Veneman hails biotech conference success

By KIM BACA
Associated Press Writer

SACRAMENTO (AP) The largest gathering of international agriculture ministers to discuss biotechnology was hailed Wednesday as a success for uniting agribusiness with developing countries and researchers overseas.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said partnerships that foreign countries forged with corporations and researchers will improve technology and lead to better ways to irrigate drought-stricken lands.

``A seed has been planted,'' Veneman said. ``Out of these discussions, a seed can grow into more discussions.''

But critics of the talks claimed the seed was genetically altered and would harm human health. Demonstrators who attempted to derail the conference staged mostly peaceful protests that drew attention away from foreign ministers and to the streets of the state capital.

More than 1,000 people rallied over three days, proclaiming that genetically modified foods weren't the answer to the world's food problems. At least 70 demonstrators were taken into custody. Critics also said the United States was attempting to lower trade barriers and push risky science on struggling nations.

The show went on without problems, but it was overshadowed outside by a huge police presence to quell potential disturbances. The capital seemed like a ghost town at times, with police in riot gear on bikes, horseback and foot outnumbering people on the streets.

The conference was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to discuss ways to end world hunger and poverty. It focused largely on biotechnology as a means of reducing starvation, improving nutrition and boosting economies through bigger harvests and less pesticide use.

Agriculture ministers, scientists and health care experts came from more than 100 countries to attend. Veneman said she received thanks for giving corporate officials, researchers and agriculture officials access to the delegates of the Ministerial Conference and Expo on Agricultural Science and Technology.

Veneman said the next steps are to expand research to farmers, continue partnerships with scientists in developing countries and possibly start regional conferences.

Veneman denied accusations that the conference was a plan to open trade talks before the World Trade Organization's ministerial conference in Cancun, Mexico, in September. But she said trade can help aid developing nations.

On Tuesday, Tito Barbini, regional minister for agriculture in Tuscany, Italy, criticized the United States for hosting an international conference without representation from the European Union.

EU ministers were notably absent at a time when the United States is demanding that the WTO force the EU to end its ban on genetically modified food.

The EU's agriculture representative in Washington said EU ministers were invited but canceled because the union is closing talks on agricultural reform. He said Germany, France, Spain have sent delegates.

Like European consumers, some participants at the conference questioned the health risks of genetically altered crops and voiced concern about corporations creating a monopoly by controlling seed supply. Others discussed problems about adopting technology or food that didn't have an overseas market or didn't work in their countries.

Ahmed Yousuf Nuristani, water and environment minister in Afghanistan, said anything to increase yields or improve crops would have a great impact on health in his country after years of war and unrest. But biotechnology wasn't the solution.

``We realize that technology alone cannot be the answer to all our problems,'' he said. ``Effective management of our resources is also critical and it requires commitment and effort on our part.''

Drinah Nyirenda, a nutritionist in Zambia who works with 200,000 farmers in a food distribution program, said she understands how countries can easily leap at solutions they don't fully comprehend. Zambia has rejected genetically modified corn donated by the United States citing health concerns, but now faces a massive food shortage caused by drought, she said.

``For us in the developing countries, we feel with biotechnology, we should take our time and build the capacity to be able to understand what we're dealing with,'' she said. ``In the meantime, we would like to continue with the conventional methods of producing foods, using methods that won't harm the environment.''

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On the Net:

Ministerial Conference and Expo on Agricultural Science and Technology:

http://www.fas.usda.gov/icd/stconf/conf info.html

International Forum on Globalization: http://www.ifg.org

Protest information: http://sacmobilization.org

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)