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The NBFs can vary from one country to the next, but generally however contain the
following common components, namely: (i) a Government policy on biosafety; (ii)
a regulatory regime for biosafety; (iii) a system to handle notifications or requests
for authorisations; (iv) systems for enforcement and monitoring for environmental
effects; and (v) approaches for public information and public participation.
The primary purpose of this implementation project, which has both regional and
national components, is to therefore assist participating countries to strengthen
their NBFs. It also seeks to:
1 Move countries towards more harmonised biosafety systems that make use of existing national and regional capacities
2 Create new capacities where needed and ensure their financial sustainability
3 Take advantage of economies of scale and regional support mechanisms
4 Fit with the regional objectives of establishing a Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME)
5 Be in keeping with CARICOM’s initiative of promoting biotechnology and biosafety as a regional strategy
At the national level, project outputs are expected in 5 key areas, namely:
1 Legislation
2 Administrative system for national biosafety
3 Capacity building
4 Information management system (i.e. National Biosafety Clearing House)
5 Public education and outreach
The achievement of these outputs is supported by the
Regional Project Office located on the St. Augustine Campus of The University of the West Indies.
Contact information:
For further information please contact:
REGIONAL BIOSAFETY PROJECT
ABOUT THE PROJECTThe current project, for which The University of the West Indies (UWI) is the Lead Executing Agency, officially began in November 2012, and is funded by the United Nations Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility (UNEP/GEF). It represents a follow-on activity from another UNEP-GEF project, which started in June 2001, and sought to help countries comply with the CPB (http://www.unep.org/biosafety/Development_Projects.aspx).
INTRODUCTIONModern biotechnology promises remarkable advances in agriculture, medicine (new medical treatments and vaccines), new industrial products, improved fibres and fuels. Although research in biotechnology is being carried out in institutions in countries such as Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, Staint Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago, modern biotechnology is a very new field to the Region.
The term ‘modern biotechnology’ is specifically used to refer to those
biotechnological techniques for the manipulation of genetic material
and fusion of cells beyond normal breeding barriers. The process
of genetic engineering to create genetically modified/engineered
organisms (GMOs/GEOs), is an example of modern biotechnology.
However, it is critical that
the products of modern
biotechnology, including living
modified organisms (LMOs)
be managed in such a way
that all concerns with respect
to potential negative impacts
to plant, animal and human
health and the environment
are addressed.
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) represents the instrument
that was conceptualised as the mechanism to address these issues.
Adopted on 29 January 2000 as a supplementary agreement to the
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the CPB entered into force
on 11 September 2003. It aims to ensure the safe handling, transport
and use of LMOs resulting from modern biotechnology that may
have adverse effects on biological diversity, taking into account risks
to human health. Within the CARICOM region, countries have either
ratified (Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Grenada, Jamaica), or acceded
to (Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines,
Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago) the CPB.
Although regional countries may not concur about the magnitude and
consequences of the potential threats posed by modern biotechnology,
there is agreement on the importance of biosafety regulatory
frameworks. By having the necessary safeguards in place and clearly
defining the requirements for the importation and release of an LMO,
the responsible use of these products can be better assured.
New initiatives in biotechnology can provide countries in the Caribbean with opportunities to manage their natural resources, while seeking to obtain maximum benefits from the sustainable use of these resources for economic and social development.
ABOUT THE PROJECTThe current project, for which The University of the West Indies (UWI) is the Lead Executing Agency, officially began in November 2012, and is funded by the United Nations Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility (UNEP/GEF). It represents a follow-on activity from another UNEP-GEF project, which started in June 2001, and sought to help countries comply with the CPB (http://www.unep.org/biosafety/Development_Projects.aspx).
The countries currently involved in this project also participated in the development project,
and completed draft versions of their National Biosafety Frameworks (NBFs). They include:
The NBFs can vary from one country to the next, but generally however contain the following
common components, namely: (i) a Government policy on biosafety; (ii) a regulatory regime
for biosafety; (iii) a system to handle notifications or requests for authorisations; (iv) systems
for enforcement and monitoring for environmental effects; and (v) approaches for public
information and public participation.
Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize
Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Kitts & Nevis,
St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago
ABOUT THE PROJECTThe current project, for which The University of the West Indies (UWI) is the Lead Executing Agency, officially began in November 2012, and is funded by the United Nations Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility (UNEP/GEF). It represents a follow-on activity from another UNEP-GEF project, which started in June 2001, and sought to help countries comply with the CPB (http://www.unep.org/biosafety/Development_Projects.aspx).
INTRODUCTIONModern biotechnology promises remarkable advances in agriculture, medicine (new medical treatments and vaccines), new industrial products, improved fibres and fuels. Although research in biotechnology is being carried out in institutions in countries such as Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, Staint Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago, modern biotechnology is a very new field to the Region.
The term ‘modern biotechnology’ is specifically used to refer to those
biotechnological techniques for the manipulation of genetic material
and fusion of cells beyond normal breeding barriers. The process
of genetic engineering to create genetically modified/engineered
organisms (GMOs/GEOs), is an example of modern biotechnology.
However, it is critical that
the products of modern
biotechnology, including living
modified organisms (LMOs)
be managed in such a way
that all concerns with respect
to potential negative impacts
to plant, animal and human
health and the environment
are addressed.
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) represents the instrument
that was conceptualised as the mechanism to address these issues.
Adopted on 29 January 2000 as a supplementary agreement to the
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the CPB entered into force
on 11 September 2003. It aims to ensure the safe handling, transport
and use of LMOs resulting from modern biotechnology that may
have adverse effects on biological diversity, taking into account risks
to human health. Within the CARICOM region, countries have either
ratified (Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Grenada, Jamaica), or acceded
to (Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines,
Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago) the CPB.
Although regional countries may not concur about the magnitude and
consequences of the potential threats posed by modern biotechnology,
there is agreement on the importance of biosafety regulatory
frameworks. By having the necessary safeguards in place and clearly
defining the requirements for the importation and release of an LMO,
the responsible use of these products can be better assured.
New initiatives in biotechnology can provide countries in the Caribbean with opportunities to manage their natural resources, while seeking to obtain maximum benefits from the sustainable use of these resources for economic and social development.
ABOUT THE PROJECTThe current project, for which The University of the West Indies (UWI) is the Lead Executing Agency, officially began in November 2012, and is funded by the United Nations Environment Programme/Global Environment Facility (UNEP/GEF). It represents a follow-on activity from another UNEP-GEF project, which started in June 2001, and sought to help countries comply with the CPB (http://www.unep.org/biosafety/Development_Projects.aspx).
The countries currently involved in this project also participated in the development project,
and completed draft versions of their National Biosafety Frameworks (NBFs). They include:
The NBFs can vary from one country to the next, but generally however contain the following
common components, namely: (i) a Government policy on biosafety; (ii) a regulatory regime
for biosafety; (iii) a system to handle notifications or requests for authorisations; (iv) systems
for enforcement and monitoring for environmental effects; and (v) approaches for public
information and public participation.
Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize
Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Kitts & Nevis,
St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago
The NBFs can vary from one country to the next, but generally however contain the
following common components, namely: (i) a Government policy on biosafety; (ii)
a regulatory regime for biosafety; (iii) a system to handle notifications or requests
for authorisations; (iv) systems for enforcement and monitoring for environmental
effects; and (v) approaches for public information and public participation.
The primary purpose of this implementation project, which has both regional and
national components, is to therefore assist participating countries to strengthen
their NBFs. It also seeks to:
1 Move countries towards more harmonised biosafety systems that make use of existing national and regional capacities
2 Create new capacities where needed and ensure their financial sustainability
3 Take advantage of economies of scale and regional support mechanisms
4 Fit with the regional objectives of establishing a Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME)
5 Be in keeping with CARICOM’s initiative of promoting biotechnology and biosafety as a regional strategy
At the national level, project outputs are expected in 5 key areas, namely:
1 Legislation
2 Administrative system for national biosafety
3 Capacity building
4 Information management system (i.e. National Biosafety Clearing House)
5 Public education and outreach
The achievement of these outputs is supported by the
Regional Project Office located on the St. Augustine Campus of The University of the West Indies.
Contact information:
For further information please contact:
REGIONAL BIOSAFETY PROJECTOffice of Research, Sir Frank Stockdale Building