ISAAA Statement: Biosafety Clearing House

I speak on behalf of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications. For the last two decades, ISAAA runs the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology, which complements the work of the Biosafety Clearing House.

ISAAA recognizes the Importance of Article 20 of the CBD that mandates parties to establish an online BCH portal for exchange of information and experience with LMOs. Notwithstanding its intent, it is alarming to note that the progress on the implementation of the Biosafety clearing house remains incomplete, unutilized and incomprehensible.

In this context, the parties of the protocol may note that ISAAA maintains the most reliable repository of global database on LMOs. The database contains information about the commercial approval of LMOs and, also the approval for import of LMOs granted by different countries for food and feed use. The global database on LMOs can be accessed from ISAAA website.

In addition, ISAAA's knowledge sharing program offers global community with credible updated progress and adoption of LMOs in its annual report on commercialized LMOs, which has been a valuable resource for the parties in the last two decades.

Dr. Rhodora Aldemita
Director, Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology
Officer-in-charge, SEAsiaCenter
International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA)