. Advice on the report of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on the Genetic Use Restriction Technologies

Advice on the report of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on the Genetic Use Restriction Technologies

The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice,

Recalling paragraph 4 of decision VII/3 of the Conference of the Parties,

1.      Transmits the following comments of a scientific, technical and technological nature to the Ad Hoc Open-ended Inter-Sessional Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity and to the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties:

(a)      In considering the report of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on the Potential Impacts of Genetic Use Restriction Technologies on Smallholder Farmers, Indigenous and Local Communities and Farmers'Rights (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/9/INF/6), the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice could not reach consensus on the report of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group;

(b)      The Conference of the Parties has already invited Parties and indigenous and local communities to review the recommendations of the report of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (decision VII/3, paras. 3-4), and the results of this review will be submitted by the Executive Secretary to the Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions, which will take them into account when it considers further the potential impacts of genetic use restriction technologies, including cultural and socio-economic impacts, on traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities; and

(c)      Decision V/5 already includes a relatively comprehensive approach to the use of genetic use restriction technologies including drawing attention to the precautionary approach;

2.      Requests that the Executive Secretary notify Parties, other Governments, indigenous and local communities, smallholder farmers'organizations, organizations and other relevant stakeholders to present new comments on the Potential Impacts of Genetic Use Restriction Technologies on Smallholder Farmers, Indigenous and Local Communities and Farmers'Rights and present these directly to the next appropriate meeting of the Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions to ensure the widest and most up-to-date information be considered at that meeting in order to assist the consideration of issues under the mandate of the Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions;

3.      Recommends that the Conference of the Parties:

(a)      Determine the scope of the mandate of its bodies relating to genetic use restriction technologies;

(b)      Reaffirms decision V/5, section III (Genetic use restriction technologies); 

(c)      Encourages Parties, other Governments, relevant organizations, and interested stakeholders to:

(i)      Respect traditional knowledge and farmers'rights to the preservation of seeds under traditional cultivation;

(ii)      Continue to undertake further research on the impacts of genetic use restriction technologies, including their ecological, social, economic and cultural impacts, particularly on indigenous and local communities; and

(iii)      Continue to disseminate the results of studies on the potential environmental (e.g., risk assessment), socio-economic and cultural impacts of genetic use restriction technologies on smallholder farmers, indigenous and local communities, and make these studies available in a transparent manner through, inter alia, the clearing-house mechanism;

(c)      Invites the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture to examine, within the context of its work, priorities and available resources, the potential impacts of genetic use restriction technologies with special consideration to the impacts on indigenous and local communities, smallholder farmers and Farmers'Rights;

 (d)      Notes that there is a strong demand for capacity-building and technology transfer, particularly for developing countries and countries with economies in transition, and that adequate resources need to be provided, particularly relating to the assessment of, and decision-making, on genetic use restriction technologies, including regarding cultural and socio-economic aspects, in accordance with Articles 12, 16, 17, 18 and 20 of the Convention, and supports capacity-building initiatives covering environmental, cultural and socio-economic aspects to enable Parties to make informed decisions and actions on genetic use restriction technologies with the participation of local and indigenous communities and other stakeholders; and

 (e)       Notes that the issues related to genetic use restriction technologies should be presented in appropriate language and simplified form, in particular in order to facilitate the participation of indigenous and local communities in the development and implementation of appropriate policies and strategies.