| Working Group
I : Handling, Transport, Packaging and Identification (HTPI) |
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BRAZIL
supported the use of existing commercial documentation for LMOs-FFPs.
Above photo: Benedicto Fonseca (Brazil)
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Tanzania
said documentation should clearly identify if shipments "may
contain" LMOs-FFPs.
Above photo: Erik Mugurusi (Tanzania)
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Uganda,
for the African Group, called for allowing use of unique
identification systems other than the OECD Unique Identifiers
system, noting that it may not be suitable for all
countries.
Above photo: David Hafashimana (Uganda)
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PHILIPPINES
said it has a framework to regulate the release into the
environment of genetically modified plants based on scientific
risk assessment.
Above photo L-R: The Philippines is represented by Mundita Lim,
Margarita Ibayan, and Charo Ampil.
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The
EUROPEAN
COMMUNITY stressed the need to use unique identifiers in
accordance with internationally agreed standards.
Above photo: Nicola Notaro (EC)
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Above
photo: Marc Auer (Germany) and Kimo Goree (ENB/IISD) |
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| Working Group
II: Compliance
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Venezuela supported
Brazil's proposal that the compliance committee consist of four
members from each regional group.
Above photo: Aleidi Sangronis Delgado (Venezuela)
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China opposed punitive measures to address
non-compliance because many countries currently lack the capacity to
comply.
Above photo: Cheng Weixue (China) (center) leads in a
coordination meeting with members of his delegation.
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JAPAN
opposed a balance between importing and exporting countries in the
compliance committee and supported text stating that its members
shall serve in their individual capacity.
Above photo: Hiroshi Kudoh (Japan)
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Cameroon,
for the African Group, said effective procedures for compliance
would assist Parties in identifying their rights and obligations
under the Protocol and clarify the measures they face in case of
non-compliance.
Above photo L-R: Mary Fosi Mbantenkhu (Cameroon) conferring
with Tewolde Berhan Egzhiaber (Ethiopia) |
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| Liability and
Redress: |
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The US said that the expert group of
legal and technical experts on liability and redress should
include scientists to consider the scientific nature of compliance
issues in biosafety.
Above photo: Kathryn Youel-Page (US) |
Peru said that it is essential to
develop a regime on liability and redress, as without such a
regime, the Biosafety Protocol is not meaningful.
Above photo L-R: Miguel Palomino de Gala and Antonietta
Gutierrez-Rosati (Peru) |
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Norway
supported analyzing existing liability and redress regimes and
suggested the expert group prepare its report on rules and
procedures for liability and redress within four years, with
regular reporting to the COP/MOP.
Above photo: Birthe Ivars (Norway)
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The FAO
he asked for clarification of the phytosanitary context of
elements regarding the definition, valuation and threshold of
damage to biodiversity.
Above photo: Clive Stannard (FAO)
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Contact Group: |
Compliance: |
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Delegates
retained reference regarding issuing a caution to the
non-compliant Party, and deleted reference to balance between
importing and exporting countries in the compliance committee. An
informal group will elaborate text on suspension of rights and
privileges, and the co-Chairs will table language on submissions
relating to compliance from the COP/MOP. Regarding submissions
from Parties with respect to other Parties, a co-Chairs' text
will be drafted, calling for corroborating information and
rejection of ill-founded submissions.
Rigth photo L-R: co-Chairs Jürg Bally (Switzerland) and Rawson
Yonazi (Tanzania)
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| HTPI: |
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Above
photo L-R: Dais of the Contact Group on HTPI, Ryan Hill (CBD),
co-Chair Eric Schoonejans (France), co-Chair Veena
Chhotray (India) and Worku Damena-Yifru (CBD) |
Delegates agreed to
establish an open-ended expert working group on identification
requirements for LMO-FFPs, with one region noting the need to
consider budgetary constraints. Delegates also discussed text on
identifying a contact point for providing information on LMO-FFPs,
and on the type of documentation accompanying LMO-FFPs.
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| Plenary: |
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Working Group I Chair
François Pythoud (above) reported on progress made on:
information sharing and the Biosafety Clearing-house (BCH);
handling, transport, packaging and identification; and other
issues for implementation.
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Working Group II Chair Amb. Philémon
Yang (above) reported on progress made on: capacity
building and the roster of experts; compliance; and liability and
redress.
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Above photo L-R: UNU-IAS
participants, Joy Aeree Kim, Alphonse Kambu, and Haruko Okusu |
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The
United
Nations University
reported on its high-level dialog on trade, biotechnology and
sustainable development. |
John
Ashe (Antigua and Barbuda), Chair of the Budget Contact
Group, reported on the contact group's progress.
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| Side
Event: |
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| High
Level Dialogue on Trade, Biotechnology and Sustainable Development |
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Dato's
Seri Najib Razak, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, officiated at the
High Level Dialogue on Trade, Biotechnology and Sustainable Development,
which is jointly organised by the United Nations University Institute of
Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) and the Asia-Europe Foundation on February 21,
Saturday. The one day meeting aimed at engaging with negotiators and
experts in the relevant area to discuss about integrated policy on trade,
biotechnology and sustainable development.
Right photo L-R: A.H. Zakri
Director, UNU-IAS, Dato' Seri Law, Minister of Science, Technology and the
Environment, Dato' Seri Najib Razak, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia,
Hans Van Ginkel, Rector, UNU and Amb. Delfin Colomé, Executive Director,
Asia-Europe Foundation |
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| International
Seminar on Biosafety: |
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The
seminar organised by the Third World Network (TWN) on 22 February 2004, in
collaboration with the Norwegian Institute of Gene Ecology and the New
Zealand Institute of Gene Ecology highlighted the latest independent
scientific and biosafety research. The topics presented include
socio-economic research, emerging trends in genetic engineering and
biological weapons, implications for biosafety regulation and the new
genetics of gene ecology and fluid genome. The event provided delegates to
the MOP-1 to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety with valuable information
for their discussions and negotiations. |
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ENB