Seminar on Liability and Redress for Damage to Biological Diversity in China

A seminar on Liability and redress for damage to biological diversity caused by LMO co-organized by CropLife China Biotech Committee, Chinese Society of Biotechnology and ISAAA China Biotechnology Information Center was held on October 28, 2011. Chinese delegates from relevant government departments and institutions attended the seminar.

Prof. Hongxiang Zhang, vice president of the Chinese Society of Biotechnology, gave the background of the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol (N-KL SP) and the Compact. Dominic Muyldermans, senior consultant of CropLife International, spoke on N-KL SP, on Liability and Redress- Ratification and Implementation. Prof Dafang Huang, Director of ISAAA ChinaBIC, introduced biotechnology development and achievements in China and led the discussion on biotech and biosafety case studies. He said, "Biotechnology has become the inevitable trend of China's agriculture development. China has established a relatively complete system of GMO assessment and management."

Mr. Weixue Cheng, former director general of the Department of International Cooperation, shared his opinion on liability and redress. He mentioned that it was very important to hear different voices from different sides regarding biosafety which would be helpful for enhancing GMO risk management in China.

For more information on developments in China, contact zhanghx@mail.las.ac.cn