In 2003, FAO launched an on-line searchable database called FAO-BioDeC providing information on crop biotechnology products/techniques in use or in the pipeline in developing countries (including countries with economies in transition). The database has now been expanded to include data from the forestry sector. In addition, some initial data from livestock has now been included while the crop sector data has also been updated. FAO-BioDeC now contains over 2,000 entries from crops, 700 from forestry and 100 from animals. The database is still evolving and verification and regular updating of information in the database is also being done through a network of national correspondents that have volunteered for the task. See http://www.fao.org/biotech/inventory_admin/dep/default.asp or contact [email protected] for more information or if interested in volunteering to be a FAO-BioDeC national correspondent. Ideally, correspondents should be working in the public sector, specialising in agricultural biotechnology or in a related area, and they should be up-to-date with the status of development, adoption and application of biotechnologies in their country. There are currently 55 correspondents in 52 countries (http://www.fao.org/biotech/inventory_admin/biodec-corr.htm).

13/03/2005