BIO 2003 African Delegation to Highlight Ag Biotechnology and its Impact on Food Aid and Trade
| WHAT: | A delegation of African scientists, researchers, and farmers, including the author of a book on adopting biotechnology for African crops, will convene at The National Press Club to discuss the need for agricultural biotechnology in the developing world and Africa in particular. The African delegation will serve as panelists in the food and agriculture section at the 2003 BIO Convention, held at the Washington Convention Center beginning Monday, June 23rd. |
| WHO: | - Florence Wambugu, Kenyan scientist and founder, A Harvest Biotech Foundation International - Thandiwe Myyeni, Bt smallholder cotton grower Natal Province - Peter Rammutla, President, National Africa Farmers Union - Jocelyn Webster, Executive Director, AfricaBio |
| WHY: | Biotechnology has already brought great benefits to Africa, with biotech cotton, and white and yellow maize. These economic benefits are important for Africa, since 70 percent of the African population relies on agriculture for their sole source of income. Ninety percent of sub-Saharan Africa’s agricultural trade is with Europe, so there’s great interest in a WTO case recently filed by the United States against the European Union’s moratorium on agricultural biotech products. |
| WHEN: | Friday, June 20, 2003, 12:00 -2:00 p.m. Lunch will be served |
| WHERE: | The Murrow Room, National Press Club, 524 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC |