Overview of the Biosafety Protocol

Introduction

In January 2000, four years of intense and difficult negotiations concluded with the adoption of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The Biosafety Protocol is a legally binding instrument that aims to “contribute to ensuring an adequate level of protection in the field of the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health, and specifically focusing on transboundary movements.” Thus the primary, but not exclusive, function of the Protocol is environmental protection with respect to living genetically modified organisms or “LMOs” moving in international trade. The Protocol seeks to accomplish its objective mainly through requiring informed consent (Advanced Informed Agreement) from importing countries prior to the first importation of a new LMO that is intended for release into the environment of the importing country.

• Frequently Asked Questions on the Biosafety Protocol
• Process for implementation of the Biosafety Protocol
• Key Elements of the Biosafety Protocol

Related topics:

• GM Crops and the Environment

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