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Published in Winter 2004
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Top experts to counsel NAFTA governments on maize
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In October 2002,
the CEC appointed a 17-member international advisory group to guide the
development of an independent report on Maize and Biodiversity: The Effects of
Transgenic Maize in Mexico. This guidance includes formal recommendations to
the CEC's Council—composed of the environment ministers, or equivalent, for Canada,
Mexico and the United States—upon release of the final report in June
2004.
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>>Maize Advisory Group
What is the purpose of the report?
The purpose of
this report is to examine, from different perspectives, issues related to gene
flow from transgenic varieties of maize to Mexican land races of maize and
their wild relatives. Specifically, the report will include an identification
of potential risks and benefits of transgenic maize; an assessment of genetic
diversity and natural ecosystem effects; health effects; social and cultural
effects; biological effects in agriculture; and mechanisms for public
consultation.
What is the role of the advisory group?
This group will
provide advice to the Secretariat on the development of the report.
Specifically, the advisory group has provided comments to the Secretariat on
the report's scope and objectives, as well as comments on draft report chapters
and background papers. The advisory group will also provide a final statement
and recommendations to the CEC Council on the issues raised in the report.
How was the advisory group selected?
The advisory group
was selected by the Secretariat based on three principles: expertise, a balance
of stakeholder representation, and country of origin. In selecting the advisory
group the Secretariat sought to include expert representatives from the fields
of: ecology, biotechnology, ethics, conservation biology, plant ecology,
sociology, genetics, agro biodiversity, environmental economics, trade, law, as
well as the general public and local community interest. A representative of
the Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) of the CEC has also been appointed
by JPAC.
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