Agri-biotech and Communication Workshops in Egypt

The International Food Information Council Foundation organized two communication workshops in collaboration with the Egyptian Biotechnology Information Center to address the most pressing communications needs of regulatory officials, scientists, and other stakeholders in Egypt.

The first communication workshop on agricultural biotechnology was held on April 28, 2014. It was held for officials, scientists, and other stakeholders who need to communicate the risks and benefits of agricultural biotechnology. Dr. Martina Newell-McGloughlin, Adjunct Professor at University of California Davis, talked about the current status of agricultural biotechnology in the U.S. and key world regions and insights from farmers from Argentina and India. Other topics discussed in the workshop were measuring and developing public understanding; the value of consumer attitudinal research; and misconceptions, barriers, and opportunities confronting biotechnology in Egypt.

A media workshop on communicating food science was held on April 29, 2014 which responded to the interests and concerns of key Egyptian media representatives. It clarified the safety of approved products of food and agricultural biotechnology, and helped the media to differentiate between sound science and the opinion of sectoral advocates that had created unsubstantiated fear and apprehension.

Obtain details of the workshop by emailing Dr. Naglaa Abdalla of the Egypt Biotechnology Information Center at naglaa_a@hotlmail.com.