Assistant US Trade Representative Jim Murphy Honored as BIO Legislator of the Year

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Wednesday, April 16, 2008) - The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) announced today its selection of Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Agricultural Affairs James M. Murphy, Jr. as Legislator of the Year for 2007-2008. The award was presented to Mr. Murphy as part of the BIO Legislative Day Fly-In.

“Throughout 2007 Mr. Murphy worked diligently with industry and European officials on the WTO agricultural biotechnology moratorium trade dispute.  And, over the past ten years, his patience, insight and skillful negotiating have focused global attention on the EU’s illegal prohibitions on agricultural biotechnology,” said BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood.  “He is hands down the most influential and supportive US government official on agricultural biotech trade matters this year.”

A seventeen year veteran of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Murphy presently coordinates U.S. agricultural trade policy among all government agencies that deal with trade. He also oversees agricultural issues in the negotiation of trade agreements with foreign governments.

During the BIO Legislative Day Fly-In, more than 200 biotechnology industry representatives from 36 states will participate in hundreds of meetings with key Members of the House and Senate. Participants will discuss issues critical to the biotechnology industry, including agricultural biotechnology regulations, biofuels, patent reform, and appropriations.

Upcoming BIO Events

 ·   BIO National Venture Conference 
    April 22-23, 2008
    Boston, Mass.

 ·   World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioprocessing  
    April 27-30, 2008
    Chicago, Ill.

 ·   2008 BIO International Convention 
    June 17-20, 2008
    San Diego, Calif.

 ·  Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy
    Sept. 10-12, 2008
    Vancouver, B.C., Canada

 

About BIO
BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the annual BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world.

 

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