Annual contribution to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

This activity supports an annual contribution to the Cartagena Protocol. The Cartagena Protocol sets out policy and regulation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) released into the environment. The UK has engaged with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) since it was adopted in 2000, and signed it the same year. The Protocol aims to ensure the safety of human health and the environment by governing the transfer, handling, and packaging of international movements of GMOs. As a Party to the CPB, the UK is bound by United Nations Environment Programme rules to pay an annual subscription. The CPB recognises the benefits of modern biotechnology, and at the same time aims to protect human health, the environment, conservation, and biological diversity from any potential risks arising from the handling, transfer and packaging of GMOs during international movement. Parties are subject to a range of obligations, and, therefore, need a range of capabilities in order to fulfil their obligations under the Protocol. These include an appropriate infrastructure (the ability to detect and identify GMOs), legislation, policy and scientific expertise, and access to robust and balanced information. The Protocol has a focus on the evolving needs of countries with economies in transition to support access to existing expertise and technology. Under the Protocol a number of regional, national and international decisions have been developed and adopted in order to support the development of the capabilities of Parties, as appropriate.