Additional file 2
Stages of development in the Bt maize Egypt project
Prior to 1999 / · Variety of Bt Maize developed by Monsanto in RSA1999 / · initiated a joint project with the private Egyptian company, Fine Seeds International, for the development, commercialization and distribution of Bt maize in Egypt.Fine Seeds international approached Monsanto regarding another one of their agricultural technologies; Monsanto convinced them to take on maize seed germplasm to improve quality of conventional seeds in Egypt
· Fine Seeds International agreed to be Egyptian entity for Bt maize in Eygpt, using Monsanto’s Mon810 with Egyptian maize line (Ageeb-YG)
2000 / · Fine Seeds submitted application for regulatory approval of Ajeeb-YG to National Biosafety Committee (NBC) in Egypt, on behalf of Monsanto
· Information from Monsanto and Fine Seeds International provided to NBC by Fine Seeds
2004/2005 / · Biosafety assessment began, lead by NBC
· No biosafety legislation existed, rather followed Cartenga protocol and Egyptian government-imposed European guidelines for risk assessment
2005-2008 / · NBC lead institutes of ministries involved in risk assessment and testing (i.e., economic institute, agricultural genetics engineering research institute, central administration fo rseed certificantion, centre for food and feed, etc.) carried out risk assessment and testing.
· Approximately 1000 acres of Ajeeb-YG planted
2008 / · Ajeeb-YG approved for use in Egypt (registered and certified)
· Commercialization began with importation from RSA and seed availed to farmers in 10 Egyptian governorates
2009-2010 / · Fine seeds with Monsanto agreed as they attained conditional approvale for continued commercialization as feed through law of Ministry of Agriculture
· Continued to plant locally produced Bt maize seed
2010 / · Planting of imported seed resumed in 2010
· 2,000 hectares planted
2010-2011 / · Continuation of planting and testing of other varieties for Bt maize in Egypt