Stakeholder Partnership for Biotechnology and Agricultural
Modernization – Shared Experiences of the Biotech Coalition of the Philippines
Abraham Manalo Kathmandu, Nepal15 November 2011
Outline
• Philippine Situationo The problem theno A response – creation of the Biotech Coalition
• Case Studies on Effective Partnershipo On capacity buildingo On product stewardshipo On public participation and educationo Special case: halal standards
The Anti-Biotech Environment…
The problem then: Advances in modern biotechnology were not fully exploited in the Philippines, particularly in the area of agriculture due to strong anti-biotech lobbying.
A response to counter wrong information about the technology and identify experts/champions
on biotech
The Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines (BCP), a civil society organization registered at the Philippines in 2002, is a multi-sectoral coalition of advocates for the safe and responsible use of modern biotechnology for the country
Industry
Science Community
Local Farmer OrganizationsAcademe & Research Instituions
Religious, Media, Other CSOs
BCP
BCP Members
BCP Mission Statement
“To contribute to national development goals of eradicating poverty, achieving food security, improving health, and sustaining the environment by harnessing the actual and potential benefits of modern biotechnology through its safe and responsible use.”
Phil. Case Studies on Effective Partnership
1. Capacity building for the safe and responsible use of modern biotechnology
2. Product stewardship: the insect resistance management (IRM) strategy for Bt corn
3. IEC activities for meaningful public participation and education
4. Evidence-based policymaking: the case of the Philippine national standards on halal food
I. Partnership for Capacity Building1. Co-organizing and sharing of resources, expertise,
facilities, other logistics
2. Involves both institutional and individual capacitation; for policy and regulatory agencies, independent scientists, public research institutions
3. Includes: basics of molecular biology & biotech, conduct of field trials, laboratory testing & techniques, food safety, environmental safety, risk assessment & management, sampling & detection, safety assessment of specific biotech crops, post-approval monitoring
1160 50
128
314348 327
543
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Are
a ('0
00 h
a) Mindanao
Visayas
Luzon
Philippine Biotech Corn Hectarageby Major Island, 2003-2010
* Includes Insect-Resistant, Herbicide-Tolerant and Stacked-Trait Corns
Source: BPI, 2011
Corn Production in the Philippines, 2000-2009
-
1,000,000
2,000,000
3,000,000
4,000,000
5,000,000
6,000,000
7,000,000
8,000,000
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009Year
hect
ares
| m
etri
c to
ns
-
0.500
1.000
1.500
2.000
2.500
3.000
Yie
ld (t
ons p
er h
ecta
re)
Area (hectares)
Total Production(metric tons)
Yield (ton perhectare)
Biotech Corn Adoption
Source: BAS, DA, 2010; compiled by ISAAA (R. Hautea 2010)
BIOTECH CORN IN PHILIPPINES
BIOTECH CORN REGULAR CORNYIELD
+ 20 to 37%
INCOME~Php 12,500/Ha
Sources: JYorobe; GRamon (2005); LGonzales (2005)
II. Partnership on Product Stewardship
o Product stewardship – responsible management of a product from inception thru to its use & discontinuation
o Insect resistance management (IRM) for Bt corn –necessary strategy involving all concerned stakeholders to delay development of pest resistance to Bt corn thus prolonging its effective use
Gene Discovery
Plant Development
Seed Marketing & Distribution
Crop Production
Crop Utilization
ProductDiscontinuation
Biotech Plant Product Life Cycle
Seed Production
Approved IRM plan (involving technology developer, government, farmers, scientists, other stakeholders)
High Dose Bt protein
expression in plant
Natural Refuge for susceptible
borer population
Monitoring and remedial
actions
IPM & alternative
control measures
Education and training
Insect Resistance Management(IRM) Plan
Region 1 – Pangasinan
Reg. 2 – CagayanIsabela
Reg. 3 – Pampanga
Reg. 10 – Bukidnon
Reg. 12 – South CotabatoSultan Kudarat
National Farmer Acceptability Survey (2005)
n = 926
Source: G Ramon (BCP), 2005
*Alcantara, Edwin (2011). Monitoring of Bt Corn Resistance Development in the Asian Corn Borer (ACB)
Conclusions of the government-commissioned study*:
o Philippine corn borer populations are highly susceptible to crystalline protein of Bt corn.
o After 4 years of monitoring for possible field-evolved resistance, corn borer populations in the Philippines remain susceptible to Bt corn hybrids.
Evidence on Successful Implementation of the Phil. IRM Plan –
III. Partnership for Public Participation & Education
Different modalities employed include:1. Conduct of public seminar, forum, scientific symposium, roundtable discussions2. Conduct of one-on-one dialogues with key stakeholders, focused group
discussions3. Guest appearances on TV and radio programs4. Writing of news features and press releases5. Production of books on the different aspects of biotechnology and biosafety;
other printed materials (primers, brochures, newsletters, magazines, comic books, posters)
6. Production of documentary videos and instructional CDs7. Development of dedicated websites on biotech and biosafety; maintenance of e-
newsletters, email distributions lists and discussion groups8. Conduct of study tours, laboratory demos, biotech farm visits, biotech fairs and
exhibits9. Others: biotech journalism awards, biotech quiz contests, biotech games
Biotechnology information materials
Media Outreach and Press Releases
National Biotech Quiz
Asian Farmers’ Exchange Programs
Public Seminars
Exhibits
Annual Biotech Journalism Awards
National Biotech Week (every last week of November)
Comparative perception on perceived benefits of food biotech in the next 5 years –the five (5) representative countries
%
35%
55%
10%
China
25%
70%5%
India Philippines
18%
73%
9%
Japan Korea
45%
24%
31%71%
11%18%
Yes
No
Don't Know
Results from:
“Consumer Perceptions of Food Biotechin Asia: 2008 Consumer Survey”
by the Asian Food Information Center
Philippines: Awareness about plant biotechnology is high and positively correlates with favorability and acceptance of biotechnology to produce foods.
73% of respondents expectbenefits from food biotechnology
78% of respondents have a neutralor favorable impression of using biotechnology to produce foods
Perceived benefits of food biotechnology in the next 5Y
Attitude toward biotech food
Don't know18%
Yes73%
No9%
quite favorable18%
neutral 19%
quite unfav16%
very unfavorable0%
no opinion 6%
very favorable41%
Source: AFIC, 2008
IV. Partnership for Evidence-Based Policy: Phil. National Standard (PNS) on Halal Food
o From 2008, there was active engagement with the Filipino Muslim community, especially the Ulama, to address the issue of non-certification as halal of biotech-derived food
o Original PNS provision concerning biotech-derived food: Section 13.3: Food derived from genetically engineered food cannot be subject to halal certification.
Source: FAHIM, World Halal Forum 2009, Malaysia
With the endorsement of the ulama, the TWG of DTI recently voted unanimously to endorse the amendment of the Halal Standards
for the safe and responsible use of biotechnology
Thank you
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