Islamabad, Pakistan
May 28, 2008
USDA/FAS GAIN report number PK
8022
http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200805/146294758.pdf
Highlights
Pakistan and
Monsanto have signed a
Letter of Intent (LOI) for extending mutual cooperation in
agricultural biotechnology. The initial focus will be to
develop genetically engineered cotton suitable for
Pakistan’s agronomic conditions, followed by other crops
with a variety of traits.
On May 13, 2008, the Government of
Pakistan’s (GOP) Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock
(MINFAL) signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Monsanto to begin
mutual cooperation in advanced transgenic technology. The
cabinet-level Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) authorized
MINFAL to sign this agreement in technical collaboration in
agricultural biotechnology with Monsanto with the intent of
expanding and improving the quality of Pakistan’s troubled
cotton crop.
Monsanto will utilize its commercialized product Bollgard (event
MON531) and other cotton technology in Pakistan in an
as-yet-to-be-determined financial arrangement. The LOI extends
to other commercial crops as well including corn, soybeans and
vegetables. Sources indicated that enactment of the Plant
Breeders Rights Bill 2008 and the Seed (Amendment) Bill 2008 by
the parliament were also discussed at the ECC meeting. The
failure to pass these bills into law is viewed as a major
obstacle in the development of genetically engineered crops for
Pakistan. At the May 13 meeting, the ECC also recommended
promulgation of these two bills by the President of Pakistan.
Establishment of Consultative and Steering Committees
Now that the LOI has been signed, the GOP and Monsanto are in
the process of selecting members for two committees: a
Consultative Committee and a Steering Committee. The
Consultative Committee is responsible for developing an initial
work plan, proposing future cooperative agreements, joint
preparation of outlines covering goals and objectives, work
plans for research methodologies and procedures and establishing
milestones for achievement. That committee will also deliberate
on finalization of modalities of compensation/royalties to
Monsanto for its technology. The Steering Committee will be a
governing body with responsibility for all aspects of the LOI.
Agreement is a Major Development for Pakistan Agriculture
Pakistani farmers, scientists, ginners, the textile industry and
policymakers have hailed this agreement as a major development
towards enhancing cotton productivity in Pakistan. Cotton
production has steadily declined over the past four years,
dropping from 14.3 million bales in 2004/05 to 11.3 million
bales in 2007/08. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s close neighbors, India
and China, have achieved significant increases in cotton
production based on collaboration with Monsanto in biotech
cotton varieties.
The farm community of Pakistan is fully supportive of biotech
cotton as evidenced by the fact that at least 40 percent of last
year’s cotton crop was planted to illegal/unapproved Bt cotton.
The figure will likely double for this year’s cotton crop.
Biosafety System and Related Developments
Pakistan maintains a large infrastructure of 29 state-owned
biotech research centers. Biosafety mechanisms are in place to
monitor and evaluate applications for products of genetic
engineering. Monsanto has submitted an application to the
National Biosafety Committee of the GOP’s Environmental
Protection Agency to allow the import of Bt cotton hybrids from
India. The request is expected to be approved. Moreover,
Monsanto Pakistan also requested permission to begin field
trials of hybrids of Bt cotton during the current crop season
(2008-09) for fast-track evaluation and adoption in Pakistan.
In addition to Monsanto’s application, the U.S. biotech company
DuPont/Pioneer Hi-Bred has
submitted to Pakistan authorities an application for their
hybrid GM corn “Hercules.”
Agriculture the Domain of Provinces
Under the Constitution of Pakistan, major responsibility for
most agricultural issues is assigned at the provincial level.
Consequently, there is constant confusion between Federal and
Provincial governments on the biotech issue.
The Government of the Punjab – within which 80 percent of total
cotton area lies – has established two provincial committees to
handle biotech issues. One committee is responsible for issues
related to Monsanto while the other handles negotiations with
Chinese biotech companies.
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