Public Research and Regulation Initiative

PRRI says that it "offers a forum for the public research sector to be informed about and involved in international agreements that are relevant to modern biotechnology". However, funders include some major biotech intrerests: CropLife International (the biotech industry's global federation), US Grain Council, Monsanto, Arborgen. Members of its steering board such as Roger Beachy have close corporate interests as well. It lobbies against strict regulation of biotechnology. In fact it forms a useful backup for corporate interests.

Its founder, Willy de Greef, has moved on to become head of Europabio. He was head of regulatory affairs at Syngenta Seeds until 2003 and has worked on biosafety: "He has contributed to the development of rational regulatory frameworks for biotechnology for developing countries and
in capacity building for biotechnology researchers in the developing world in biosafety assessment and regulatory compliance".

So this organisation is closely bound in to the interests of leading biotech corporations.