The experience of the Biotech Coalition in the Philippines?

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

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543

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200

300

400

500

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2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Are

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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

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0.500

1.000

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2.500

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Yie

ld (t

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ecta

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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