Transgenic Crops in East Asia Status Perception and

“Transgenic Crops in East Asia: Status, Perception and Regulatory Challenges” Andrew D. Powell, Ph. D. ARB Consultants Singapore KRIBB Conference, Seoul, May 2003

Presentation Summary • More People, Less Land: - challenges on a macro level • Agriculture in Asia • GM Adoption and current status of R and D • Public private Sector Partnership • Public Perception • Biosafety • Closing comments

Challenges § More people üIncreasing demand for food and fiber ü~ 7 billion by 2015 ü 80% in developing countries ü 95% of all growth in developing countries

Stark reality “In the next 50 years, mankind will consume as much food as we have consumed since the beginning of agriculture 10, 000 years ago - Clive James”

Challenges §Less arable land (developing countries) ü 1961 –. 5 ha per capita ü 1992 –. 2 ha per capita ü 2050 –. 1 ha per capita § 2 billion ha of arable land suffer from moderate to severe soil degradation

Green Revolution Fatigue Yield improvements for cereals tapering off v. Conventional Plant Improvement Methods are Reaching their Limits v. Agricultural Growth is Now 1% Compared To 3% in 1970 s

• Asia’s population continues to increase • Reduction in per capita farm land • Further requirement for agricultural intensification • Spare remaining wilderness land from development

Role of Agriculture in Asia (CIA factbook)

Global area of GM crops, mha (1996 to 2002) 60 58. 7 Total Industrial Countries Developing Countries 50 42. 7 40 30 16. 7 20 10 0 1995 1996 Source: Clive James, 2001 Industrial Developing 1997 1998 23. 4 (84%) 4. 4 (a 16%) 1999 32. 8 (82%) 7. 1 (18%) 2000 33. 5 (76%) 10. 7 (24%) 2001 39. 1 (74%) 13. 5 (26%) 2002

Global Transgenic Crops, 2002

Real Benefits for Real People • • • Better Yields Increased profits Less pesticide use (better targeted use) Better health Reduced pollution

Crop biotechnology R&D Indonesia • Government encouraging participation of private companies in establishing bio-industries • Public and private sector initiatives on biotech R&D • First ASEAN country to produce GM crop in commercial scale • 4000 ha of Bt cotton in 7 districts of South Sulawesi province during first season; >8000 ha of Bt cotton expected to be grown second season • Multi-location field tests conducted for Bt corn, Bt cotton, Bt potato, HT corn, HT cotton, and HT soybean

Bt cotton in Indonesia • More than 80% increase in net income • Profit advantage of more than Rp 600 thousand • Less pesticide use (from 10 sprays/season to 1 -2/season) • Better maintenance

Crop biotechnology R&D Malaysia v. Strong government support for R&D, infrastructure, and human resource development v. US$26. 3 million allocated for biotechnology research v. R&D for transgenic crops conducted primarily by public research institutes v. GM crops under development include rice, papaya, oil palm, rubber, pomelo, orchids, and chili v. First contained field trial for DR papaya underway

Crop biotechnology R&D Philippines v Crop biotech R&D program focusing on: Rice Corn Banana Papaya Mango Coconut v Multi-location field trials of Bt corn have shown very encouraging results; field trials for BB rice v Guidelines for GMO importation and commercialization issued by the DA (effective July 2003) v Significant number of initiatives on social acceptance and biosafety; more consistent and positive Government support v 2 applications for commercial release have been submitted (GM corn)- now approved

Crop biotechnology R&D Thailand Transgenic crops being developed Crop Trait Papaya PRSV resistance, longer shelf life Tomato delayed ripening Cotton insect resistance (Bt) Maize insect resistance (Bt), herbicide tolerance Rice Chili insect resistance, tungro resistance virus resistance (CMV) Orchids longer shelf life, better flower color

Crop biotechnology R&D Vietnam Crops Biotechnology Rice Hybrid, gene transformation Maize Diagnosis Potato In vitro tuberization Sweet potato Insect resistance (Bt) Cassava Propagation Soybean Abiotic stress tolerance, Rhizobia strains Sugarcane Germplasm, propagation, rust and stem borer resistance Papaya PSV resistance Cotton Insect resistance (Bt) Source: Nguyen 2000

Taiwan- crops in biotechnology research programs include garlic, onion, eggplant, mungbean, peppers, tomato, rice, and brassicas. Increased funding to biotech research Japan has approved 43 products derived from GM crops for sale (corn, soybean, potato, sugarbeet, rapeseed, cotton). It has commercialized 1 GM crop (petunia) Labeling policy in place and Japan remains cautious over GMOs

Crop biotechnology R&D China § Funding for agri-biotech R&D comes entirely from the government § Now second to USA in agri-biotech R&D investment § US$112 million invested in 1999 - increase of 400% by 2005 § 141 GM crops developed § 45 approved for field trials § 65 approved for environmental release § 4 crops approved for commercialization

The China Bt Cotton Experience • 1. 5 million hectares in 2001 - 1/3 cotton area • 2 Bt cotton sources: public and private • 80% less insecticides; 13 sprays; 15, 000 t; 50 kg/ha • Dramatic reduction in poisonings • Production costs lower by 20 -23% • Income up by $185 -400/ha; /capita of $250 • >2 million small farmers adopt Bt cotton and capture 80 to 85% of benefits; rest went to seed producers or research companies Source: Pray et al. , 2000

Crop biotechnology R&D India § Public sector investments of US$15 million per year; private sector spending US$10 million per year § R&D for transgenic rice, maize, wheat, cotton, brassica, mungbean, and potato § commercial planting of 3 Bt cotton cultivars approved by GEAC in March 2002 ~50, 000 ha planted this season ~300, 000 ha expected to be planted next season § long delay before biosafety approval - debate not entirely centered on specific biohazards but MNC control, etc

Asian Rice Biotechnology Network: New lines with pyramided genes for bacterial blight resistance released in Indonesia in 2001 Angke for IR 64 xa 5 (Bio-1) Conde for IR 64 Xa 7 (Bio-2)

Public Perception / Acceptance Email gcairns@afic. org Website www. afic. org

Specific items checked in food labels (Q 4 c) Base: All who ever checked food labels (573)

Concerns about food Importance rating Not at all important (Q 3) Base: All respondents (600) Very Important

Any action taken in the last 6 months to avoid or seek out genetically modified foods? (Q 15 a) Base: All respondents (600)

Perceived Advantages of Food Biotechnology Total No. of spontaneous suggestions = 986 CHINA PHILIPPINES INDONESIA Improves yield of crops (71%) Improves yield of crops (36%) Improves yield of crops (54%) Enhanced nutritional value (66%) Faster production (34%) Enhanced nutritional value (48%) Plants would be resistant to insect attack (44%) Enhanced nutritional value (27%) Plants resistant to insect attack (36%) Improves taste of food (26%) More efficient methods of producing crops (26%) Improves taste of food (25%)

Perceived Disadvantages of Food Biotechnology Total No. Spontaneous suggestions= 262 CHINA PHILIPPINES May cause side effects (11%) May cause side effects (24%) Lessens the original taste (10%) More chemicals harmful to body (15%) Technology too expensive for farmers (18%) Less nutrients due to chemicals (7%) No Disadvantages (12%) No Disadvantages (28%) INDONESIA More chemicals harmful to body (17%) May cause allergies (16%) Technology too expensive for farmers (13%) No Disadvantages (26%)

“The government would not allow biotechnology foods to be sold if they were unsafe” (Q 10. 3) Base: All respondents (600)

Would you try genetically modified corn snacks if offered now? (Q 16) Base: All respondents (600)

Have you eaten any DNA? (Q 9 b) Base: All respondents (600)

“Ordinary soybeans don’t contain genes but GM soybeans do”

Time Technical documents in scientific journals and government reports Expert risk assessments News items, offhand remarks, interest-group reports The vacuum Risk Information Gap Public risk perceptions

Most important sources of information for food-related health and safety matters AFIC survey, 2002 Newspapers TV 45% 54% Posters 14% Countryspecific (see next slide) 30% Government 600 14% consumers Doctors Radio 9% 54% Dept of Health Magazines 31%% 8% (Open-ended question, unlimited spontaneous responses)

Biosafety The need for all developing countries to have functioning biosafety systems has increased since the adoption of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) Status of ratification: Asian countries

Biosafety Regulations in ASEAN A work in progress • Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand Singapore- have a elements of a policy in place but full legislation is expected soon • Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Bruniei Darussalam, and Vietnam*- very early stages of policy development

Lack of human resources and infrastructure A Major Roadblock to Legislation Development and Implementation • Addressed by international groups – – – APEC ISAAA ACIAR ILSI / SOM-AMAF / ASEAN ISNAR etc.

Labeling Status Country Labeling (Threshold) Brunei Cambodia Laos N N N Indonesia Malaysia Myanmar Philippines Singapore Thailand Vietnam Y Y N N N Y Y (Undecided) (3%) (Under Review) (5%) (Undecided)

x Thank you Andrew D. Powell adpowell@pacific. net. sg