University of New South Wales (UNSW); Associate, Natural Justice … · Associate, Natural Justice...

Dr Daniel Robinson, Institute of Environmental Studies University of New South Wales (UNSW); Associate, Natural Justice (South Africa)

Morocco: Argan The partnership (Cognis/LS, L’Oreal,

Targanine) Targanine and cooperatives The social fund Discussion Groups with women Argan as a benefit-sharing hypothetical

under the Nagoya Protocol

Morocco does not yet have an ABS law

Argan (Argania spinosa L Skeels):

Endemic to Morocco Found in the Souss Valley

near Agadir Used traditionally by

Amazigh (Berber) people for its oil (food and cosmetics)

High in vitamin E, carotenes, essential fatty acids etc.

Cognis, through Laboratoire Serobiologiques became interested in argan oil in 2001.

A number of coops established between 1994 and 2005 by Prof. Zoubida Charrouf & the women.

Two (Taitmatine and Tagmate) established EIG Targanine in 2003 and this grew to 6 in 2007.

Valorisation: LS and Prof. Charrouf conducted R&D to isolate active ingredients from argan pressed cake (proteins) and argan leaves (flavonoids)

Co-authored patents in 2005, 2006 and 2008.

L’Oreal became a partner ~2006. Has been critical to the success of the venture, CSR approach and social fund.

Yamana works with the partners to ensure quality, traceability/transparency and fair pay in Morocco.

Argan oil is EcoCert organic certified.

Collection fits ‘sustainable use’ characterisation.

Oil is EcoCert fair trade certified.

Is also GI protected. Pressed cake is

bought for a huge premium (up to 40x local market prices).

Office in Agadir coordinates or assists many activities of the cooperatives.

Supplies large quantities of argan oil (40t approx) and also pressed cake to LS.

Works with L’Oreal, LS and Yamana to ensure quality standards met – policies and procedures manual in Arabic.

Coordinates/assists fair trade and social fund traceability with the partners.

Have received a number of awards in Morocco – best organisation at the Salon International Agriculture Morocco this week.

Taitmatine Toudarte ~85 dh/day* Tagmate Ajdiggue Targante Tamaynoute

Agricultural min wage is

55 dh/day (up to 10hrs) *Estimated average

figure for a productive woman assuming her own fruit supplied.

55% goes to a social fund/benefit-sharing fund to be used for the women – the women decide how to spend.

25% goes to the cooperatives (indirectly to the women). Some paid to women and some reinvested in coop.

20% goes to EIG Targanine for investment in the operation (quality, marketing etc)

Literacy programs (Arabic) Health insurance fund (for under 65 year old) Medical expenses for the women and families (and surgeries) School supplies for children (books, pens, furniture) Doctor checkup for women and children. Distribution of food Weddings Optometry and eye glasses Cushions and air conditioning for coop rooms Pharmacy products Washing machines Sewing classes Playground, toys and games for children Blankets for a cold winter TVs

Before joining: “We didn’t do anything – just at home. We did prepare some argan oil for ourselves, housework, sleeping. Looking after kids. We had no money.”

Now: “We have our own money. We can read and write Arabic.”

What do you do with your money: “Anything we want (laugh)! Go to Agadir, buy clothes for us and the children. Furniture, whitegoods (fridges).”

Where are the kids: “They come here. Some are at home with their dads, some at school”

Do you like it here: “Yes. We are like a family. We talk and eat together here. There is solidarity. We respect each other (women) and their time.”

“We feel very strong and independent. We can open our own wallet and have our own money.”

The Social Fund: “We have changed so many things. Done so much. Helped our families, local people and ourselves. Next we will go to Mecca (joking - laugh).”

Do you know where the oil goes: “Yes. People from L’Oreal came and gave us samples of the cosmetics.”

Finalised in October 2010. Clarifies ‘utilisation of

genetic resources’ to include biochemical derivatives.

Scope covers associated traditional knowledge.

The CBD COP 10 logo, www.cbd.int

“Utilization of GRs means to conduct research and development on the genetic and/or biochemical composition of genetic resources, including through biotechnology” (...any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use).

“Derivative means a naturally occurring biochemical compound resulting from the genetic expression or metabolism of biological or genetic resources, even if it does not contain functional units of heredity”

Argan leaves – yes (no benefits?). Argan pressed cake – yes (social fund). Argan oil – Currently is just biotrade. NP only

applies if R&D conducted on the oil (e.g. If a biochemical extraction).

(Nagoya Protocol Annex) Monetary Benefits: Special fees to be paid to trust funds (although

the Protocol specifies ‘supporting conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity’);

Salaries and preferential terms where mutually agreed (the tripartite approach ensures cooperative ‘employment’ of women for the contract terms and potentially longer);

Joint ownership of relevant intellectual property rights (in this case with a Moroccan national, Prof. Zoubida Charrouf, who is joint author on a number of patents).

Non-monetary Benefits: Collaboration and cooperation in education

and training (literacy, particularly quality programs and traceability, and to a certain extent on environmental factors);

Transfer of basic technologies (de-pulpage, filters, roasting and pressing argan kernels);

Contributions to the local economy; Food and livelihood security benefits; Social recognition.

Although this project does not follow a typical milestone and royalty payment framework for benefit-sharing, it does align with a number of other suggested monetary and non-monetary benefits that could be provided as an alternative model towards meeting national benefit-sharing obligations when the Nagoya Protocol is implemented.

Thanks to Eric from Yamana and Prof. Charrouf for taking me to the cooperatives, time and assistance.

Thanks to EIG Targanine and the coops for their time and openness.

Thanks to Charlotte & Raquel from Cognis and Rachel Barre from L’Oreal for their comments and transparency.

All photos copyright of Daniel Robinson, taken April 2011 in the Souss Valley, Morocco.