December 2011: The latest update of the BiotechNews Newsletter of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) reports on an e-mail conference on strengthening partnerships in agricultural biotechnologies for the benefit of smallholders in developing countries. It also highlights an article on agricultural biotechnologies in developing countries and their possible contribution to food security.

Held from 14 November-18 December 2011, the e-mail conference addressed, among other issues, public-private partnerships, South-South cooperation and the importance and modalities of involving smallholder farmers in partnerships. About 340 subscribers participated in the conference, which generated more than 70 posts. The contributions can be accessed through the FAO Biotechnology Forum website.

The newsletter also includes stories on: the approval of the Second Global Plan of Action for the Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture by the FAO Conference; a call for experts for the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives of the FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO); and the publication of the second national reports under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. [Publication: Agricultural Biotechnologies in Developing Countries and their Possible Contribution to Food Security] [FAO BiotechNews] [FAO Biotechnology Forum]