ENB @COP-MOP2, Montreal, Canada 30 May

Second Meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

30 May - 3 June 2005, Montreal, Canada

Earth Negotiations Bulletin - ENB

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Highlights for Thursday, 2 June 2005

Delegates to the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP/MOP-2) convened in two working group sessions. Working Group I (WG-I) discussed conference room papers (CRP) on handling, transport, packaging and identification (HTPI), and risk assessment and risk management. Working Group II (WG-II) considered a CRP on socioeconomic considerations. Both working group approved their respective reports. A contact group discussed documentation for living modified organisms for food, feed or processing (LMO-FFPs). A Friends of the Chair group considered the rules of procedure of the Compliance Committee.

Above photo: EU delegates in consultation during a session of the Contact Group for LMO-FFPS.

WORKING GROUP I
RISK ASSESSMENT AND RISK MANAGEMENT:


Above photo L-R: The WG-I dais with Worku Damena (CBD), Chair Ivars, Kirsty Galloway Mclean (CBD), and Ryan Hill (CBD).	ITALY asked to reflect its offer to provide funding for the AHTEG. Above photo L-R: Damiano Luchetti and Stefano Gomes (Italy)


NEW ZEALAND highlighted the AHTEG’s focus on capacity building. Above photo L-R: Jane Coombs and Sarah Wynn-Williams (New Zealand)	On developing guidance for a harmonized approach, BRAZIL proposed that COP/MOP take into account internationally agreed “guidelines” rather than “principles.” Above photo L-R: Bernardo Velloso and Hadil Fontes Da Rocha Vianna (Brazil)

HTPI:


Co-Chair Pythoud (above) reported on progress in the contact group.	FUNDACION SOCIADADES SUSTENTABLES speaking on behalf of LATIN AMERICAN CIVIL SOCIETY expressed concern with Brazil’s position in the negotiations on documentation for LMO-FFPs. Above photo: Maria Isabel Manzur (Fundacion Sociadades Sustentables)

WORKING GROUP II

SOCIOECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS:


On operative text inviting Parties and governments to cooperate within relevant processes under other organizations and arrangements, BRAZIL called for identifying these processes.	Above photo L-R: The WG II dais with Erie Tamale (CBD) Chair Santos and Cyrie Sendashonga (CBD)


NEW ZEALAND opposed reference to modalities of incorporating socioeconomic considerations into import decisions, arguing that decision making under Protocol Article 26.1 exceeds the COP/MOP-2 mandate. Above photo: Keawe Woodmore (New Zealand)	On text inviting Parties, governments and organizations to share research methods and results through the BCH, ARMENIA suggested adding a reference to LMO impact not only on biodiversity but also on genetic resources. Above photo: Artashes Ziroyan (Armenia)


AUSTRALIA reiterated the lack of an internationally agreed definition of socioeconomic considerations. Above photo: Thomas Roth (Australia)	MADAGASCAR supported a request for submission of views and case studies on socioeconomic impacts of LMOs, also including possible modalities of incorporating socioeconomic considerations into import decisions. Above photo: Elisa Harifera (Madagascar)

CONTACT GROUP ON DOCUMENTATION OF LMO-FFPS:


The Co-Chairs presented language on documentation of shipments containing a mixture of LMO-FFPs. Above photo: Co-Chairs Khansari (Iran) and Pythoud (Switzerland).	Above photo: African delegates in consultation regarding language on documentation.


Co-Chair Nematollah Khansari (Iran) reported on the outcome of the Friends of the Co-Chairs group.	Above photo: Japanese delegates in a huddle to coordinate during a break in the Contact Group.