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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
SARB: Southern African Regional Biosafety Program
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
http://www.usaid.gov
Press: (202) 712-4320
Public Information: (202) 712-4810
2003-069
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2003
Background
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has made increased access to biotechnological applications for crop and livestock productivity one of its policy priorities. However, in the absence of government regulatory approval, the private sector will not invest in or transfer biotechnological applications. Among SADC countries, only South Africa and Zimbabwe currently have national biosafety regulations. Many countries in the region plan to ratify the Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) but few have the capacity to manage its implications or to implement its requirements. Many of the provisions of the CPB and the Codex Alimentarius could be implemented regionally, harmonizing capacity and cost sharing.
Objective
The overall objective of the Southern African Regional Biosafety Program (SARB) is to build regional policy and technical capacity supportive of science-based regulation of the development, commercial application and trade in agricultural products derived from modern biotechnology in the Southern African region. The specific objective is laying the regulatory foundation to support field testing of genetically engineered products in four SADC countries by 2003.
Activities
Seven major activities are planned:
- Establishment of a regional working group from core countries
- Conducting a regional workshop on biosafety needs and priorities
- Holding a regional media course
- Conducting a regional workshop on biosafety risk assessment
- Conducting in-country biosafety capacity building courses in core countries
- Conducting a risk assessment trial on geneflow of sorghum
- Undertaking a "biotechnology in action" tour to China
Expected Results
The SARB is expected to yield the following results:
- Establishment of regional working groups and regional workshops,
- Capacity building courses held in two countries and
- Field trials in four countries with applications evaluated. Each will test the regulatory frameworks of countries implementing biosafety guidelines.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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