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Feed the Future Eggplant Improvement Partnership

Progress Report:

Year 1, Second Quarter January – March 2016

Contact: Anthony Shelton International Programs, Cornell University

April 30, 2106 Cooperative Agreement No. AID-OAA-A-15-000052

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Feed the Future Eggplant Improvement Partnership Progress Report: Year 1, Second Quarter

January - March 2016

Contents

Acronyms .......................................................................................................................................... 2

Note from the Director ..................................................................................................................... 3

Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting ................................................................................. 6

Progress Report for Bangladesh: Bt Breeder Seed Production ........................................................ 9

Communication Progress Report for Bangladesh .......................................................................... 12

Progress Report for the Philippines ................................................................................................ 15

Appendices

Appendix A: Communication and Outreach Activities in the Philippines

Appendix B: Video Production Trip Report

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Acronyms

ARS Agricultural Research Station (in Bangladesh)

BARC Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council

BARI Bangladesh Agricultural Reseaerch Institute

FtFBP Feed the Future Biotechnology Partnership

HQ Headquarters (in Bangladesh)

ISAAA International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications

JDC Joint Department Circular (in the Philippines)

MR Motions for Reconsideration (in the Philippines)

OFRD On-Farm Research Division (in Bangladesh)

RARS Regional Agricultural Research Station (in Bangladesh)

TAC Technical Advisory Committee

UPLB University of the Philippines, Los Baños

USAID United States Agency for International Development

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Note from the Director Since the project’s launch in mid-October 2015, and especially in the 2nd quarter (Jan-March 2016), substantial progress has been made not only in the organization and management of the project but in specific outcomes. The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting in March was extremely helpful in providing insights into the ongoing activities and need for future adjustments to the project. Listed below are some of the highlights and challenges to the project as we move forward into the 3rd quarter. Cross-Country Efforts Website Development. We were extremely pleased to launch the project website (bteggplant.cornell.edu) in early March. This site is the public face of the project and was well received for its organization, appearance and content. It is being updated regularly with a blog, new pictures and new articles as they become available. Smartsheet. The project has subscribed to and utilizes the project management tool, Smartsheet. This has proven to be useful for organizing and tracking activities and providing timely reports. Regulatory Affairs Coordinator. USAID budget constraints eliminated a fulltime regulatory manager in the final award, however the need for someone to handle this work became increasingly apparent not only for the Philippines, where the regulatory system is undergoing substantial changes, but also in Bangladesh where the present system is in need of clarification and revision. I am extremely pleased that Dr. Karen Hokanson will fill this position effective May 1. Karen has a similar position with the USAID late blight potato project, thus providing expertise to the Bt eggplant project and synergy between the two projects. Bangladesh Highlight: BARI research field trials. During the TAC’s visit to Bogra on March 23-4, Dr. Zulfikar provided an excellent report on the status of the two research trials: efficacy of 4 commercialized Bt eggplant lines compared to their non-Bt isolines, with and without spraying; effect of Bt eggplant line 1, compared to its non-Bt isoline with and without spraying, on non-target arthropods. At the time of the meeting, the trials were well underway and showing excellent results. The trials should be ready for harvesting in May and a report will be written. We anticipate the report will result in a publication in an international journal. Highlight: BARI demonstration field trials. The TAC members were able to visit one of the 300 field trials and talk with the grower. The trial consisted of a ¼ acre plot of Bt brinjal, surrounded by 2 rows of non-Bt brinjal as a resistance management strategy. The field was already in the harvest stage and the non-Bt brinjal were heavily infested while none of the Bt brinjal were. The grower was extremely pleased and had only sprayed twice (for whiteflies) compared to the 100+ sprays he made in previous years with non-Bt brinjal.

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Highlight: Communication efforts. The efforts of Arif Hossain and members of the Alliance for Science (including Mark Lynas) have helped create positive stories in the media about Bt brinjal and provided pushback to the misinformation by anti-biotech groups. Challenge: Baseline susceptibility of eggplant fruit and shoot borer to Cry1Ac. Dr. Zulfikar has been trained to conduct these needed assays and funds are being transferred to BARI so assays can be conducted. But it appears the laboratory will not be fully set up to conduct the studies during this cropping period. Thus, we are in the process of trying to ship infested fruit to Mahyco where such assays can be done, but this process has its own challenges (i.e. sending infested fruit to India). We hope to resolve this in the near future and conduct these baseline studies in 2016 before large scale planting of Bt eggplant. Challenge: Publishing results of pesticide reduction with Bt eggplant in Bangladesh. BARI scientists generally do not feel pressured to publish their results in peer-reviewed, international journals. However, this is the standard way of disseminating useful results to the scientific community and such articles should serve as a source of reliable information to the media. It is harder to defend ideas about science without the backup of rigorous scientific articles. Challenge: Stewardship. A major institutional capacity building component of this project is to address, institute and formalize a culture of responsible stewardship, from seed production to performance in the field. BARI is anticipating the production and distribution of 500kg of seed for the planting beginning in October 2016. Much of the project’s focus will now be directed to ensure proper stewardship is developed, implemented and maintained. The Minister of Agriculture has verbally committed to this. The Philippines Highlight: Publishing results. I am extremely pleased to report that two papers from the field trials of ABSPII were submitted for publication in PLoS One in March 2016. The first paper, a 3-season study on the expression level of Cry1Ac and the efficacy of OP Bt-lines was accepted in April, pending minor revisions. The second paper, effects of OP Bt-lines on non-target organisms in the field, is still under review. The studies represent the first series of publically available data on Bt eggplant anywhere and will serve as the foundation for future studies in the Philippines and elsewhere. Highlight: Tour to Bangladesh by Philippine farmers. Although organized and funded by ISAAA, Arif Hossain and Alliance for Science colleagues played a key role in making it possible. The success of this tour illustrates not only the synergy of the countries within the project, but also the synergy of the project with other organizations including ISAAA. Challenge: Changes in regulations. The consequences of the new regulatory requirements in the Philippines are only now being realized. Undoubtedly, they will affect the regulatory submission package, a chief goal of the FtFBP project. Having a dedicated regulatory affairs coordinator, Dr. Hokanson, will ensure that we are well prepared to make such a submission.

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Focus for the future In the short period of time the project has existed, the team takes considerable pride in its accomplishments to date. In Bangladesh, the communication efforts and the field trials in Bogra have been major accomplishments as has been the submission of research papers from work conducted in the Philippines. Yet much remains to be done in both countries, and the TAC meeting in March in Bangladesh was extremely helpful in pointing the way forward. The team welcomes Karen Hokanson to fill the much needed gap as a regulatory affairs coordinator for Bangladesh and the Philippines. The team also appreciates the support of the Minister of Agriculture of Bangladesh in emphasizing the need for stewardship in all phases of the project in her country. This is the only way to ensure the durability of this valuable product for Bangladesh and beyond. Tony Shelton

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Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Meeting The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) members and the Director of FtFBP visited Dhaka from March 20-25, 2016. They met with representatives of the Bangladesh government to discuss the project, to see the experiments in Bogra and to visit a Bt brinjal farmer’s field. The committee met with the Honorable Minister of Agriculture and brifed her on the project, and emphasized the importance of stewardship for sustained effectiveness of Bt technology under farmers’ conditions. The Minister assured the team of the Ministry of Agriculture’s cooperation. The committee also met with the Secretary for the Ministry of Environment and Forests and updated him on the project, and again emphasized the importance of proper stewardship. The Secretary affirmed his cooperation for the project. The team also met with the Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) and the Director General of the Bangladesh Agricultural Reseaerch Institute (BARI) to discuss various activities under the project.

Experiments at BARI, Bogra The TAC members visited Bogra to see the two experiments currently in progress. They expressed satisfaction with the experiments in the field and the presentation of results by the project scientist. The data to date indicated valuable results based. A final report and a manustript for publication in a peer reviewed journal will be prepared at the end of the experiment.

Experiment 1. Comparision of the agronomic effects and yields of 4 Bt commercialized brinjal lines and their non-Bt isolines with and without a standard insecticide regime from the transplant stage until harvest is complete. Additional counts were made of arthropods (pest and beneficial) by species on the plants. Experiment 2. Comparision of the environmental effects on non-target and target arthopods of 1 commercial Bt brinjal line to its non-Bt isolines with and without a standard insecticide regime from the transpalnt stage until harvest is complete. For this study Bt brinjal#1 is used.

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Photos from the experimental plots and scienftific presentations

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Technical Advisory Committee visit to a Bt brinjal farmer’s field The committee visited a Bt brinjal farmer’s field in Bogra. The farmer explained that he benefited from the Bt technology as it did not require insectiscide spray for controlling the brinjal fuit and and shoot borer. Some pictures are as under.

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Progress Report for Bangladesh: Bt Breeder Seed Production BARI is producing breeder seeds of 4 Bt brinjal varieties in 12 stations of BARI as under. Seed extraction is almost complete at most stations.

Variety Station

Area

Present conditions Bigha (1 bigha =

1333 sq.m)

Ha

BARI Bt Brinjal 1

RARS, Burirhat, Rangpur 3 0.41 Extraction of seeds almost completed

ARS, Rajbari, Dinajpur 1 0.14 Extraction of seeds almost completed

BARI Bt Brinjal 2

RARS, Rahmatpur, Barisal 4 0.55 Extraction of seeds almost completed

RARS, Jessore 1 0.14 Extraction of seeds almost completed

OFRD, Pabna 2 0.28 Extraction of seeds almost completed

HQ, Gazipur 4 0.55 Extraction of seeds almost completed

BARI Bt Brinjal 3

RARS, Jamalpur 3 0.41 Extraction of seeds almost completed

RARS, Hathazari 1 0.14 Extraction of seeds almost completed

ARS, Pahartali 1 0.14 Extraction of seeds almost completed

OFRD, Alamnagor, Rangpur 3 0.41 Extraction of seeds almost completed

BARI Bt Brinjal 4

RARS, Ishurdi, Pabna 5 0.69 Extraction of seeds almost completed

OFRD, Chelopara, Bogra 3 0.41 Extraction of seeds almost completed

Total 12 31 4.27

RARS - Regional Agricultural Research Station ARS - Agricultural Research Station OFRD - On-Farm Research Division HQ - Headquarters

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Photos of the extraction and drying of Bt brinjal seeds. Mr. Shibly of the USAID Mission in Dhaka, visited the Bt brinjal seed production fields in Rahmatpur, Barisal.

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Estimates of the amount of breeder seeds produced as unofficially known during the to date under the ongoing production plan for all 4 Bt brinjal varieties are as follow:

Variety Station Approximate amount of seeds produced (kg)

BARI Bt Brinjal 1 RARS, Burirhat, Rangpur 150 ARS, Rajbari, Dinajpur 70

BARI Bt Brinjal 2 RARS, Rahmatpur, Barisal 110 RARS, Jessore 15 OFRD, Pabna 25 HQ, Gazipur 18

BARI Bt Brinjal 3 RARS, Jamalpur 25 RARS, Hathazari 10 ARS, Pahartali 18 OFRD, Alamnagaor, Rangpur 25

BARI Bt Brinjal 4 RARS, Ishurdi, Pabna 150 OFRD, Chelopara, Bogra 65

Total 12 681

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Communication Progress Report for Bangladesh This report covers communication activities for January, February and March 2016.

1. Facilitated Bt brinjal farmer’s field visit for a Dutch film crew, February 3-6, 2016 at Rangpur, Bogra, Gaibandha (see Appendix B for trip report).

2. Developed the project website (http://bteggplant.cornell.edu/) and its contents with support and coordination from the Cornell Alliance for Science.

3. Developed blog content for the project website. Provided material to local media to encourage coverage of Bt brinjal.

4. Completed video and photo documentation of Bt brinjal farmer’s field activity. Photographs have been shared and archived. Photographs and videos were uploaded to the Cornell box system for archiving and further use.

5. Supported Jeremy Veverka of the Cornell Alliance for science for the video documentation of Bt brinjal farmers’ activities in Bangladesh.

6. Received feedback from the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on the project’s communication activities. The TAC members visited Bt brinjal research sites and met Bt brinjal farmers. Photo documentation of the activities was completed and shared internally. A blog post was also developed marking the visit of TAC members for the project website.

7. Bt brinjal information was shared through the Bangladesh Alliance for Science Facebook Page to reach both a national and international audience. The Bangladesh Alliance for Science Facebook page has engaged more than 500 users and its posts reached 1700 national and international users with its updated posts and contents. (https://www.facebook.com/bdallianceforscience)

8. Visited six media outlets/agencies and met with journalists and media personnel to understand their level of knowledge and opinion on biotechnology and Bt brinjal. More research is needed as this is a dynamic area, but the following observations were made during these visits:

• Media and PR engagement for controversial GM issues is very sensitive and needs a slower approach. All GM crops in Bangladesh have a very low profile and that has affected the knowledge and perception of media professionals.

• There is no disclosure from any Bangladeshi media agency/house of their stance on GM crops. Reporters/journalists are willing to use any evidence-based information that is available to them. Media professionals get easy access to negative information and messages from the anti-GM activists like UBINIG and BELA, who have better media relations than do government entities.

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• Journalists and media professionals are not comfortable with offering any formal opinion or participating in any formal meeting or programs without assignment and approval from their Assignment Editor or Editor.

• The ongoing strategy to interact with the media in a semi-formal or informal meeting would be more effective to improve media relations and share positive messages about Bt brinjal and agricultural biotechnology.

• Communication and PR materials could be shared with the media for further reference and to increase their interest in Bt brinjal.

• Media professionals are not willing to give dedicated time without a fixed appointment. Media and PR professionals and agencies host business lunch or dinner for interaction with media professionals which could be instigated for the project’s Media and PR work.

9. Continued monitoring media coverage of Bt brinjal and shared relevant news with the FtFP team.

Selected Photos from Bangladesh

Bt brinjal seed production at OFRD, Pabna. Photo/Arif

Farmer showing Bt brinjal in his field. Photo/Arif

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Bt brinjal in farmer's field. Photo/Arif Bt brinjal farmer Saiful Islam with his family. Photo/Arif

Bt brinjal farmer Hafizur Rahman in his field. Photo/Arif Bt brinjal farmer Khalilur Rahman with his harvested Bt brinjal. Photo/Arif

Bt brinjal farmer Milon Mia with his family. Photo/Arif Farmer Afzal Hossain is happy growing Bt brinjal. Photo/Arif

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Progress Report for the Philippines

Planned activities for product development and regulatory work were delayed due to the Supreme Court order for new biosafety regulation for GM crops, replacing the Department of Agriculture’s Admin. Order No.8 Series of 2002. From January-March, Dr. Desiree Hautea actively participated in public consultations on the draft of the proposed new Joint Department Circular (JDC) on Biosafety Regulation of Plant and Plant Products. She submitted written comments and attended public forums. The new JDC took effect on April 15, 2016. Discussion on the implementing guidelines is on-going.

As a result, the team had to revise its planned regulatory activities. USAID and Cornell decided to hire a Regulatory Affairs Coordinator who will work with the technical expert, Mahyco and the country coordinator to prepare the regulatory dossier for Bt eggplant. New plans will be discussed.

UPLB and other petitioners filed Motions for Reconsideration (MR) on the Supreme Court decision. The Court took cognisance of the MR and directed Greenpeace et al to reply to the MR.

Communications activities were intensified during this period. See Appendix A for a detailed report by the communication partners.

A major push to publish results of field studies was undertaken. Consequently, in March, two manuscripts from ABSPII work were submitted to PLoS One:

i. Field Performance of Bt Eggplants (Solanum melongea L.) in the Philippines: Cry1Ac Expression and Control of the Eggplant Fruit and Shoot Borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guenée); and

ii. Assessing Potential Impact of Bt Eggplant on Non-Target Arthropods in the Philippines.

The first paper was accepted pending minor changes and we are awaiting a decision on the second paper. PLoS One is an on-line journal that published accepted articles very rapidly, so we expect the first article will be published in May. We hope the second article will be accepted and published in June. Both articles would represent the first publically available data on Bt eggplant.

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Product Development Plan for the Philippines

Objectives Activities Output indicators

Target Outputs Responsible

Person (s)

Recipient Inputs/ Support

Feb-Apr 2016 May-July 2016

Variety accreditation and protection of Bt and non-Bt lines, OPVs and hybrids through the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) and Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Board

1. Seed increase of Bt (under contained facility) for seed viability and requirement for PVP Board and NSIC registration

• BPI approval for seed increase

• Additional seeds of Bt eggplant lines

• Delayed. The new Joint Department Circular (JDC) on Biosafety Regulation of Plant and Plant Products took effect on April 15, 2016.

• Prepare and submit application for contained use for seed increase.

• DM Hautea • LD Taylo • Technical

expert-seed production

• Project team

In-kind support research facilities, field equipment, operations and site maintenance, UPLB staff-time (10-20% FTE)

2. Seeds of non-Bt NILs hybrids and inbred parent lines

• Seeds for stewardship, pilot planting and commercial release

• On-going • First season seed increase of non-hybrids completed

3. PVP registration of non-Bt hybrid NILs and inbred parent lines for IP protection

• PVP certificates for non-Bt NIL hybrids and inbred parent lines

• On-going • First season evaluation completed

4. Application for PVP accreditation (defensive protection) of Bt eggplant promising OP lines

• Meeting with PVP secretariat

• Application filed

• Delayed. The new Joint Department Circular (JDC) on Biosafety Regulation of Plant and Plant Products took effect on April 15, 2016.

• DM Hautea • LD Taylo

Staff-time; vehicle use

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Regulatory Plan for the Philippines

Objectives Activities Output indicators Target Outputs

Responsible Person (s)

Recipient Inputs/ Support Feb-Apr 2016 May-July 2016

A. Assist partner in developing a robust regulatory dossier

1. Hire regulatory consultants/ experts

• Regulatory consultant (W. Pilacinski)

Completed. Consultant’s contract signed.

UPLBFI Consultant DM Hautea

In-kind contribution - UPLB Staff-time - vehicle use - internet and communications facilities - relevant research facilities; technical staff time)

B. Completion of a robust regulatory dossier for approval for cultivation in the Philippines of eggplant event ‘EE-1’ and its derived progenies

1. Assess completed environmental studies of event EE-1 and derived progenies conducted in the Philippines and relevant studies conducted in other countries) vis-à-vis Philippine regulatory (BPI and FPA) requirements for cultivation approval

• Assessment report on existing food and feed safety dossier

• Delayed. From Jan-March, DMH actively participated in the public consultation on the draft of the proposed new Joint Department Circular (JDC) on Biosafety Regulation of Plant and Plant Products. Submitted written comments and attended public forums. The new JDC took into effect on April 15, 2016.

• New Regulatory Coordinator discussed

W Pilacinski A Shelton

(FtFBP Regulatory Manager?) DM Hautea

Out-sourced

UPLB (Mahyco?)

• Assessment report of required environmental and food safety studies conducted in the Philippines vis-a vis local data requirement

• Publications of results of field trials and other required additional local studies for ERA and FSA

• Two (2) manuscripts submitted to Plos One. One manuscript for minor revision. One under review.

• Prepare at least two manuscripts for publication to local and international journals

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2. Conduct bridge studies (mol & food safety) for eggplant ‘EE-1’ and cotton event MON 531 (

• Bridge data studies completed

• Delayed. For discussion with new Regulatory Coordinator, tech experts and Mahyco

• Publication of study results

Objective B continued

3 Conduct of FPA required bioefficacy studies

• FPA required studies for PIP registration completed

• Delayed. For discussion with new Regulatory Coordinator, tech experts and regulators.

LDTaylo MVNavasero FPA

In-kind contribution - UPLB Staff-time - vehicle use - internet and communications facilities - relevant research facilities; technical staff time)

4. Draft and finalize IRM plan

• IRM plan DMHautea-rep of applicant (UPLB) W Pilacinski (Regulatory Manager ?) A Shelton

A. Event EE-1 approval in a developed country – US FDA for food and feed safety assessment

(Optional)

1. Draft and finalize application for event EE-1

• Regulatory dossier for FFP

• For discussion with new Regulatory Coordinator, tech experts and Mahyco

WPilacinski Regulatory Manager A Shelton Mahyco DMHautea Sathguru

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Human and Institutional Capacity Development (HICD) Plan for the Philippines

Objectives Activities Output indicators

Target Outputs Responsible Person (s)

Recipient Inputs/ Support Feb-Apr 2016 May-July 2016

Develop national program capacity on all components of GE product development pathway

1. Technical assistance on-the job training of UPLB scientist in preparing regulatory dossier (on-line and face-to face visit)

Trained UPLB scientists (junior and senior)

• For discussion with new Regulatory Coordinator, tech experts and Mahyco

Regulatory expert

Staff-time

2. Training-workshop on risk assessment with focus on molecular characterization and food/feed safety assessment

10 Trained scientist and regulators

Regulatory experts DMHautea

Local host/ organizers staff-time and other in-kind resources

3. Training –Alliance for Science intensive communications and outreach training

At least 2 trained staff (UPLB and ISAAA/BIC)

ISAAA/ Alliance for Science

Staff salary & pre-departure expenses

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Communication Plan for the Philippines

Objectives Activities Output indicators

Target Output (Year 1) Responsible Person (s)

Recipient Inputs/ Support Oct 2015-March 2016

A. Improve public acceptance and political environment for Bt eggplant product

1. Seminar-workshop to strengthen media networks (editors, columnists, news managers, news anchors) and encourage increased favorable coverage of issues pertaining to Bt eggplant

• Seminar-workshops for media

• Please see attached ISAAA/SEARC-BIC Report

ISAAA/ SEARCA-BIC Network of local and international partners

Staff –time and other in-kind resources

• Media article on Bt eggplant

2. Public dialogues with key stakeholders (eggplant farming communities, members of the judiciary)

• Public dialogues with farming communities

• Public dialogue with judiciary

3. Monitoring and content analysis of media coverage on Bt eggplant from local and national dailies, e-news, online resources

• Monthly and quartlerly progress report

• Year-end analysis

B. Compliance to required

1. Preparation and publication of the

• BPI-approved ISAAA/ SEARCA-BIC

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public participation for regulatory application for cultivation

required public notices in two newspapers

2. Organize and conduct public consultation/ hearings in targeted local communities

3. Publication of comm materials

public notice document

• Public hearings/ consultation

UPLB Bt eggpalnt team Network of partners in local communities

Appendix A: Communication and Outreach Activities in the Philippines

Submitted by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture - Biotechnology Information Center (SEARCA BIC) and the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA).

Feed the Future South Asia Eggplant Improvement Partnership

(PHILIPPINES)

by the

Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture - Biotechnology Information Center (SEARCA BIC)

International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA)

PROGRESS REPORT

O b 2015 M h 2016

Background

This outreach and communication program focuses on building alliances and strengthening public understanding and acceptance of Bt eggplant by key stakeholders and decision makers in the Philippines. In general, it aims to provide different venues for information exchange, advocacy and public engagements. In order to provide backstopping to a coordinated multi-stakeholder response to the Supreme Court’s decision to permanently stop the fielding testing of Bt eggplant and nullify the Department of Agriculture (DA)’s Administrative Order 8, issues and concerns from influential key stakeholders must be pro-actively and effectively addressed. With the strong presence of anti-GMO civic organizations in the country, there is a need to continuously clamor for strong public support to back up regulatory efforts (particularly the new Joint Department Circular) and biotech research and development.

The activities for this outreach and communication program will be conducted

within a span of three years --- with YEAR 1 covering the period October 2015 to September 2016. The following are the specific categories for the entire outreach and communication program: (1) Media advocacy and continuous outreach activities to key stakeholder groups (media, farmers, members of the judiciary, and government officials) seen as influential in shaping public knowledge and opinion on Bt eggplant technology (YEAR 1) (2) Capacity building to develop or enhance management and stewardship skills among potential recipients of Bt eggplant technology (YEAR 2) (3) Public engagements with various key stakeholder groups (scientists and academe, consumer groups, health and nutrition professionals and practitioners) highlighting the value of the technology thus transcending issues of food safety (YEAR 3) Accomplishments for YEAR 1 (Q1 & Q2)

October 2015 to March 2016 The following are the accomplishments under milestones identified during YEAR 1. Activities for the past six months focused on media advocacy and continuous outreach activities to key stakeholder groups seen as influential in shaping public knowledge and opinion on Bt eggplant technology. Minor changes in the approved workplan may be observed consequent to the Supreme Court decision on December 8, 2015 that permanently stopped the field testing of Bt eggplant and nullified the biotechnology regulations embodied in Dept. of Agriculture Administrative Order No. 8.

A. Strengthen media network (editors, columnists, news managers, news anchors) and encourage increased coverage of issues pertaining to Bt eggplant and its commercialization through alliance building seminar-workshops

• Dissemination of statements of support and press releases on Bt eggplant to

media partners, December 2015-March 2016 Following the Supreme Court decision against the multi-location field trials of Bt eggplant, SEARCA BIC served as a clearing house of official statements of support and opinion pieces that criticize the negative decision of the Supreme Court. Shared with SEARCA BIC’s media contacts are the following statements and opinion pieces by various organizations and scientists on their take on the Supreme Court decision, its implications, and GM crops in general:

o Statement of the University of the Philippines League of Agricultural

Biotechnology Students (UP LABS) o Statement of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) o Statement of the Philippine Association of Agriculturists, Inc. (PAA) o Position paper of the Coalition for Agriculture Modernization in the

Philippines (CAMP) o Statement of the UPLB Genetics Society o Statement of the Cornell Alliance for Science o Article: “A call for science-based regulation of GMOs” by Academician

Eufemio T. Rasco, Jr. (NAST) o Article: “Are GMOs Inherently Risky? (Towards understanding the Bt talong

controversy)” by Academician Eufemio T. Rasco, Jr. (NAST) o Article: “The SC erred in hastily applying the precautionary principle on Bt

talong” by Academician Eufemio T. Rasco, Jr. (NAST) o Article: “SC's Bt talong ruling's economic implications” by Dr. Rolando Dy of

the School of Management, University of Asia and the Pacific o Rejoinder of National Scientist Dr. Ricardo Lantican to a negative blog post

(“The Philippine Supreme Court’s Bt Eggplant Decision, Explained” by Elpidio Peria)

o [SEARCA BIC media release] Filipino farmer leaders learn from Bt brinjal farmers in Bangladesh by Dr. Maria Monina Cecilia A. Villena

It should be noted that the targeted distribution of these write-ups contributed to the significant spike in positive Bt eggplant articles. Major online news wires such as GMA News Online and Rappler captured these statements (i.e. UP LABS statement in December 30), the articles of which were widely circulated and shared online including major social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

SEARCA BIC also continues to provide key information to partners in the academe and other agriculture sectors so as to amplify their voice in the biotech debate in the country.

Shot of the first page of UP LABS’ statement regarding the Supreme Court decision.

• Media Brunch for Science Journalists, February 13, 2016, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, Quezon City

In partnership with the UP System, SEARCA BIC facilitated the involvement of UPLB scientists as resource persons in the said media conference. These scientists are experts and proponents of biotech research such as Dr. Rita Laude and Dr. Antonio Laurena, among others. During the media brunch, UP President Alfredo Pascual himself presented Bt ‘talong’ (eggplant) as one of UP’s research response to the urgent need of the country for food security and nutrition. The activity was attended by 42 (17 female, 25 male) popular science and mass media journalists such as those from GMA News Network, Knowledge channel, and Rappler, among others.

UP President Alfredo Pascual presents the Bt eggplant technology

and its potentials to address food security in the Philippines to science journalists.

• Website development

The SEARCA BIC website (www.bic.searca.org) is being prepped up to serve as a clearing house of statements of various sectors in the Philippines on the Supreme Court decision and GM crops in general. It continues to serve as a hub of FAQs on Bt eggplant and biotechnology in the Philippines. The website is undergoing revisions to better cater to information needs of key stakeholders. Sections for opinion pieces from scientists, farmers, and other leaders will be added, as well as those for multimedia information materials (videos, radio discussion programs).

Screenshot of SEARCA BIC’s new website which is being updated to include a

section as a one-stop online page for Bt eggplant in the Philippines.

The SEARCA BIC website is likewise being prepared to support a social media campaign for consumer groups and the general public to create awareness and better understanding of the issues surrounding the biotechnology industry in the Philippines. If there was a positive turnout in light of the Supreme Court decision last December 2015, it was the fact that more people are now aware of biotechnology and has thus elevated the Bt eggplant issue to being a national concern.

• Production and airing of Biotech-on-air episodes, December 2015-March 2016

Through DZRB Radyo ng Bayan’s broadcaster Ms. Melly Tenorio, SEARCA BIC is facilitating the production of episodes for Radyo Teknolohiya, a program focusing on efforts and developments in agri-biotechnology and related sciences in the Philippines, and aired every Friday at 8:00-8:30 PM. In light of the Supreme Court decision, 11 episodes focusing on stakeholder sentiments on Bt eggplant and their analysis of the decision were aired. Below are the details of the episodes related to Bt eggplant in the Philippines.

Table 1. Biotech-on-air episodes aired related to Bt eggplant

Date recorded Guest expert Topic Date aired

December 11 Ms. Rosalie Ellasus Farmers’ sentiments on biotech corn farming, Supreme Court decision

December 11

December 11 Mr. Junnel Metrillo, student, UP LABS

Students’ reaction to the Supreme Court decision January 1

January 8 Dr. Emil Javier, NAST Reaction on Supreme Court’s (SC) decision on Bt talong

January 8

January 11 Ms. Maria Monina Cecilia Villena, SEARCA BIC

SC decision on Bt talong, its implications, and future steps of SEARCA BIC re this issue

January 15

February 3

Mr. Joshua Israel Sumague, founder of UP League of Agricultural Biotechnology Students (UP LABS)

Sentiments of a BS Agribiotech graduate and former student-leader re SC decision

February 5

February 9

Mr. Reimond Corona, BS Agribiotech graduate and former student-leader, and Mr. Sumague

Sentiments of a BS Agribiotech graduate and former student-leader re SC decision

February 12

February 9

Ms. Viola Gamboa, UPLB College of Agriculture Student Council and UP Agr

Sentiments of a BS Agribiotech student and student-leader re SC decision

February 19

February 22 Dr. Lourdes Taylo, UPLB-Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB)

What are GM crops? February 26

February 22

Ms. Anna Pauleen Masanga, UPLB-Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB)

Sentiments of a young university researcher on biotech re SC decision on Bt eggplant

March 4

March 8 Mr. Panfilo de Guzman, ISAAA

Socioeconomic impacts of Bt eggplant March 11

March 8 Dr. Lourdes Taylo, UPLB-Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB)

Bt eggplant and non-target organisms March 18

An undergraduate student of Agri-biotech in UPLB discusses

with Ms. Tenorio his reaction to the Supreme Court decision on Bt talong, and the steps that his student organization (UP LABS) plans to udertake.

B. Conduct public dialogues with key stakeholders (eggplant farming

communities and members of the judiciary) on the merits of agricultural biotechnology, specifically Bt eggplant

• 1st National Agri-biotechnology Farmers Congress, December 10-11, 2015,

SEARCA and UPLB, College, Los Baños, Laguna

SEARCA BIC provided support to the Asian Farmers Regional Network Philippines (ASFARNET Phils.) for the conduct of the 1st National Agri-biotechnology Farmers Congress in Los Baños, Laguna. The activity was held two days after the release of the Supreme Court decision on the Bt eggplant case. Thus, one of the highlights of the congress was the passing of a

resolution expressing concern on the negative impacts of the high court’s decision on Bt eggplant and GM crop approvals in the country. The congress proper was held on December 10 and was participated in by a total of 122 farmers and agriculture stakeholders (57 female, 65 male) from all regions of the country as well as media participants from Mindanao and Metro Manila. Other topics tackled in the congress were the coexistence of GM and organic farming (Dr. Saturnina Halos of DA), the global and local impacts of biotech crops (Dr. Rhodora Aldemita of ISAAA), and Filipino corn farmers’ experiences and successes from biotech corn. A study visit to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and UPLB-IPB was held for the farmers on December 11 so as to appreciate and see for themselves the facilities where biotech crops are developed, as well as interact with scientists of related fields.

ASFARNET Phils. President Reynaldo Cabanao leads the Farmers’ Congress.

Dr. Aldemita of ISAAA shows the participants the global status of adoption

and benefits of biotech crops. • Participation in the public consultations for the drafting of the DOST-DA-

DENR-DOH-DILG Joint Department Circular, January 22, February 9 and 17, 2016, DA Main Office, Quezon City

SEARCA BIC took part in the 1st, 4th, and 5th public consultations held by the government for the new draft Joint Department Circular or JDC which is the revised guidelines for GM plants in the country. Articles were developed and published about the fourth and fifth public consultations held for the JDC. They highlighted the sentiments of biotech corn farmers, traders, and scientists’ assertions on the safety and socioeconomic benefits of GM crops, as well as the impact of the Supreme Court decision on the country’s feed industry.

• Participation in the Cornell Alliance for Science Asia Leadership Course on Strategic Planning and Effective Grassroots Organizing, January 18-26, 2016, Hua Hin, Thailand

SEARCA BIC joined the said course to gain skills for an effective campaign for Bt eggplant, and converge the efforts of various biotech players in the country in light of the Supreme Court decision. Following this activity is continuous and strengthened correspondence with the Department of Agriculture (DA) Biotech Program Office, UPLB and other key partners. Communication plans targeted for important stakeholders (i.e. consumers, lawyers, farmers, etc.) are also being worked out with these partners. The course also included participants from other countries such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Participants, resource persons, and organizers of the Cornell Alliance for Science

Asia Leadership Course on Strategic Planning and Effective Grassroots Organizing

• Study visit of Filipino farmers and stakeholders to Bt brinjal farms, February 22-26, 2016, Dhaka and Bogra, Bangladesh

The study visit was co-organized with the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) with funding support from USDA and SEARCA. The activity showcased the success of Bt eggplant adoption in Bangladesh to selected farmer leaders and key agriculture partners from the Philippines. It enabled the participants to observe the dynamics of public acceptance and consumption of GM crops in Bangladesh, and learn its country regulations and political support for the technology. The participants were also briefed by Dr. AKM Quamruzzaman and Dr. ASM Mahbubur Rahman Khan, both of BARI, and by Mr. Muhammad Solaiman Haider of the Bangladesh Ministry of Environment, on how Bt brinjal was developed,

regulated, and distributed, and its yield, performance, and efficacy in the field.

Participants and organizers of the study visit with BARI resource persons.

Filipino farmer-participants with Bangladeshi farmers and

BARI resource persons in the Bt brinjal farm.

• Interview and photoshoot in an eggplant farm, and briefing on Bt eggplant in a marketplace, March 11, 2016, Dolores, Quezon

To document some of the current practices in a conventional eggplant farm, SEARCA BIC, along with ISAAA Project Assistant Ms. Clement Dionglay and Bt eggplant study leader from the UPLB-Institute of Plant Breeding Dr. Lourdes Taylo, went to the eggplant plantation of Ms. Mara Hazel Espinosa and interviewed her about her insect pest control methods (which include use of chemical pesticides), yield, and income. She acknowledged that the use of

chemicals were indeed disadvantageous not only in terms of costs, but also for their health and the environment. She also said that a pest resistant eggplant variety would be truly helpful in Filipino farms.

Ms. Espinosa shows a stunted eggplant fruit in her farm in Dolores, Quezon.

After the photoshoot in the farm, the group proceeded to the nearby vegetable market/trading post or “bagsakan” to brief the farmers, traders, and buyers there on how Bt eggplant was developed in the Philippines, the science and biosafety regulations behind its safety, and potential benefits. The listeners were particularly interested in the benefits as they attested to using chemical pesticides in their farms to ward off the borers. However, what was continually asked of Dr. Taylo was when the seeds would be able for use of the farmers.

Dr. Taylo speaks with interested farmers of Dolores, Quezon and

San Pablo, Laguna about the potential benefits of Bt eggplant in their farms.

• Social Media for Science: #GoBiotech, March 30-31, 2016, Acacia Hotel, Alabang, Muntinlupa City

As an offshoot of the abovementioned training, the Filipino members of the network of the Aliance for Science in the Philippines as well as new partners, were trained on skills in using social media to promote and educate the public about agri-biotech, particularly Bt eggplant. ISAAA’s Dr. Rhodora Aldemita and UPLB’s Dr. Lourdes Taylo presented to the group the issues and concerns (i.e. safety, scientific consensus, etc.) that arose from the Supreme Court decision and the responses and rebuttals that may be used as messages for the campaign. The social media skills and lessons were presented by resource persons from the Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD). A total of 21 biotech partners (11 female, 10 male) took part in the training. This activity was co-organized by ISAAA, DA-Biotech Program, YPARD, and SEARCA BIC.

Participants of the social media training during a workshop session.

C. Monitoring and content analysis of media coverage on Bt eggplant from the

local and national dailies, e-news and online resources, with progress report at the end of each month, which will include a year-end analysis of all quarter’s work and annual and three-year analysis of the media coverage.

• Media monitoring of articles about crop biotechnology

News and feature stories about crop biotechnology aside from those about Bt eggplant were monitored from national dailies and online newswires from October 2015 to March 2016. For the said period, a total of 33 articles were gathered, of which 28 were positive, 2 were negative, and 3 were neutral. Topics of the articles range from biotech events (National Biotechnology Week), statements of prominent government officials on biotechnology (i.e.

Vice Presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on biotech and food security), and updates in research and development of crops using biotechnology. Table 2 and Figure 1 below show the breakdown of articles per tone, per month. Table 2. Tone of crop biotech articles, excluding Bt eggplant related articles, in the Philippines, October 2015 to March 2016

Positive Negative Neutral

Oct-15 3 0 0 Nov-15 9 0 0 Dec-15 2 0 0 Jan-16 7 0 1 Feb-16 4 1 2 Mar-16 3 1 0

TOTAL 28 2 3

Figure 1. Distribution tones of crop biotech articles in the Philippines, excluding Bt eggplant related articles, October 2015-March 2016

• Media monitoring of articles about Bt eggplant in the Philippines

Articles pertaining specifically to Bt eggplant in the Philippines were also monitored and culled for this period from major national newspapers and online resources. These articles were categorized by tone: positive, negative, and neutral. Positive articles are reports/opinion pieces about stakeholders’ support for Bt eggplant; these can also be about statements criticizing the Supreme Court decision. Negative articles are reports or blog posts highlighting anti-biotech sentiments. Meanwhile, neutral articles are straight news reports about the Supreme Court decision. A total of 168 articles about Bt eggplant in the country were published, majority of which tackles the Supreme Court decision. Table 3 and Figure 2 below illustrates the breakdown of the Bt eggplant articles per tone, per month. Table 3. Tone of Bt eggplant articles in the Philippines, October 2015-March 2016

Positive Negative Neutral

Oct-15 4 0 0 Nov-15 1 1 0 Dec-15 21 17 10 Jan-16 32 11 0 Feb-16 31 18 4 Mar-16 11 7 0

TOTAL 100 54 14

Figure 2. Distribution tones of Bt eggplant articles in the Philippines, October 2015-March 2016 With regard to the key messages of the news articles published which discussed Bt eggplant technology in relation to the Supreme Court decision, 38 percent of the articles were criticisms of the Supreme Court decision either on how the Bt eggplant case was handled or the nullification of DA’s AO 8. Although majority of the articles took a positive stance, 28 percent of stories published were supportive of the Supreme Court decision by anti-GMO groups, indicating their strong presence in Philippine mass media. Until March 2016, minimal coverage in support of the new JDC has been done including explanations of the benefits of biotechnology as a science, and the possible trade implications in case GMOs are totally banned in the Philippines. This shows that Philippine media is aiming to strike a balance in terms of media reportage for the issue at hand, and more efforts must be directed in the communication of the biotech as a science and how it is being regulated anew vis-à-vis the new JDC.

Figure 3. Key Messages of Bt Eggplant News Articles published, October 2015-March 2016

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Appendix B: Video Production Trip Report

Field Trip Report Bt brinjal farmer’s field visit with Dutch film crew Date: February 3-6, 2016 Location: Rangpur, Bogra, Gaibandha Md. Arif Hossain February 10, 2016 A Bt brinjal farmers’ field visit was conducted by a Dutch film crew and took place from February 3-6, 2016. Hidde Boersma, a molecular biologist and freelance science writer from the Netherlands headed the film crew with two other videography technical persons. As per the email from Hidde he received a grant from the EJC and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to make a documentary on genetic modification and its use in reaching the millennium goals. The documentary is aimed to show the potential of genetic modification and genetic technology in eradicating poverty. Hidde with his film crew visited Bt brinjal fields in Bangladesh and has a plan to visit the Philippines (golden rice) and Hawaii (papaya’s with resistance to the ring spot virus). The team met scientists and local farmers during the trip to capture footage of the documentary and scientifically show why GMO’s pose no threat. Prior to the trip the film crew met and talked with BARI officials for the following tentative trip plan which was shared from BARI for the documentary shooting: Tentative schedule for foreigners to visit Bt brinjal Date (2016) Day Station February 3 Wednesday OFRD, Alamnagor, Rangpur (night halt)

Contact number: Dr. Mazharul Anwar: 01916847240

February 4 Thursday Farmers’ field visit RARS, Burirhat, Rangpur Contact: Dr Abu Alam Mondal, CSO: 01712240687 Night halt at Spices Research Centre, Bogra Contact: Md. Motahar Hossain, SO: 01716334869 Dr. Kalim Uddin, CSO: 01911769196

February 5 Friday Farmers’ field visit at Bogra (OFRD, Chelopara) Dr. Zulfiker Haider, PSO: 01716071764 Start to Pabna and Night halt at RARS, Ishurdi Contact: Dr. Zubun Nesa, Director: 01927879826 Dr. Altaf Hossain, PSO: 017250345595

February 6 Saturday Farmers’ field visit at Pabna Dr. Shafiqul Islam: 01712101439 Start to Dhaka

As suggested I joined the film crew to visit the Bt brinjal farmers’ fields and helped the team by translating regular conversation with officials, farmers and local community. The trip allowed me to see a few Bt brinjal fields. I also talked with a few farmers and scientists during this trip and took photographs which could be used further for the project’s website and other communication content development. Below is a summary of the trip activities. Day 1, February 3, 2016: I joined the film crew in the morning to travel in the north-bengal region to visit Bt brinjal farmer’s fields. The team stopped in 2/3 places to shoot landscape views and activity of the

people. This took about 9 hours to reach OFRD, Alamnagor, Rangpur from Dhaka. The team took dinner in a local restaurant of Rangpur and rested for the next day’s work. Day 2, February 4, 2016: The team started the 2nd day with the introduction of Dr. Mazharul Anwar of OFRD, Rangpur. He took the team to show Bt brinjal research field of OFRD, Rangpur. The team took several shoots of the research field and talked with Dr. Mazharul about Bt brinjal research. The research field was good looking and in the early stage of furring. The team took breakfast with Dr. Mazharul at OFRD and continued their conversation on Bt

brinjal. After breakfast Mr. Khairul Islam, Scientific Officer (SO) of OFRD Rangpur joined the team to guide them in the Bt brinjal fields. The team traveled to RARS, Burirhat, Rangpur to see Bt brinjal farmers field but RARS was similar to OFRD research fields and the film crew requested the SO to take them to the Bt brinjal farmers’ field.

The team left RARS after a conversation with the scientists of the station and arrived again in OFRD Ranpur for an early lunch and taking all their baggage.

Mr. Khairul took the film crew team to Pirganj upazila of Rangpur to introduce them with Bt brinjal farmer Mr. Afzal Hossain. It is to be noted that Mr. Afzal is growing Bt brinjal since 2014 and this is his third year with Bt brinjal and this year he is growing it without support from BARI. In first two years he received support from BARI for his Bt brinjal field. The team interviewed Mr. Afzal Hossain and captured his field activities. The field looked very good and it was in the early stage of fruiting. The film crew stared their journey to meet another Bt brinjal farmer of Sadullapur upazila under Gaibandha district who was featured in some Bangladeshi media. It took a good time for the travel and the team managed few day light time for shooting. Mr. Moynul is growing Bt brinjal for the first time in his field. Earlier

Figure 1: Bt brinjal research field inside OFRD Rangpur

Figure 2: Bt brinjal farmer Afzal Hossain with Dutch film crew

Figure 3: Bt brinjal farmer Moynul, Bithi and their uncle with the team

he grew non-Bt brinjal in the field costing a good amount of money for pesticides. This year he has not sprayed any pesticide in the field. Moynul’s field was featured in several national media and he has already harvested Brinjal from his field. Mr Moynul took Bt brinjal seed from the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) office of Sadullapur upazila. The DAE officer of this upazila said that with support from DAE about 100 farmers received Bt brinjal seed in this season and growing it in respective fields. The film crew decided to work more with Moynul to capture his daily life and field activity on the next day. For this they requested BARI to cancel the other planned trips to Bogra, Pabna and Ishurdi. The team arrived at the Spices Research Centre, Bogra at around 9:30pm and took dinner in a local restaurant of Bogra. Day 3, February 5, 2016:

The team left the Spices Research Centre, Bogra at 6:15am to capture Moynul’s early morning activities. They captured Moynul’s daily life activities with his family along with his field activities. Moynul harvested around 20kg brinjal and sold it in the local market, which was also captured. It was a weekend and Friday prayer (Jumma) day and the team had to give a break for the prayer. The crew also talked with the DAE officer and interviewed him about Bt brinjal adoption. The team started their journey back to

Bogra in the afternoon and took dinner in the local restaurant. Day 4, February 6, 2016: The film crew completed their farmers’ field activity in north-bengal region and captured some of their own (film crew) conversation in the Spices Research Centre, Bogra in the morning. After completion of the shooting they moved to Bogra city for lunch. The team started their journey back in Dhaka in the afternoon and arrived at around 10:00pm in Dhaka.

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Figure 4: Bt brinjal farmer Moynul harvesting brinjal