COM 0882.009 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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IS THERE PRECEDENCE FOR A MORATORIUM ON GMO CROPS? INTERNATIONAL LAW In 2000, the United Nations implemented a de facto moratorium on "Terminator technology" (Genetic Use Restriction Technology) which renders seeds sterile, under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, applying the "precautionary principle" to potentially dangerous GM technology in agricultural crops and blocking the commercialization of such products. In 2006, The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) passed a formal declaration at its Eighth Conference of the Parties (COP-8) in Curitiba, Brazil to recognize the threats posed by genetically modified (GM) trees, which are now established in over 35 countries and urging all countries to approach the technology with caution. The Forest Biological Diversity Decision in Brazil 2006 UNEP/CBD/COP8/ WG.I/L3 bans genetically engineered trees. This follows the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) call for a fiamework for assessing GM impacts on trees in 2005. Nine developing countries supported calls for a moratorium on GM trees proposed by government representatives of Iran and Ghana including Ecuador, Egypt, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Madagascar, and Malawi, some of whom are home to the richest, most biodiverse forests on Earth. ? While Hawaii does not have the sheer number of species found in the tropical rainforests of other parts of the world; it is home to some of the most unique endemic biodfversity -found no where else in the world. In 2003, the Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety entered into force as the first international law to control and prevent transportation of Living Modified Organisms (LMO's) across national boundaries. The protocol allows countries to bar imports of genetically engineered seeds, microbes, animals or crops that they deem a threat to their environments. It also requires international shipments of genetically engineered grains to be labeled. To date, the signatures of 143 nations have been deposited with the UN Secretary-General. It states; "The Parties shall ensure that the development, handling, transport, use, transfer and release of any living modified organisms are undertaken in a manner that prevents or reduces the risks to biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health." The full text of the document may be viewed at: http://www.cbd.int/biosafety/ In June 2007, Order 010 became law. Cusco, Peru's regional government approved Order 010, a ban on genetically modified varieties of potatoes intended to protect the genetic diversity of thousands of native potato varieties for a region of Peru that is the center of potato diversity in the world. ? Hawai'i is the center of taro cultivar biodiversity in the Pacific and globally.