Barbados focuses on biosafety

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, January 10, 2007 - Barbados is actively stepping up its focus on biosafety.

All major stakeholders are expected to undergo an awareness and sensitisation programme next week as the first step towards the creation of an an operational framework for the management of biosafety issues relating to genetically modified organisms.

Specifically, they will be re-acquainted with the provisions of the Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) and Barbados’ obligations under it. An explanation of how this translates to the national level and just exactly what are their roles in the National Biosafety Framework (NBF) will be part of the training.

The CPB addresses the safety concerns related to trade in Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) developed through modern biotechnology processes. It applies to the trans-boundary movement, and the handling and use of LMOs which may impact on biological diversity and human health.

Barbados signed the CPB in September 2002 and is legally bound to implement its provisions. These include the development of appropriate legal, administrative and other measures that are consistent with achieving compliance. Towards this end, the Ministry of the Environment recently concluded a project that sought to define the appropriate national framework and devise a set of procedures for the management of biosafety issues.

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) are participating in the exercise which starts next Monday.