During the Meeting of Parties (MOP-6) of United Nations Convention of Biodiversity that kick starts on Monday, the Indian government will push for a “no punitive action” against countries failing to implement the Cartagena Protocol on bio-safety till they frame the laws. India has decided to take this stand as several countries are yet to pass laws and develop safe handling mechanisms of “living modified organisms” (genetically modified).
In an exclusive interview with this newspaper, ministry of forest and environment secretary T. Chatterjee said, “India has accepted all provisions of the Cartagena Protocol on bio-safety. Our position on the Protocol is to support it totally. There will be discussions on standards, handling, transport, packaging and identification of LMOs. India has already got laws and rules in place. However, some of the countries are yet to come up with laws and mechanisms. So we will support ‘no punitive action’ until all nations frame them.” Adding that, “Risk assessment will also be discussed. LMO’s in agriculture, health and food sector identification is yet to be done in several countries.”
The Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur supplementary protocol on Liability and redressing the Cartegnea Protocol on Bio-safety speaks about civil liability laws.
While European Union countries are unanimous on the protocol.
EU held a coordination meeting at the HICC on Sunday ahead of the MOP-6 to discuss their strategy. Several side events have been planned at the venue including an event on biodiversity conservation leading to enhanced livelihoods by the Andhra Pradesh Forest Academy of Dulapally and genetically-modified trees and as well as bio-safety regulations in Asia Pacific countries.