AfricaBio

Biotechnology Stakeholders Association

AfricaBio

Why was AfricaBio created?Why was AfricaBio created?• Provide biotechnology stakeholders with a

platform for biotechnology in SA and Africa• To address a strong misinformation campaign in

SA media on modern biotechnology• The information was European with no reference

or relevance to African conditions• Our experience had shown that there was

relevance for biotechnology in Africa• A moratorium would prevent South Africa

accessing and testing relevant technologies

AfricaBio

AfricaBio was initiated by:AfricaBio was initiated by:

• Academics• Food retailers• Life science and seed companies• Food producers• National research organisations

(Focused on food and agriculture)

until 2002

AfricaBio

Mission statementMission statement

AfricaBio seeks to promote the enhancement of life through the safe,ethical and responsible

development and application of biotechnology and the products derived from it.

Non-profit, non-political, Section 21 Company

Biotechnology Stakeholders Association

AfricaBio

AfricaBio’s roleAfricaBio’s role

• Make available accurate information.

• Encourage informed debate.

• Promote safe, ethical and responsible use of

biotechnology.

• Interact with government and civil society.

• Interact with international bodies.

• Provide education and training.

• Stimulate new biotechnology development

AfricaBio

AfricaBio’s StructureAfricaBio’s Structure

• Board of Governors

• 9 board members • Rep:Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa• Team of 8-12 staff• Working Groups: • Public Awareness and Media• Scientific & Research• Education & Training • Policy and Food Chain Working Group

AfricaBio

Current Membership – August Current Membership – August 20022002

• ~ 90 members• Academics• Educational institutes and schools• Food retailers• Food processors• Food distributors and associated industries• Food producers (farmers organisations)• National R&D institutes• Biotechnology companies• Invited guests:

– Consumer organisations– Government and regulators

AfricaBio

Information disseminationInformation dissemination

• Web-site + query option: www.africabio.com• Newsletter: BioLines• Press releases and media forums• Workshops and Conferences e.g. WSSD planning

• Information brochures (local languages)• Presentations – industry, civil society

AfricaBio

Some Current ProjectsSome Current Projects

• Communication• Consumer research• Education and Training: e.g. industry, schools,

communities

• Small-scale farmer research• Support to policy development• SMME support – bioincubator• Networking in Africa and internationally

AfricaBio

Public AwarenessPublic Awareness

Consumers, Industry and Regulators agree that consumers have a right to know what they are eating

Labels will assist a small percentage of African consumers, but are costly and give little information (CODEX)

Awareness campaigns needed to reach the general public

GOAL = informed decision making

AfricaBio

A credible awareness campaignA credible awareness campaign

75% South Africans do not know about GMOs(FEST-2001)

Balanced and accurate information that addresses benefits and concerns

Who should inform the public?– 17% government

– 15% industry

– 32% nutritionist

– 31% biotechnology association

(Pretoria Technikon , 2001)

AfricaBio

NetworkingNetworking• AfricaBio recognised internationally• Collaborate, don’t duplicate• Africa:

• SARB• ABSF• SABRAD• BTA• BTZ• FAO• UNEP• Rockefeller public awareness project

• Internationally• Provide information on biotechnology needs and activities in Africa• Initiate and develop partnerships

AfricaBio

Contact details:Contact details:

• E-mail: africabio@mweb.co.za• Tel: +27 12 667 2689• Fax: +27 12 667 1920

• Web-site: www.africabio.com