The
Hague, the Netherlands 26 April 2002 – The meeting on
the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in the Hague, the
Netherlands ended today without significant progress.
This important protocol to the Convention on Biodiversity
aims to establish a system for the safe transfer, handling
and use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Attempts
for progress at the meeting were blocked by several
nations, most notably the USA, Argentina, Australia.
Yet the USA is not even a party to the Convention on
Biodiversity.
Among
other issues, the meeting addressed aspects of the Biosafety
Protocol including decision-making, handling, transport,
packaging and identification, and liability and redress.
So
far 17 countries around the world have ratified the
Biosafety Protocol, far short of the 50 needed for it
to enter into force. On the last day of the meeting
Greenpeace awarded delegations of ratifying countries
with a sunflower to congratulate them for taking this
positive step. Delegations from the USA, Australia and
Argentina received a lemon in recognition of their country's
sour attitude towards the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
The
urgent need for a strong Biosafety Protocol is illustrated
by the discovery six months ago of genetic contamination
of maize in Mexico. This was the first case of genetic
pollution in a centre of origin and diversity of a major
food crop. While the Biosafety Protocol meeting was
taking place, Indian communities from affected regions,
Greenpeace, and other NGOs requested a NAFTA commission
to analyse the impact of genetically engineered maize
and determine the sources of contamination.
Greenpeace
calls on governments to immediately ratify the Biosafety
Protocol, thereby ensuring that the next meeting on
the protocol will be a Conference of the Parties with
true decision-making power.
See
our background
section for further information on the Biosafety
Protocol
Further
reading:
