Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

• The objective of this first Protocol is to contribute to the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) -- such as genetically engineered plants, animals, and microbes -- that cross international borders. The Biosafety Protocol is also intended to avoid adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity without unnecessarily disrupting world food trade.
• The Protocol provides countries the opportunity to obtain information before new biotech organisms are imported. It acknowledges each country's right to regulate bio-engineered organisms, subject to existing international obligations. It also creates a framework to help improve the capacity of developing countries to protect biodiversity.
  

What It Does

The Protocol establishes an Internet-based "Biosafety Clearing-House" to help countries exchange scientific, technical, environmental, and legal information about living modified organisms (LMOs).

It creates an advance informed agreement (AIA) procedure that in effect requires exporters to seek consent from an importing country before the first shipment of an LMO meant to be introduced into the environment (such as seeds for planting, fish for release, or microorganisms for bioremediation).

It requires shipments of LMO commodities, such as maize or soybeans that are intended for direct use as food, feed, or for processing, to be accompanied by documentation stating that such shipments "may contain" living modified organisms and are "not intended for intentional introduction into the environment." The Protocol establishes a process for considering more detailed identification and documentation of LMO commodities in international trade.

It also sets out information to be included on documentation accompanying LMOs destined for contained use, including any handling requirements and contact points for further information and for the consignee.