ENB @ COP/MOP-3; 13-17 March 2006; Curitiba, Brazil; Highlights for Tuesday, 14 March 2006

	English			French			Spanish
Archives	HTM	PDF	TXT	HTM	PDF	TXT	HTM	PDF	TXT
Curtain Raiser
Mon 13
Tue 14
Wed 15
Thu 16
Fri 17 & Summary

Daily web coverage:
Curtain Raiser - 13 March - 14 March
15 March - 16 March - 17 March

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

13-17 March 2006| Curitiba, Brazil

Highlights for Tuesday, 14 March 2006

Delegates to the third meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP/MOP-3) met in the morning in two working groups (WGs) and in the afternoon in plenary. In the evening, a contact group convened on detailed requirements for documentation and identification of living modified organisms (LMOs) for food, feed or processing (Article 18.2(a)). Working Group I (WG-I) addressed handling, transport, packaging and identification, and risk assessment and management. Working Group II (WG-II) considered capacity building, the roster of biosafety experts, and assessment and review.

Above photo: EU delegates discussing a draft decision on capacity building during a session in WG-2.

WORKING GROUP I

HANDLING, TRANSPORT, PACKAGING AND IDENTIFICATION:

BELIZE and others favored using a stand-alone document rather than a commercial invoice.

Above photo: Michael Deshield (Belize)

ZIMBABWE

noted that only LMO-producing countries have relevant experience.

Above photo: Abisai Mafa (Zimbabwe)

BURKINA FASO

noted that that a commercial invoice would be referred to the national authorities responsible for trade, not biosafety.

Above photo: Zourata Lompo Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso)

GLOBAL INDUSTRY COALITION explained that a stand-alone document is not necessary to comply with Article 18.2 (b) and (c).

Above photo L-R: Tom Nickson and Doris Ponzoni (GIC)

BRAZIL highlighted capacity concerns related to complying with standards.

Above photo: Hadil da Rocha Vianna (Brazil)

SENEGAL called for rapidly developing standards.

Above photo: Mandiaye Ndiaye (Senegal)

RISK ASSESSMENT AND RISK MANAGEMENT:



Nigeria, for AFRICA, favored expanding the compilation of available guidance documents on the Biosafety Information Resource Centre. Above photo: Ositadinma Anaedu (Nigeria)	The THIRD WORLD NETWORK supported Bolivia's call for public participation in risk assessment. Above photo: Li Ching Lim (Third World Network)	The FAO drew attention to relevant material produced under the International Plant Protection Convention and the Codex Alimentarius, and to its capacity-building efforts. Above photo: Brent Larson (FAO)

WORKING GROUP II

CAPACITY BUILDING :



CUBA suggested replacing poverty reduction strategy papers (PRSPs) with “objectives agreed at other UN Conferences, including the Millennium Development Goals.” Above photo: Julio Cesár González Manchante (Cuba)	The EU proposed incuding reference to PRSPs, when available or scheduled for revision. Above photo: Cosima Hufler (Austria)	CAMEROON said mention to PRSPs would increase the burden on developing countries. Above photo: Mary Fosi Mbantenkhu (Cameroon)

PLENARY:

COMPLIANCE:

COP/MOP-3 President Raya Nasron ( Malaysia ) requested comments related to the Compliance Committee's voting procedures, cases of repeated non-compliance and review of procedures and mechanisms.

Above photo: COP/MOP-3 President Raya Nasron ( Malaysia ) with Cyrie Shendashonga Secretary of COP/MOP-3.

On measures to address cases of repeated non-compliance, UKRAINE and others said they were willing to consider options at this meeting.

Above photo: Volodymyr Domashlinets (Ukraine)

On voting procedures, NEW ZEALAND and others supported rulings by consensus.

Above photo: Alan Cook (New Zealand)



THAILAND and others, supported qualified majority voting to prevent veto by non-compliant parties. Above photo: Vithet Srinetr (Thailand)	On review of the procedures and mechanisms, NORWAY and others said it is premature to address the issue at this meeting. Above photo: Beate Bergluno Ekeberg (Norway)	Compliance Committee Chair, Veit Koster (Denmark), stressed that all existing compliance mechanisms under other agreements allow decision-making by qualified majority.

MATTERS RELATED TO THE FINANCIAL MECHANISM AND RESOURCES:



The GEF presented a report on ratifying and implementing the Protocol, and noted its assistance in implementing national biosafety frameworks. Above photo L-R: Paz Valiente and Mario Ramos (GEF)	EL SALVADOR called for more capacity building. Above photo L-R: Jorge Ernesto Quezada Diaz (El Salvador)	CAMBODIA , highlighted the need to review the GEF's Resource Allocation Framework. Above photo: Pisey Oum (Cambodia)

COOPERATION WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS:



The REPUBLIC OF KOREA highlighted concerns regarding potential conflicts with the World Trade Organization (WTO) in implementing the Protocol. Above photo: Heung-Kyeong Park (Republic of Korea)	AFRICA said that continuing to request observer status amounted to subordinating the Protocol to the WTO. Above photo: Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egzhiaber (Ethiopia)	CBD Executive Secretary Djoghlaf outlined recent developments, highlighting an upcoming meeting with the WTO Director-General.

LIABILITY AND REDRESS:

Above photos L-R: René Lefeber (the Netherlands), Co-Chair of the Working Group on Liability and Redress, introduced the report from the Working Group's second meeting. Gurdial Singh (Malaysia) underscored that many developing countries aim for a legally binding liability and redress instrument.

up to top
13 March




Please e-mail the Digital Editor if you have any questions regarding the content of this page. \| Back to Linkages home \| Visit IISDnet \| Send e-mail to ENB \| © 2006, IISD. All rights reserved.