Required Report - public distribution

**Date:** 7/11/2005

**GAIN Report Number:** SY5004

SY5004

**Syria**

**Biotechnology**

**Agricultural Biotechnology Report**

**2005**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Asif J. Chaudhry

Cairo

**Prepared by:**

Fred Giles and Jaber Dalati

**Report Highlights:**

Biotechnology is a new issue in Syria. It has not had the necessary and
thorough studies until now due to the lack of suitable research
laboratories that can detect such an advanced technology on large scale.
This issue has not affected the large volume of corn and soybean exports
from the United States to Syria in the past and is not expected to do so
in the near future.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Annual Report

Damascus \[SY1\]

\[SY\]

**SECTION I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY**

The biotechnology issue is relatively new in Syria. Only limited
authorities have an idea about biotechnology. The Ministry of
Agriculture and Agrarian Reform does not have instructions regarding
biotechnology. Exporters of sunflower seeds have to present a
certificate for sunflower seed imported for crushing. The United States
does not export any sunflower seeds to Syria due to the presence of
cheaper sources in East Europe. U.S. exports of corn, soybeans, and
soybean meal are not affected by any decisions on biosafety. This is
expected to continue in the foreseeable future. Imports of vegetable
seeds may be required to be non-genetically modified in the future.

# SECTION II. BIOTECHNOLOGY TRADE AND PRODUCTION

Syria does not produce any biotechnology products, and none are under
development. The major agricultural products exported from the United
States to Syria are corn, soybeans, soybean meal and vegetable seeds.
Imports of all these products are not required to be accompanied by a
certificate indicating that they are produced from non-genetically
modified organisms.

This is for two reasons:

1.  The lack of suitable laboratories to check for the presence of GMOs
    in shipments of corn, soybeans, soybean meal, and vegetable seeds.
    The Central Feed Laboratory of the Syrian Ministry of Agriculture
    and Agrarian Reform that collects samples and approves introducing
    feed ingredients to the local market does not have the equipment or
    the expertise to do such tests.

2.  Decision makers at the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform
    realize that any decision to ban imports of genetically modified
    feed ingredients that are traded on large scale in the international
    market will lead to a sharp increase in feed cost, and eventually
    the cost of all animal products, that the Syrian consumer cannot
    afford.

Syria imports large quantities of corn, soybeans and soybean meal,
mainly from the United States and Argentina. A significant part of these
two commodities from both origins is believed to be genetically
engineered. Much smaller quantities of corn come from East European
sources. Syria is not a food aid recipient or likely to be so in the
near future. Syria does not produce any biotechnology crops that were
developed outside the United States. Syria does not export any crop or
product that is genetically engineered to the United States.

# SECTION III. BIOTECHNOLOGY POLICY

The major player is the General Authority for Agricultural Research in
the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform. The Ministry of Health
and the Ministry of Environment do not currently have a large role in
this field. A biosafety committee has been established. This committee
is formed of members from the Ministry of Higher Education, Ministry of
Agriculture and Agrarian Reform (the General Authority of Agricultural
Research), Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health, and the Atomic
Energy Authority.

According to the General Authority for Agricultural Research that
submits the recommendations to the higher authorities to make the final
decision, genetically modified organism will not be prohibited from
import if they will be used as a feed ingredient or as a raw material
for the local industry. However, some restrictions will be imposed on
the imports of any commodity that is going to be imported for planting
in Syria. This new policy was expected to be issued in late 2004, but
has not yet been announced.

There are no rules in place or proposed on coexistence between
biotechnology and non-biotechnology crops.

Syria did not permit imports of processed products in the past. Under
the Greater Arab Free Trade Agreement (GAFTA) that went into effect on
January 1, 2005, processed foods are permitted to be imported from Arab
countries that have ratified the agreement. Prevailing labeling
instructions do not provide for any requirement to include anything on
the label regarding biotechnology.

Syria signed and ratified the Biosafety Protocol in 2004. The Biosafety
Committee is responsible for taking any necessary actions to ensure
compliance with the protocol. The only impact on trade until now is the
condition that imports of sunflower seeds for crushing purposes be
accompanied by a certificate that they are not genetically modified.

To date, there are no biotechnology-related trade barriers that hurt
U.S. exports. The new legislation, when announced, is not expected to
affect bulk commodities exports from the United States to Syria.
Economics (and not politics) will be the major force behind continuing
with the current policy. Exporters of vegetable seeds may be required to
provide a certificate that the seeds are not genetically modified.

# SECTION IV. MARKETING ISSUES

The average consumer is not usually concerned about the biotechnology
issue since practically all the processed foods he had access to were
either locally produced or smuggled from neighboring countries, mainly
Lebanon. The general trend is that if the product is acceptable to be
consumed in the country of origin, it should be acceptable to be
consumed by the local consumer.

# SECTION V. CAPACITY BUILDING AND OUTREACH

Syria is not entitled to make use of any programs such as Emerging
Markets, Cochran, or Borlaug.

USDA held a regional seminar on biotechnology in Cairo, Egypt in
December 2004. Two senior officials from the General Authority for
Agricultural Research attended the seminar for three days. Such seminars
are very helpful in allowing Syrian researchers in this critical field
to meet their counterparts in other Arab countries and the United
States, exchange points of view, adopt science-based strategies, and
submit recommendations to the final decision makers that should
facilitate the decision making process.