ENB:09:17
[
Next] .
[
Previous] .
[
Contents]
BIOSAFETY:
Although the issue of biosafety has been the
subject of numerous consultations since the adoption of the
Convention on Biological Diversity, there is still no agreement on
the need for a protocol on biosafety or the way this issue should
be addressed by the COP. As a result of continued disagreement on
these issues, the recommendations of the ICCBD to the COP are not
particularly straightforward. For example, the recommendations of
a small drafting group on this issue read as follows: "A
significant number of representatives expressed support for
immediate work on a protocol, while others expressed support for
the Conference of the Parties establishing a step-by-step process
to consider the need for, and modalities of, a protocol." The fact
that the negotiation of this sentence took longer than the
discussions on biosafety is a poor reflection of the process of UN
negotiations. The only area where there was general agreement was
that the Committee should recommend that the issue of biosafety
should be on the agenda of the first meeting of the COP.