International Conference on Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Plants
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April 15, 2012-April 17, 2012
Dhaka, Bangladesh
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The Agriculture & Food Systems Institute’s Center for Environmental Risk Assessment and the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences convened a conference on the environmental risk assessment (ERA) of genetically engineered (GE) plants in Dhaka, Bangladesh from April 15-17, 2012. This conference was organized under the South Asia Biosafety Program, with support from the Bangladesh Department of the Environment and the Pakistan Strategy Support Program. Scientists from Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Nepal participated.
Agenda
Program Overview
Presentations about topics important to the regulation and environmental risk assessment of GE plants were presented by experts from around the world. Topics included international experience with ERA, the development of GE plants and their regulation in South Asia, select topics on ERA, and post release stewardship of GE plants. The final session was a panel discussion on the importance of regulatory processes for enhancing the credibility of ERA.
Session I: International Experience with Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Plants
Introduction to Environmental Risk Assessment of GE Plants
Andrew Roberts, Center for Environmental Risk Assessment, Agriculture & Food Systems Institute, USA
Contributions of the OECD to International Harmonization of ERA
Sally McCammon, OECD Working Group on the Harmonization of Regulatory Oversight in Biotechnology
Risk Assessment under the Cartagena Protocol
Sol Ortiz-Garcia, CIBIOGEM, Mexico
A Comparative Review of International Requirements for ERA of GE Plants
Vibha Ahuja, Biotech Consortium India Ltd.
Session II: National Experiences with ERA of GE Plants in South Asia
Status of GE Plant Research and Regulation of GE Plants in India
Swapan Datta, Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Ranjini Warrier, Ministry of Environment & Forests, India
Status of GE Plants Trials in Bangladesh
M.K.A. Chowdhury, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council
Trends in Research & Development of GE Plants in Bangladesh
R.H. Sarker, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Regulation of GE Plants in Bangladesh
M. Solaiman Haider, Department of Environment, Bangladesh
Status of GE Plant Research & Regulation of GE Plants in Pakistan
Yusuf Zafar, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission
Status of GE Plant Research & Regulation of GE Plants in Sri Lanka
Chandrika Nanayakkara, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
Session III: Selected Topics in ERA
Differentiating Environmental Risk Assessment and Ecological Research
Andrew Roberts, Center for Environmental Risk Assessment, Agriculture & Food Systems Institute, USA
Evaluating Adverse Environmental Impacts on Non-Target Organisms
Raymond Layton, DuPont Pioneer, USA
Considering Gene Flow to Wild and Weedy Relatives
Joe Smith, Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, Australia
Gene Flow in Centers of Origin and Biodiversity
Ariel Alvarez Morales, CIBIOGEM, Mexico
The Challenge of Addressing Biodiversity as a Protection Goal in ERA
Andrew Roberts, Center for Environmental Risk Assessment, Agriculture & Food Systems Institute, USA
Session IV: Stewardship and Resistance Management for GE Crops
Introduction to Product Stewardship Practices for Insect Resistance Management
Michael Wach, Center for Environmental Risk Assessment, Agriculture & Food Systems Institute, USA
Insect Resistance Management of Bt Crops
Raymond Layton, DuPont Pioneer, USA
Herbicide Resistance Management of GE Crops
Martin Gibson, CropLife Asia, Singapore
Session V: Enhancing Credibility of ERA and Subsequent Decision Making (Panel Discussion)
The Importance of Regulatory Process for Enhancing Credibility of ERA and Subsequent Decision Making
Joe Smith, Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, Australia