www.checkbiotech.org ; www.raupp.info ; www.czu.cz

At a time when India is making global headlines and is well positioned to
emerge as a major player in the global biotech sector, the progress in
biotechnology comes with its own share of perceived risks....(November
2006)

? ? to biodiversity, food security, health and economy. To allay the
fears, 135 countries support the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, an
international legal agreement under the UN Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD). ?It is the only international law that deals specifically
with respect to genetic engineering and genetically modified organisms
(GMOs),? says Ahmed Djoghlaf, executive secretary, UN Convention on
Biological Diversity. ?While developing countries need to have laws and
regulations on biosafety, India is fast emerging as a role model for others
in framing their regulatory framework,? he informs Sudhir Chowdhary.
Excerpts:

Don?t you feel biotechnology continues to be mired in controversy?

It?s not unusual. As you are aware, modern biotechnology is one of the new
knowledge-intensive technologies that have the potential to make a valuable
contribution to the improvement of the socio-economic welfare of mankind,
particularly in the field of agriculture, medicine, industrial development
and environmental protection. Indeed, some countries, including India, have
rapidly embraced this technology.

According to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech
Applications 2005 report on the global status of commercialised biotech/GM
crops, the total agricultural area coverage for approved GM crops grew to
222 million acres in 2005, up from 200 million acres in 2004, marking an
annual growth rate of 11%. In the coming years, biotechnology is likely to
become one of the key driving forces of our daily lives?from the food we
eat, the medicine we use, to the fuels that power our cars.

At the same time, let me reiterate that the technology could also have
potential adverse effects on biodiversity and human health if not properly
regulated, managed and controlled.

What is being done to ensure proper regulation at a global level?

We have the Cartagena Protocol on biosafety in place. It is the first
international regulatory framework for biosafety. The Protocol was adopted
in January 2000 and entered into force from September 11, 2003. As such, it
sets out a comprehensive regulatory system for ensuring the safe transfer,
handling and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) with a clear focus on
trans-boundary movement.

But, is it really effective?

The Protocol has received remarkable support and steady progress is being
made in its implementation. The number of parties to the Protocol continues
to grow, and currently stands at 135. This is a clear sign of the confidence
of the global community places in it.

What practical steps have been taken to ensure the practical implementation
of this global initiative?

The governing body of the Protocol ? the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol
(COP-MOP)?has adopted several decisions, which focus on operational
modalities, tools, mechanisms and work programmes, including the Biosafety
Clearing House, an action plan on capacity, building, the coordination
mechanism for capacity-building activities, among others.

So, what progress has been made in implementing the Protocol?

Thanks to the Global Environment Facility (GEF), progress has been made in
some areas, particularly with respect to the development of the national
biosafety frameworks. Through this, more than 130 countries have completed
or are about to complete developing their National Biosafety Frameworks; at
least 12 countries, including India, are in the process of implementing
their frameworks with support provided through UNEP, UNDP and the World
Bank.

What has been the role played by the Global Environment Facility? Is it a
funding agency?

It is currently the largest donor for biosafety capacity-building
activities. According to the recent survey carried out by the Institute of
Advanced Studies of the United Nations University, the GEF has, over the
last five years, invested close to $60 million in biosafety
capacity-building projects, including the India-World Bank/GEF Project on
capacity building in biosafety. This accounts for more than 40% of the total
bilateral and multilateral funding assistance for biosafety. It is also
important to note than of the $3.13 billion for the fourth GEF replenishment
over the next four years, more than $80 million will be spent on biosafety
projects.

Do you feel India has an effective biosafety framework?

India has developed a robust regulatory framework for GMOs. It is also
advanced when it comes to biosafety. As a result, it will show the way to
other countries when it comes to conserving nature and making use of its
gifts sustainably and with equity. With its enabling policy environment,
India is committed to achieving the 2010 biodiversity target. It will also
emerge as a role model for other countries in framing their regulatory
framework. And not just India, we expect cooperation from other countries to
have an international regime on access and benefit-sharing by 2010, wherein
the concerns of developing countries are adequately addressed.

Why do you think Indian farmers are wary of adopting GM crops?

I know there is a lot of anxiety with regard to GMOs here. This, however, is
normal. When you deal with life, you cannot be impartial. You have to be
intensely involved. The debate on GMOs and LMOs is triggered by passion and
emotion.

www.checkbiotech.org

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