The Development of the National Biosafety Framework UNEP/GEF project and Cartagen Protocol on Biological Safety

Basic Information

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) was negotiated within the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as the first protocol to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It was adopted after complicated negotiations by the Extraordinary Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity on January 29, 2000 in Montreal, Canada. It belongs to the most important international environmental treaties adopted at the very beginning of a new millennium.

The aim of the Protocol is to ensure an adequate level of protection in the field of the safe handling, use and transfer of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. The Protocol is specifically focusing on transboundary movements of living modified organisms and should ensure protection mainly in countries without national legislation on living modified organisms. At the same time the Protocol respects sovereign rights of States and does not prevent adoption of more severe measures at national level, which are consistent with the objective of the Protocol and are in accordance with the Party other obligations under international treaties. The Protocol shall not apply to the transboundary movement of living modified organisms intended for pharmaceutical (human) use, referring to other international treaties or organisations addressing this issue (first of all the World Health Organisation - WHO).

A precondition for implementation of the Protocol is its entry into force, for which 50 ratifications (acceptances, approvals or accessions) is required (in May 2003 - 48 States). A lengthy process is a consequence of this relatively high number required in comparison with other international environmental treaties, connected with necessity to adopt a new legislation or to harmonize existing one in potential Parties.

The new UNEP/GEF Project, launched in June 2001, aims to assist countries - Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity - in ratification and implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The main objectives of the Projects are:

• Elaboration of Surveys of measures adopted at national level.
• Adoption of new and/or harmonization of already existing legislation on living modified organisms.
• Develop the national Biosafety Clearing House compatible with the Biosafety Clearing House of the Convention on Biological Diversity, promote information sharing and public awareness.
• Promote sub-regional and regional collaboration in information and experience sharing.

More than 100 countries expressed their interest to be involved in the Project.

The Czech Republic signed the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety on May 24, 2000, during the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nairobi, Kenya, when it was open for signature (on the basis of the Czech Republic Government Decision of May 10, 2000). The Czech Republic belongs to the first Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity ratifying the Cartagena Protocol (ratification instruments deposited on October 8, 2001, the ČR thus becoming the seventh country in this process).

The Czech Republic was one of the first countries joining the Project. After approval by competent national authorities the Project "Development of the National Biosafety Framework for the Czech Republic" started since July 1, 2002, with supposed duration of 18 months. UNEP/GEF elaborated rules for its framework content and timing of actions. The National Co-ordinating Committee was established, composed from representatives of interested sectors and institutions, Czech Comission for the Use of Genetically Modifies Organisms and Products, non-governmental organisations and private sector. Prof. Jan Káš, Institute of Chemical Technology, was nominated National Project Co-ordinator. The Ministry of the Environment is the National Executing Agency, its Environmental Risks Department guaranties technical aspects of activities (contact person Mrs. Zuzana Doubková), contact person of the Ministry of the Environment is Mrs. Milena Roudná, Global Relations Department.

Milena Roudná