World biosafety standard adopted
By Li Jing (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-05-19 23:42

China, one of the world's largest importers of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), announced yesterday it has ratified the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which shows that the country wants to take a cautious approach on GMOs.

The protocol -- a subsidiary agreement to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity -- is aimed at regulating the transboundary movement of GMOs, which may pose possible risks to biological diversity, the environment and human health.

Wan Bentai, director of the Nature Conservation Department at the State Environmental Protection Administration, said China is preparing for a national law on GMOs and biosafety, based on the principles of the protocol and relevant World Trade Organization rules.

"China is taking a precautionary approach to the environmental release of GMOs in order to prevent possible risks," Wan said.

"We will take effective measures to control and supervise the research, development, use and movement of GMOs and follow international practice in this field."

He made the statement at yesterday's press conference to mark the coming 11th International Day for Biological Diversity, which falls on Sunday with the theme "Biodiversity: Life Insurance for our Changing World."

The protocol on biosafety, regarded as an important step in the protection of biodiversity, took effect in September 2003, three months after the 50th country ratified it.

China became the 120th ratifier of the protocol. The European Union ratified it as a group.

But several major GMO exporters -- such as Argentina, Australia, Canada and the United States -- have not ratified the protocol yet.

The protocol requires that countries be informed and agree in advance to imports of GMO products, said Xue Dayuan, a professor with the Nanjing Institute of Environmental Science.

Risk assessment of unfavourable effects on the local environment is also a must, Xue added.

"This means that countries have the right to ban or restrict imports when there is a lack of scientific knowledge or consensus regarding their safety," said Xue.

"In case of damages resulting from the release of GMOs, a liability and redress regime is required. But it is still in negotiation within the international community."

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