Saturday, 10 July 2010

THE OPERATION OF THE MULTILATERAL SYSTEM OF ACCESS AND BENEFIT-SHARING UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL TREATY ON PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
INTERNATIONAL TREATY ON PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

The event provided information on the experiences and an update on recent developments in the operation and functioning of the Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-sharing, as well as the Benefit-Sharing Fund under the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

Monday, 12 July 2010

THE IMPORTANCE OF RECOGNIZING THE INTERNATIONAL TREATY IN THE CBD'S PROTOCOL ON ACCESS AND BENEFIT-SHARING
SYSTEM-WIDE GENETIC RESOURCES PROGRAMME (SGRP) OF THE CGIAR

Panelists addressed the importance of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture for achieving food security. They highlighted interdependence of countries on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA), providing data on global patterns of movement of PGRFA under the Treaty’s multilateral system of access and benefit-sharing. Overall, the panelists underscored the importance of the CBD ABS Protocol clearly recognizing the Treaty.

Presentations and other material:

• Side-event flyer
• The International Treaty's Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-sharing: Impact on Food Security
• Countrie's Interdependence on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
• Reaping the Benefits of Multilateral Exchange
• International Transfers of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

• Policy Brief: The importance of recognizing the International Treaty in the CBD’s Protocol on access and benefit-sharing
  INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND BIODIVERSITY IN THE IGC: IDENTIFYING LINKS BETWEEN THE CBD AND WIPO
  WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION (WIPO)
  
  The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) updated the participants on the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) process (namely the renewed mandate of the IGC and the decisions of the last session regarding GRs and TK), and raised awareness on the progress of the IGC. The representatives of Member States, the indigenous peoples and local communities and NGOs, as well as the CBD Secretariat were invited to introduce their views on the links between the CBD and WIPO.
  
  Presentation(s):
  • WIPO’s Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore
  • Side event summary

  HOW TO DEVELOP FUNCTIONAL USER COUNTRY LEGISLATION
  THE FRIDTJOF NANSEN INSTITUTE
  
  This side event presented research-based solutions regarding how to develop functional user country measures.
  
  

Tuesday, 13 July 2010

LEAVING ROOM IN THE PROTOCOL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIALIZED INTERNATIONAL ABS ARRANGEMENTS - EXAMINING THE CASE OF AGRICULTURAL MICROBIAL GENETIC RESOURCES
SYSTEM-WIDE GENETIC RESOURCES PROGRAMME (SGRP) OF THE CGIAR

Speakers addressed how – in the longer term – specialized international access and benefit sharing norms could be fashioned to support the use of microbial genetic resources in agricultural research and development, ultimately contributing to increased food security. Because there is not time before Nagoya for delegates to consider such approaches, it is important that the CBD ABS Protocol leaves room for the evolution of specialized international ABS arrangements in the future.

Presentation(s):

• Microbial genetic resources for food and agriculture
• The importance of internationally pooled microbial genetic resources for agricultural research: the case study of Fusarium
• A compensatory liability regime to promote the exchange of microbial genetic resources for research and benefit sharing
• Opportunities for future development of ABS norms re: agricultural microbial genetic resources under the International Regime/Protocol
• Policy Brief: Leaving Room in the CBD’s ABS Protocol for the future development of specialized access and benefit-sharing arrangements - The example of agricultural microbial genetic resources
• Side-event flyer

THE NESTLE-ROOIBOS AND HONEYBUSH CASE: LESSONS LEARNED AND CONSTRUCTIVE WAYS FORWARD WITHIN THE DRAFT PROTOCOL ON ACCESS AND BENEFIT SHARING
THE BERNE DECLARATION AND NATURAL JUSTICE: LAWYERS FOR COMMUNITIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Recent allegations have flagged five patent applications by Nestle as contravening international and domestic South African law relating to access of genetic resources. This event explored the theoretical and practical "ins and outs" of the draft protocol on access and benefit sharing, drawing upon practical lessons learned from the Nestle-Rooibos and Honeybush case to recommend constructive ways forward.

Presentation(s):

• The Rooibos case
• Briefing paper - Dirty Business for Clean Skin: Nestlé’s Rooibos Robbery in South Africa

SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY : A NEW CHALLENGE FOR ABS?
THE BERNE DECLARATION AND NATURAL JUSTICE: LAWYERS FOR COMMUNITIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT

This event provided an overview of some of the most recent developments in synthetic biology and explained in what way they constitute a challenge to the Access and Benefit Sharing regime.

Wednesday, 14 July 2010

DISCLOSURE IN PATENT APPLICATIONS: FEASIBILITY, PRACTICALITY AND COST IMPLICATIONS
UNITED NATIONS UNIVERSITY-INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED STUDIES

The UNU IAS and Lancaster University (CESAGEN) presented the latest direct and proxy empirical evidence on the likely impact of the introduction of disclosure of source of genetic resources in patent applications

EXCHANGE PATTERNS AND PRACTICES: PRELIMINARY FINDINGS FROM A MULTI-SECTOR STUDY OF NON-PLANT AGRICULTURAL GENETIC RESOURCES IN THE UNITED STATES
US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE

The US Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service sponsored this brief presentation of preliminary findings from a research study on the movement and use of non-plant agricultural genetic resources currently being conducted in the US. The presentation illustrated common challenges and opportunities to users of food and agricultural genetic resources in the context of the development of an international ABS regime. Researchers presented the preliminary findings and a representative of the US Department of Agriculture commented on the policy dimension of the findings.

Presentation(s):

• Exchange Patterns and Practices among Users of Genetic Resources: A Study of US Agricultural Stakeholders
• Side Event Summary