Commission proposes EU implementation of Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
A regulation on the cross-border movement of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) is to be proposed by the European Commission to establish international safeguards for their transfer, handling and use. The proposal will implement into EU legislation the provisions of the United Nations Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The EU played a key role in the conclusion of this protocol and is preparing, in parallel, a proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of the Biosafety Protocol which aims to ensure its ratification by the European Union. The Commission's proposal, part of the EU legal framework on biotechnology, contains rules for the implementation of the protocol's provisions. It complements existing EU biotech legislation, mainly in the field of exporter obligations and information sharing at international level. It will not entail any modification of the existing legal framework on GMOs, which has been proven consistent with the provisions of the protocol. The Commission's proposal contains three main elements. These include a notification obligation for exports of GMOs intended for deliberate release into the environment and the introduction of an information obligation at international level on EU practices, legislation and decisions on GMOs. This obligation sets rules for the identification of GMOs for export in line with the proposal on the labelling and traceability of GMOs put forward by the European Commission. As an importer of GMOs, the protocol also allows the European Union to use existing EU legislation on the basis that this has been shown to be consistent with the requirements of the protocol. The sole exception to this is transboundary movements of GMOs, where the protocol's rules for information apply. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, adopted in January 2000, is a supplementary agreement to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. It aims to ensure the safe transfer, handling and use of GMOs, particularly with regard to the protection of biodiversity and human health. It establishes an information procedure to ensure that countries are provided with the information necessary to make informed decisions before agreeing to the import of GMOs into their territory. The protocol is particularly useful for developing countries as it gives them the power to decide which GM plants they want to receive. The protocol has been signed by 107 parties and ratified by 11 so far. At least 50 ratifications are needed for the protocol to enter into force.