2nd Annual International Biotechnology Information Conference

The goal of the 2nd Annual International Biotechnology Information Conference was to provide those responsible for the construction of national and international regulations affecting the movement of LMO's with a better understanding of the practical consequences of their decisions for the production and movement of genetically modified grain. 

This conference built on the first International Biotechnology Information Conference, held in Nebraska in 2002, and we worked this year to incorporate interaction with the UN Hunger Task Force and the World Food Prize event into our conference programming.  We feel these additions were helpful in demonstrating the large context and importance of the issue of agricultural biotechnology and the need for sustained efforts at capacity building. 

The US Grains Council and its partners consider educational efforts targeted at those responsible for the construction of international and national regulations affecting the movement of LMO's as the most effective means of facilitating meaningful capacity building. 

Similar educational efforts will define future US Grains Council efforts to affect biosafety capacity building.

National level activities
Development of national biosafety frameworks
Identification of LMOs and LMO-FFPs
Institutional strengthening
Public awareness, education and participation
Risk assessment
Risk management
Scientific, technical and institutional collaboration

Regional level activities
Coordination and harmonization of regulatory frameworks
Regional collaborative initiatives

International level activities
International guidance
Strengthening of North-South and South-South Cooperation

Goals
Demonstrate the importance of national and international regulations reflecting an understanding of the intricacies of grain handling in major producer nations.
Encourage intra-governmental communication between the national ministries responsible for the construction of regulations affecting the movement of LMO's.
Encourage inter-governmental communication to foster the construction and implementation of complimentary regulations pertaining to the movement of LMO's.
Educate decision makers on the importance of science based risk assessment
Educate decision makers on the realities of testing for the presence of events within LMO's and processed materials.

Objectives
To provide those responsible for the construction of national and international regulations affecting the movement of LMO's with a better understanding of the practical consequences of their decisions for the production and movement of genetically modified grain.

Main outcomes
Posting forthcoming

Lessons learned
Posting forthcoming

Posting forthcoming

Other collaborating organizations
Nebraska Corn Board and National Corn Growers Association