The First International Forum on GMO Development in Agriculture

Beijing, China, Late September 2006

Modern biotechnology as one of the frontier technologies is becoming a new engine to push the global economy development in 21st century. Agriculture is a major area for application of the modern biotechnology. For the purposes of discussing the strategies and key issues on the development of agricultural GMO technology, we are going to hold “The First International Forum on GMO Development in Agriculture” in Beijing in late September, 2006 with the authorization of the Biosafety Office of GMOs under the Ministry of Agriculture. The forum seeks to raise awareness of agricultural GMO technology issues, advance economic development and enhance the ability of to apply this technology safely. This forum is organized for both governmental decision-makers and technical experts to exchange and discuss multidisciplinary policy views, trade implications, implementation experiences, effective communication practices, benefits, environmental effects, human health and food safety impacts of agricultural GMO technology.

◆ Theme
The Development and Safety of Agricultural GMO Technology

◆ Venue &Time
20th -21st  2006.  Friendship Hotel, Beijing, China.

◆ Organizer
China Association of Agricultural Science Societies

◆ Content
There will be a plenary session and two parallel sessions to the forum. Session A will be on “Policy and Society”, Session B will be on “Science and Safety”. The forum will bring together representatives of government, industry, the scientific community and environmental and consumer groups to explore how scientific knowledge and civil society views on the safety of agricultural GMO technology is accessed and taken into account in the various international institutions and decision-making bodies. The aim will be to provide an open dialogue where all stakeholders from both developed and developing countries can highlight their concerns and needs, including some that may be specific to developing countries. During the forum, a field tour to some GMO field testing sites will be provided.

◆ Paper submission
The forum welcomes research and review papers from all participants. A collection of papers will be published.

Session A: Policy and Society
The following questions will be addressed in this session:
What are the roles of the national and international bodies which deal with agricultural GMO technology?
How is scientific knowledge used in consensus-building and decision-making in these governmental bodies?
How is communication between regulators, scientists and civil society provided for?
Case study of GMO regulations
Capacity buildings in developing countries
Labeling and import and export control of Agricultural GMOs
Impacts on social-economy and trade.

Session B: Science and Safety
The following questions will be addressed in this session:
-  What are the recent developments in the state of the science of agricultural GMOs?
Research and development of GMO biotechnology
-  What are the recent developments in the state of the science of food and environmental safety?
Environmental effects of agricultural GMOs
Food safety and health aspects of agricultural GMOs
GMO detection and monitoring.

The paper shall be submitted through E-mail in either English or Chinese with abstract in English. The deadline for paper submission is July 20, 2006.

All participants shall send the registration form to the Academic Dept. of China Association of Agricultural Science Societies through fax or E-mail no later than July 31st, 2006.

The forum will make arrangement for conference discount hotel accommodation and meals for all participants. However, participants will have to be responsible for their cost of international airfare and hotel accommodation.

The exact dates for the forum will be informed soon. For any further information, please contact:
Ms An Yan, Ms Xing Kexia
Phone: 86-10-64194487 64194497
Fax: 86-10-64194449
Email: nxhxshb@126.com