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Biotechnology Stakeholders Association

Biotechnology Stakeholders Association. Why was AfricaBio created?. Provide biotechnology stakeholders with a platform for biotechnology in SA and Africa To address a strong misinformation campaign in SA media on modern biotechnology

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Biotechnology Stakeholders Association

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  1. Biotechnology Stakeholders Association

  2. Why was AfricaBio created? • Provide biotechnology stakeholders with a platform for biotechnology in SA and Africa • To address a strong misinformation campaign in SA media on modern biotechnology • The information was European with no reference or relevance to African conditions • Our experience had shown that there was relevance for biotechnology in Africa • A moratorium would prevent South Africa accessing and testing relevant technologies

  3. AfricaBio was initiated by: • Academics • Food retailers • Life science and seed companies • Food producers • National research organisations (Focused on food and agriculture) until 2002

  4. Mission statement AfricaBio seeks to promote the enhancement of life through the safe,ethical and responsible development and application of biotechnology and the products derived from it. Non-profit, non-political, Section 21 Company Biotechnology Stakeholders Association

  5. AfricaBio’s role • Make available accurate information. • Encourage informed debate. • Promote safe, ethical and responsible use of biotechnology. • Interact with government and civil society. • Interact with international bodies. • Provide education and training. • Stimulate new biotechnology development

  6. AfricaBio’s Structure • Board of Governors • 9 board members • Rep:Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa • Team of 8-12 staff • Working Groups: • Public Awareness and Media • Scientific & Research • Education & Training • Policy and Food Chain Working Group

  7. Current Membership – August 2002 • ~ 90 members • Academics • Educational institutes and schools • Food retailers • Food processors • Food distributors and associated industries • Food producers (farmers organisations) • National R&D institutes • Biotechnology companies • Invited guests: • Consumer organisations • Government and regulators

  8. Information dissemination • Web-site + query option: www.africabio.com • Newsletter: BioLines • Press releases and media forums • Workshops and Conferences e.g. WSSD planning • Information brochures (local languages) • Presentations – industry, civil society

  9. Some Current Projects • Communication • Consumer research • Education and Training: e.g.industry, schools, communities • Small-scale farmer research • Support to policy development • SMME support – bioincubator • Networking in Africa and internationally

  10. Public Awareness • Consumers, Industry and Regulators agree that consumers have a right to know what they are eating • Labels will assist a small percentage of African consumers, but are costly and give little information (CODEX) • Awareness campaigns needed to reach the general public • GOAL = informed decision making

  11. A credible awareness campaign • 75% South Africans do not know about GMOs(FEST-2001) • Balanced and accurate information that addresses benefits and concerns • Who should inform the public? • 17% government • 15% industry • 32% nutritionist • 31% biotechnology association (Pretoria Technikon , 2001)

  12. Networking • AfricaBio recognised internationally • Collaborate, don’t duplicate • Africa: • SARB • ABSF • SABRAD • BTA • BTZ • FAO • UNEP • Rockefeller public awareness project • Internationally • Provide information on biotechnology needs and activities in Africa • Initiate and develop partnerships

  13. Contact details: • E-mail: africabio@mweb.co.za • Tel: +27 12 667 2689 • Fax: +27 12 667 1920 • Web-site: www.africabio.com

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