Question : CARTAGENA PROTOCOL

(a) whether the country is a signatory to the Cartagena Protocol;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether any policy framework with regard to matters pertaining to crops have been issued as an obligation to the said protocol;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether any commitments have been made/the country enjoys any rights under the said protocol on matters pertaining to Centre of Origin and Diversity clause of the protocol, including for Genetically Modified crops/food; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) to (f): The Cartagena Protocol of Biosafety (CPB) was negotiated and adopted under the aegis of Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on 29th January, 2000. The objective of the Protocol is to ensure adequate level of protection in the field of the safe transfer and handling of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effect on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking into account the risks to human health. It specifically focuses on trans-boundary movement, transit, handling and use of all LMOs. The Protocol has come into force on 11th September, 2003.

Government of India (GOI) ratified the Protocol on 17th January, 2003. Presently, 156 countries are Parties to the Protocol. The Ministry of Environment and Forests is the nodal Ministry for implementing the obligations under the CPB.

As a Party to the CPB, the GOI is committed to fully implement the obligations under CPB related to trans-boundary movements of LMOs. The GOI needs to ensure that biotechnology Research & Development is guided by a process of prudent decision making that safeguards both biodiversity and human health with adherence to the highest ethical standards.