The third 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-3) opens tomorrow in Curitiba, Brazil, and will continue until 17 March 2006. COP/MOP-3 will consider several reports on ongoing activities within the Protocol’s mandate, as well as: requirements for the handling, transport, packaging and identification living modified organisms (LMOs), documentation requirements for LMOs for food, feed and processing (FFPs); risk assessment and risk management criteria; liability and redress; the need to establish subsidiary bodies; and monitoring, reporting, assessment and review of implementation. 

Above photo: View of the ExpoTrade in Curitiba, Brazil venue for the CBD COP-8 and MOP-3. 

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety addresses the safe transfer, handling and use of LMOs that may have an adverse effect on biodiversity, taking into account human health, with a specific focus on transboundary movements. It includes an advance informed agreement procedure for imports of LMOs for intentional introduction into the environment, and also incorporates the precautionary approach and mechanisms for risk assessment and risk management. The Protocol establishes a Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH) to facilitate information exchange, and contains provisions on capacity building and financial resources, with special attention to developing countries and those without domestic regulatory systems. The Protocol entered into force on 11 September 2003, 90 days after receipt of its 50th instrument of ratification. There are currently 132 Parties to the Protocol.