Deise M. F. Capalbo¹, Maria José A. Sampaio² and Mônica C. Amâncio³

With such a variety of topics presented during the workshop (like legal framework, important research for GM crops, market, non-legal important issues, case-studies) the group reflected about the importance of the workshop and considered that from the lessons learned from the participants experiences and taking into account the many challenges faced in applying the GM technology in Brazil and USA agriculture, the capacity to develop GM technology and to evaluate the risks require political decision, a framework in place and good infrastructure - physical and human resources. It is important that countries and scientists in African countries are ready to engage in scientific and funding partnerships to develop GM technology, and to help establish the basis upon which a strong regulatory system can be developed.

By the presentations from the African countries groups present at the meeting, it could be seen that African agriculture has been faced, for decades, by multiple challenges. However, biotechnology can offer tools to increase crop productivity, as well to contribute towards food security and poverty eradication in Africa. Although biotechnology is gradually being embraced across the globe, it nevertheless faces much opposition. Challenges to its adoption include:

perceptions and attitudes
access to and use of proprietary technology biotechnology policy
the cost of biotechnology research.

¹ Researcher at Embrapa Envrionment
² Researcher at Embrapa Headquarters, Secretariat of International Affairs
³ Lawyer at Embrapa Headquarters, Legal Service