AgBioForum, vol. 16, no.2 (2013).
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Item The Trade Dispute About Genetically Engineered Products : Argentina Against the European Communities(University of Missouri, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, 2013) Burachik, MoisesThis article aims to describe the circumstances and development of the first significant trade dispute involving the regulatory views on genetically engineered (GE, referred to as genetically modified, GM, in the European Legislation) crops. It will also show how the World Trade Organization (WTO) managed through this complex case, which -- in addition to its basic long standing rules -- was called to deal with emerging environmental international legislation and with food-safety issues. An additional purpose of this work is to show how social concerns over risks may impose changes on local legislation which, in turn, would impact the regulations of a trade partner. Finally, another purpose of this article is to stress the importance of keeping the highest quality standards in seeking scientific evidence on which to base regulatory decisions.Item Ex-ante Economic Analysis of Biological Control of Coconut Mite in Benin(University of Missouri, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, 2013) Oleke, Jofrey M.; Manyong, Victor; Mignouna, Djana; Mutabazi, Khamaldin; Hanna, Rachid; Sabelis, Maurice; Isinika, AidaThe coconut mite, Aceria guerreronis Keifer, has been identified as one of the pests that pose a threat to the coconut industry in Benin. The study presents the simulation results of the economic benefits of the biological control of coconut mites in Benin using a standard economic surplus model. In the least optimistic scenario, the economy would derive an overall net gain of US$155,213.40. Considered at a discount rate of 12% for the period 2008-2027, net present value was about $207,721, while the internal rates of return or break-even discount rates are high at 13.21%. It is therefore recommended that contemporaneous with the release of natural predators of the coconut mite, plans should be underway for improving research and extension services to coconut farmers in Benin.Item For the Approval Process of GMOs : The Japanese Case(University of Missouri, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, 2013) Ebata, Ayako; Punt, Maarten; Wesseler, Justus, 1963-This article reviews the approval process of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Japan. The purpose of this review is to explain the Japanese safety approval procedures for food, feed, and imported GMOs and place it in an international context through a comparison with the United States and the European Union (EU). While the regulatory regime in the United States and EU is often discussed, little is understood about the Japanese regulations. However, Japan plays an important role in terms of biotechnological development as well as international trade through agricultural and food imports. Therefore, this article tries to fill the gap in the existing literature. Within Japanese regulations, GMOs are first tested following the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. In a second and final step, compliance with the national laws as well as food and feed safety is assessed. We also summarize the processes used in identity preservation and labeling of approved GMOs. The last section of the article reveals the pragmatic nature of Japanese GMO regulations as compared to the EU and the United States.Item Managing Trade in Products of Biotechnology -- Which Alternative to Choose : Science or Politics?(University of Missouri, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, 2013) Smyth, Stuart J.; Kerr, William A. (William Alexander); Phillips, Peter W. B.Biotechnology has triggered a spirited debate about how to assess risks, what rules to use, and where to vest the authority to decide. Post World War II, there has been a strong move to normalize and institutionalize a 'science-informed' system in international science and trade treaties. Recently there has been a pushback against the privileged role science institutions play in decision-making, especially regarding genetically modified crops. Some countries have tried to use legal derogations in institutions such as the World Trade Organization, while others have attempted to construct and implement competing power systems, mostly revolving around the Convention on Biological Diversity to supplement or replace science-informed decision-making with socio-economic considerations. Neither effort has been entirely satisfactory. The Americas generally follow the science-based regulatory framework, while Europe and Africa at times pursue a socio-economic-based regulatory framework. We assess the underlying information, valuation, and selection rules involved in the battle between 'science-informed' decision-making and rules incorporating socio-economic considerations in global agri-food trade, concluding that a generally accepted comprehensive approach to the regulation of products of biotechnology is unlikely in the foreseeable future.Item Bioproduct Approval Regulation : An Analysis of Front-line Governance Complexity(University of Missouri, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, 2013) Phillips, Peter W. B.; Clark, Lisa F.The behaviors and seemingly disconnected exchanges between actors operating within subcomponents of hierarchical decision-making systems can contribute to unanticipated broader-system effects. The concept of complexity is a useful way of better understanding the influential nature of these connections on decision-making outcomes. This article presents the findings on subsystem complexity in bioeconomy governance from research undertaken by members of the VALGEN Regulation and Governance team. It demonstrates how applying Social Networking Analysis (SNA) and kurtosis analysis to regulatory frameworks can be used to uncover complexity within multilevel governance. SNA reveals how informal interactions in the decision-making process can impact the regulatory process. Kurtosis analysis shows how inputs into regulatory frameworks are not evenly reflected in the outputs. The article discusses the results of these methodologies applied to approvals in Canada of plants with novel traits and argues that appropriate qualitative and quantitative data sources are important to understanding complexity within the governance structures of the bioeconomy.