VZCZCXRO8140
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHLS #0025/01 0141541
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 141541Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7574
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP 0205

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LUSAKA 000025 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON EAID TBIO KPAO ZA
SUBJECT: PROPOSAL FOR FY2010 EEB BIOTECH OUTREACH RESOURCES 
 
REF: A. A. 09 STATE 122732 
     ¶B. B.09 LUSAKA 964 
     ¶C. C. LUSAKA 11 
 
LUSAKA 00000025  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
SUMMARY 
-------- 
 
¶1. (SBU) In response to Ref A solicitation for FY2010 
biotechnology outreach proposals, Embassy Lusaka requests 
support for two activities totaling USD 19,000.  The first 
proposed activity will leverage the interest within the 
Lusaka-based Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa 
(COMESA) Secretariat to overturn regional biotechnology bans 
for the sake of economic growth and food security.  The other 
proposed activity will focus on creating grass-roots 
understanding of the benefits of, and support for, the 
introduction of biotechnology to Zambia. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Public opinion about biotechnology in Zambia is 
overwhelmingly negative, resulting from negative information 
campaigns in 2002-03. Misplaced concerns about health and 
environmental implications of genetically modified organisms 
(GMO) and widespread ignorance of their benefits in combating 
hunger and increasing food security have not been adequately 
addressed since the national dialogue was effectively shut 
down after then-President Levy Mwanawasa instituted a total 
ban on GMOs in 2003.  In 2009, President Rupiah Banda 
personally requested that the Ambassador re-open the debate 
on biotechnology among the Zambian public because the 
President felt constrained by the government's (GRZ) 
hard-line, but ill-conceived, position.  After the GRZ 
convinced its people that GMO were harmful to their health 
and the environment, the Banda administration is reticent to 
get out in front of the debate. 
 
¶3. (SBU) In October 2009, Lusaka-based COMESA organized a 
one-day roundtable discussion on biotechnology that was 
supported by FY2009 biotech outreach funds (Ref B).  The 
proposed FY2010 activities will build on the momentum created 
by the roundtable, and will bring the discussion down to the 
grass-roots level to reach farmers and consumers who have 
been influenced by a negative, one-sided discussion on GMO in 
Zambia.  In preparing for the Global Hunger and Food Security 
Initiative (GHFSI), Embassy developed a comprehensive 
diplomatic engagement strategy that includes a detailed plan 
to engage the GRZ, other stakeholders and the Zambian people 
on the importance of GE acceptance to economic growth and 
food security (Ref C).  The activities proposed below will 
support Mission efforts to promote Zambian acceptance of GMO 
crops and products containing GMO, including diplomatic 
demarches, media engagement, international visitor programs 
and other outreach activities. 
 
¶4. (SBU) PROJECT ONE: COMMUNITY RADIO OUTREACH.  To increase 
public understanding of and interest in biotechnology at the 
grass-roots level, Embassy will develop or purchase a series 
of audio reports that dispel the negative myths about GMO and 
highlight the benefits biotech crops can produce in terms of 
increased output, lower input costs, and minimized 
environmental impact.  The ten- to fifteen- minute reports 
will focus on the experience of small-holder farmers in 
countries that allow GE crops, and will be distributed to 
Zambia's 32 community radio stations, which together reach 
the vast majority of rural Zambians.  To increase the 
broad-based impact of the reports, Post will translate them 
into four of Zambia's major local languages; Bemba, Nyanja, 
Tonga, and Lozi.  COMESA has indicated an interest in having 
their new biotechnology advisor assist in developing and 
narrating the first report on the myths and truths about 
biotechnology.  This project will cost approximately USD 
6,000, including the reports (USD 1,000), interpretation 
services (USD 3,200), and production and distribution costs 
(USD 1,800). Once developed, the reports could be used as a 
resource by other Missions in the region. 
 
¶5. (SBU) PROJECT TWO:  BEST PRACTICES WORKSHOP.  With a 
COMESA biotech advisor now in place, the COMESA Secretariat 
is eager to continue to push the dialogue on biotechnology 
forward to create a rational, regional biotechnology 
regulatory framework that will help member countries become 
food secure by allowing cultivation of and trade in biotech 
crops.  The Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and 
Southern Africa (ACTESA), a COMESA organization supported by 
USAID, would like to organize a workshop in Lusaka for 
government officials, private sector stakeholders, and 
journalists that would build on the success of the October 
2009 roundtable.  The best practices workshop will focus on 
the experience of three African countries that allow or will 
allow GMOs: Egypt, Burkina Faso, and Kenya.  Post requests 
outreach funds to support one speaker from each of the three 
countries and to pay for conference facilities in Lusaka. 
 
LUSAKA 00000025  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
ACTESA will facilitate participation in the workshop by 
neighboring COMESA member countries.  This project will cost 
approximately USD 13,000, including airfare (USD 1,800 x 3), 
per diem and honoraria (USD 1,253 x 3) and conference 
facility and administration (USD 3,841). 
 
¶6. Post's point of contact for ag-biotech issues is: 
 
Phil Nervig 
Economic Officer 
Embassy Lusaka 
260-211-250-955 x2241 
nervigpb@state.gov 
BOOTH