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Immediate
ratification of Biosafety Protocol needed
The
Hague, the Netherlands 23 April 2002 – Government representatives
from around the world are meeting 22-26 April in the
Hague (Netherlands) at the third Intergovernmental Committee
on the UN Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (ICCP-3) to
elaborate safety rules for handling and trading genetically
modified organisms (GMOs). The discussions take place
at a crucial time; the first case of genetic
contamination by GMOs of a centre of diversity must
be addressed, and a number of countries are deciding
on their regulations concerning labelling, traceability
and imports of GMOs.
Greenpeace
supports the Biosafety Protocol and calls for:
- Immediate
ratification of the Biosafety Protocol
- Establishment
of an effective liability regime that covers all aspects
of the Biosafety Protocol; this regime should be implemented
as soon as possible after the Protocol’s entry into
force;
- Immediate
enactment of special measures to protect centres of
genetic diversity/origin and other environmentally
sensitive areas from being contaminated by GMOs
- Each
transport of an LMO to be accompanied with precise
information on the GMOs that are carried. The producer
of the GMO must provide an internationally standardised
Unique Identifier with each transport, and information
that enables the identification and standardised testing
of GMOs.
- The
Biosafety Clearinghouse to be provided with all available
information regarding the GMOs (i.e. taxonomic and
genetic nature, intended use, risk assessment, monitoring
results, approval information, scientific findings).
The Biosafety Clearinghouse must be notified of all
transboundary movements of GMOs, including unintended
spread, and presence in products or in the environment.
- The
Biosafety Clearinghouse to provide equal access to
its information to all parties involved.
- Capacity
building initiatives to urgently be directed at enabling
immediate and practical means of identification and
regulation of GMO imports in all signatory states,
especially in developing countries. Capacity for risk
assessment in the varied environmental conditions
of the countries of import should be considered as
a high priority.
Further
reading:
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