Biosafety protocol - Definition and Overview

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is an international agreement on biosafety, as a supplement to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The protocol makes clear that products from new technologies must be based on the precautionary principle and allow developing nations to balance public health against economic benefits. It will for example let countries ban imports of a genetically modified product if they feel there is not enough scientific evidence the product is safe and requires exporters to label shipments containing genetically altered commodities such as corn or cotton.

The required number of 50 instruments of ratification/accession/approval/acceptance by States was reached in May 2003. In accordance with the provisions of its Article 37, the Protocol entered into force on 11 September 2003

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External links:

• http://www.biodiv.org/biosafety/
• http://www.fao.org/waicent/faoinfo/sustdev/RTdirect/RTre0034.htm