(a) whether the Government have taken any decision to ratify the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether it would enable a safer route on genetically-modified crops and provide shelter against foreign attacks on the national law as well;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the protocol has been signed by 103 nations except USA?
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI AJIT SINGH)
(a): The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for ratification of the Cartagena
Protocol on Biosafety on 5.9.2002.
(b) to (d): The Protocol offers a number of tools for promoting biosafety. It
incorporates the use of Precautionary Principle, the application of Advance Informed
Agreement, Procedure for import of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs), Risk Assessment
and Risk Management Framework, Capacity Building, Public Awareness and exchange of
scientific and technical information on Living Modified Organisms through a biosafety
Clearing House Mechanism.
(e): Yes, Sir.