Vietnamese Nat'l Assembly Members and Provincial Agriculture Officers Briefed on Biotech Benefits

As Vietnam is gearing up towards possible commercialization of biotech corn, 46 members of the National Assembly and representatives from government ministries (Ministry of Science and Technology and Agriculture and Research and Development), as well as 38 provincial agriculture officers and members of the academe were briefed on biotechnology and its benefits, in two separate fora. Officers of the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Science Dr. Trinh Khac Quang and Dr. Nguyen Van Tao, as well as US Agricultural Counselor Mr. Mark Dries welcomed the participants and expressed appreciation on their interest to learn about the technology and its benefits in Vietnam. This is an opportune time to conduct the two events, held last June 21 and 23 at Sofitel Plaza Hotel, Hanoi, as Vietnam is due to complete field trials of biotech corn.

Vietnamese scientists Dr. Le Huy Ham, Director General of the Agriculture Genetics Institute discussed the science of biotechnology and current biotech research in Vietnam and Dr. Pham Van Toan elaborated on the biotech regulatory capacity in the country. Philippine Department of Agriculture Chair of the Biotechnology Advisory team Dr. Saturnina C. Halos discussed the regional perspective on the benefits and safety of biotech crops, while Dr. Rhodora R. Aldemita of ISAAA provided the global perspective, as well as gave insights on the benefits that accrue to small scale farmers. Discussions in the two fora centered on food, feed and environmental safety, effects on biodiversity and the economic improvement of farmers' lives, exemplified by Filipino farmers.

The two events were organized by ISAAA, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and Agbiotech VN, with support from the United States Department of Agriculture, Hanoi.

For details, contact knowledgecenter@isaaa.org.