Embassy Press Release

Agricultural Biotechnology Conference

September 17, 2008
Timisoara, Romania

The Embassy of the United States of America in Romania and the University of Agronomic Studies Banatul, Timisoara, hosted a conference on September 17 to discuss how agricultural biotechnology can help address the global food crisis and rising domestic food prices in a safe, environmentally sustainable, and economic way. One of the world's leading biotech experts, Dr. Peter Gregory, Director for Biotechnology at New York’s Cornell University, was the featured speaker.

During the conference, Dr. Gregory interacted with more than 100 local officials, academics, students, farmers and industry representatives. Citing a recent EU study that determined biotechnology is safe, Dr. Gregory stressed how biotechnology can compliment conventional agricultural methods, offering limitless possibilities for genetic improvements. He underlined the substantial benefits that biotech products offer for Romanian farmers and consumers.

University Professor Elena Marcela Badea offered insight into the Romanian legal framework and regulatory issues concerning biotechnology.

The conference also included the first screening in Romania of the Frontline documentary “Harvest of Fear” (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/harvest/), which explores the controversy over genetically modified crops.

For more information, please see:

U.S. Department of State: http://fpolicy.america.gov/fpolicy/econ/openmarkets.html
U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service: http://www.fas.usda.gov/itp/biotech/biotech_trade.asp

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