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Cartagena Protocol on biosafety
In January 2000, the COP adopted the first protocol under
the Convention on biosafety, which entered into force in September
2003. Currently there are more than 120 Parties to the Cartagena
Protocol.
In accordance with the precautionary principle (Principle
15 of the Rio Declaration) the Protocol primarily focuses
on the transboundary movements of living modified organisms
(LMOs) that may have adverse effects on the conservation and
sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into
account risks to human health. It seeks adequate protection
in the field of the safe transfer, handling and use of LMOs.
The Protocol establishes an advance informed agreement (AIA)
procedure for the first transboundary transfer of LMOs for
intentional release into the environment of the importing
Party. Under the AIA procedure the Party of export shall notify
or require the exporter to notify the importing country. The
notification shall also include the report of a scientifically
sound risk assessment. The importing country can approve or
prohibit the import, or request any further relevant information.
The Parties shall establish and maintain appropriate mechanisms,
measures and strategies to regulate, manage and control risks
identified in the risk assessment associated with the use,
handling and transboundary movement of LMOs.
Whenever a Party makes a final decision regarding domestic
use, including placing on the market, of an LMO that may be
subject to transboundary movement for direct use as food or
feed, or for processing shall, within fifteen days, inform
the Parties through the Biosafety Clearing-House. This however
shall not apply to decisions regarding field trials.
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Biosafety Clearing-House>>
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