33access to biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.doc

8/11/2019 33access to biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.doc

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ACCESS TO BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES AND ASSOCIATEDTRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE1

P. Pushpangadan & K. Narayanan NarNational Botanical Research Institute

Lucknow-226001, India

1. BACKGROUND

The issues of access and benefit sharingbenefit-sharing inolinggenetic resources and traditional knowledge hae beenhas beco!e arather contentious sub"ect of wide ranging discussions and debates atarious international foru!sdiscussed e#tensiel$ at arious internationaland national foru!s under the aegis of %B&, 'T(-TRI)*, 'I)(, and+N-(, +N.), etc. The e#isting ine/uities in international legal

fra!eworks articularl$ of the %B& and 'T(-TRI)*, and also thedisroortionate distribution of biodiersit$ and biotechnologies across theworld hae been the !a"or i!edi!ents to i!le!enting a d$na!ic andtransarent !echanis! for regulating and !onitoring access, benefitsharingbenefit-sharing, technolog$ transfers and I)R rotection and otherreleant actiities related to biogenetic resources and associatedtraditional knowledge

!. In"#rna"$na% L#ga%CBDra'#($r)s$n A**#ss and B#n#+"Sharng ,ABS-

%onention on Biological &iersit$ %B&3 is the first internationallegal instru!ent that brought out a radical change fro! the then reailingco!!on ercetion on genetic resources as 4co!!on heritage of!ankind5 to a legall$ binding regi!e that confers 4soereign rights5 to thestates oer their own biological resources including genetic resourcesand traditional knowledge3

!.1 %B& roides a funda!ental fra!ework for its )arties to deeloaroriate national legislations and olic$ guidelines to facilitate fair andtransarent !eans and !echanis!s for access to and e/uitable sharingof benefits accrued fro! the use of genetic resources and associated

traditional knowledgeThe !ost releant roisions on access to geneticresources, traditional knowledge and benefit-sharing are stiulated inrticles "3, 17, 16, and 18 of the %B& (Please see Annexure - I for details).

/. WTO 0 TRIPs #rsus CBD

11 Draft discussion paper for the expert and ministerial level meeting of the LMMC to be held on

20thand 21stJanuary at Ministry of nvironment and !orests" #e$ Delhi.

1


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/.11 I!!ediatel$ after the %B& ca!e into being, another internationalbod$ called the 'orld Trade (rgani9ation 'T(3 was established in :une188; for strea!lining and regulating the trade relations of the world 8188C ii3 d = hoc (en = ended 'orking ?rou on ccess andBenefit *haring A%B&%() >62000C and iii3 )anel of .#erts on ccessand Benefit *haring %B&%() I>, 1883The ter!s of references ofthese 'orking ?rous and .#ert )anel included !ainl$ the deelo!entof a fra!ework that would hel assist )arties to deelo national andregional regulations or guidelines on B*, with secial focus on eoling

standards and rincial ele!ents of 4)rior Infor!ed %onsent )I%35,4


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4. TRIPS Agr##'#n" and ABS Issu#s

4.1 'hile %B& confers soereign rights to each )art$ oer its ownbiological diersit$ the directies of 'T(-TRI)* roide for the rotectionof the riate or !onoolistic rights of indiiduals or cororates on their

their useful innoationsof industrial alications &esite seeral !eetingsof the TRI) %ouncil, %()s to %B&, and other releant organi9ations andagencies, no consensus has been reached as $et on the reailing issuesof according legal intellectual roert$ rotection to genetic resources andassociated traditional knowledge rticle 2FG b3, articularl$ the clausesof atenting on life for!s and deeloing a sui generis s$ste! forrotection of lant arieties, is the !ain bone of contentiontoicsof theongoing debate between 'T( !e!bers fro! the biodiersit$-richdeeloing countries and those fro! the industriali9ed deeloedcountries The ?rou of deeloing countries has !ade nine sub!issionsto the TRI)s %ouncil for reiewing the rticle 2FGb3 and other releantroisions of TRI)s and for!akes !aking the! suortie to the %B&ob"ecties

4.!. In a recent sub!ission to the 'T(-TRI)* %ouncil, the deeloingcountr$ grou co!rising Boliia, Bra9il, %uba, .cuador, India, )eru,Thailand, >ene9uela, raised the following three de!ands for incororationin to the roision !andating alicants for a atent relating to biologicalresources or traditional knowledge toH i3 disclose the source of origin ofbiological genetic resources, ii3 roide eidence on rior infor!edconsent, and iii3 eidence on benefit sharing agree!ent I)%';0G of ;:une 200G I)%';20 of 12


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caabilit$ of the !e!bers to for! a strong and owerful negotiating blockin all international for aforu!sdealing with biodiersit$, biotechnologies,traditional knowledge, I)R, etc In order to build u such caabilit$ a!ongthe L


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an$ roduct or technologies deried fro! the genetic resources, itsco!onents andor deriaties and the associated knowledge Thedisroortionate distribution of biodiersit$ and biotechnolog$ across theworld, and the North-*outh diide in olic$ and legal issues related tobiodiersit$, biotechnolog$, traditional knowledge, global trade and

intellectual roert$ rotection are other reasons that cause dela$ ini!le!enting a transarent and co!rehensie international regi!e onaccess and benefit sharing

.4. Pr$r In+$r'#d C$ns#n" ,PIC-

.4.1. The roisions of )rior Infor!ed %onsent )I%3 as stiulated inrticle 177 of %B& is the first essential ste in the best ractice for an$B* inoling genetic resources and indigenous or traditional knowledge)I% hels to facilitate rior negotiations and structured discussions on theshared ob"ecties, scoe, duration, legal certaint$ and clarit$ on B*rocess, benefit sharing and other agree!ents based on !utuall$ agreed

ter!s a!ong all releant stakeholders./.!. Ear!oni9ationof e#isting national olicies and legal !echanis!son B* and other related asects area rere/uisite for deeloing aunifor! and co!!on fra!ework for the grou of L# and r#gu%a"$ry d>s$ns d#a%ng ("hBusn#ss D#>#%$p'#n"? IPR 'anag#'#n"? Dspu"# S#""%#'#n"? andIn+$r'a"$n 'anag#'#n".

.4. =u"ua%%y Agr##d T#r's ,=ATs-

rticle 17F of %B& stiulates that the results of scientific research anddeelo!ent and an$ other benefit arising fro! the sustainable use of agenetic resource accessed b$ a )art$ shall be shared with the %ontracting)art$ roiding the resource in a fair and e/uitable !anner based on4!utuall$ agreed ter!s5 The basic rinciles for deeloing


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1;.1. 4


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bio!onitoring or biodiersit$ conseration rogra!!e inoling !ore thanone countr$ or for "oint bioartnershi for biorosecting entures b$ theL


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Decision +#" and Contracts 18863 )he e Conservation -ellosBiodiversity .esearch rotocols 18863.oyal Botanic arden olicy on

*ccess to enetic .esources and Benefit 0haring RB?, @ew 1883Common olicy uidelines for articipating Botanic ardens on *ccessto enetic .esources and Benefit 0haring %artagena 20003)he 1imbe

Botanic arden olicy on *ccess to enetic .esources and Benefit0haring 20013 Community Biodiversity .egisters and 2oney Bee3etork for chronicling and protection of 1ocal eople4s 5nnovations(5ndia'6 Draft .esearch olicy for rotected *reas in Cameroonfcameroonorg3 etc L


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negotiating B* deals inoling e#otic secies in ex7situcollections or innaturali9edstate

1!./. %B& has e#licit roisions for countr$ of origin and countr$roiding genetic resources to clai! all legalrights on all benefits accruedfro! the sustainable use of their genetic resources b$ a third art$ in a fair

and e/uitable !annerrticles"3, 172,176, 17F, 16G and 18131!./.1.

BENEIT0SARING WERE TE BIOLOGICALRESOURCES ASSOCIATEDTRADITIONAL KNOWLDEGE IS ELD BF =ORE TAN ONE COUNTRF

ACOERENT ANDRATIONALAPPROAC ORASSESS=ENTOBENEIT

AR=ONIJATIONOARIOUS STATUTIRF =ECANIS=S TO ENSURE BENEITSARING

1/. ABS >s:H:>s C$%%a@$ra"># R#s#ar*h +r$' L==C p#rsp#*">#

I=PEDI=ENTS TO COLLABORATIE RESEARC

1/.1. The new regi!e of B* has not been /uite suortie ofinternational collaboratie research because of seeral reasonsof which the !a"or one is the absence of unifor! olicies and

standards for a fair and e/uitable access and benefit sharing!echanis!s between the countries articularl$ between thebiodiersit$-rich countries of *outh and biotechnologicall$-richcountries of the North The Bonn guidelines and the ongoingdiscussions b$ the %B&Ds oen ended ad-hoc working grouson B* and rticle "3, 'T(-TRI)s council, 'I)(-I?% areai!ed at har!oni9ing the e#isting ine/uities and to foster anenabling and conducie fra!ework for collaboratie researchand deelo!ental efforts through aroriate access andbenefit sharing !echanis!s

1/.!. The L


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nationalregional olicies and legal fra!ework+N.)%B&%()G201886 ?RINBRLccess M Benefit *haring =grainorg, accessed on 1210200;3 *o!e e#a!les of suchi!ortant national or regional laws on biodiersit$, traditional knowledgeand B* aregien inAnnexure %&.

15. NEW ABS STRATEGIES REUIRED BF L==C

15.1 .ole a searate institutional !echanis! for dealing B* andother related asects e#clusiel$ for the L


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1%


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Annexure I

Relevant CBD Articles on ABS

Ar"*%# 7 ,8- romote the ider application of the knoledge, innovationsand practices of indigenous and local communities ith their approval andinvolvement and encourage the e8uitable sharing of the benefit arising outof sustainable use of the knoledge, innovations, and practices ofindigenous and local communities4

Ar"*%# 15.1 arty has the authority to determine access to geneticresources, sub9ect to national legislation4

Ar"*%# 15.! :ach arty shall endeavor to facilitate access to geneticresources for environmentally sound uses by other contracting artiesand not imposes restrictions that run counter to the ob9ectives of theConvention4

Ar"*%# 15.4 *ccess to genetic resources shall be on mutually agreedterms4

Ar"*%# 15.5 *ccess shall be sub9ect to rior 5nformed Consent of theContracting arty providing such resources, unless otherise determinedby that arty4

Ar"*%# 15.9 arty receiving genetic resources from another arty shallendeavor to develop and carry out scientific research based in geneticresources provided by other Contracting arties ith full participation of,and here possible in, such Contracting arties4

Ar"*%# 15.


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Ar"*%# 1.1 )he Contracting arty receiving a genetic resource shalltake legislative, administrative or policy measures as appropriate, to

promise effective participation by providers of genetic resources,

especially developing countries in biotechnological research activities4

i3

Annexure II

S$'# Gud#%n#s $n =AT

a3 )er!itting onl$ use of resources in order to take into accountethnical concerns of the articular indigenous and localco!!unities concerned

b3 .nsuring continued custo!ar$ use of genetic resources andassociated knowledge

c3 )roisions for I)R use through "oint research and clai!s on therights on inentions obtained and to roide licenses b$co!!on consent

d3 )roisions for "oint I)R rights according to degree ofcontributions


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custo!ar$ use of biological and genetic resources inaccordance with traditional ractice of local and indigenousco!!unities

iii3 Treat!ent of confidential infor!ation

)roision for benefit sharing resulting fro! the co!!ercial or otherutili9ation of genetic resources and their deriaties and roducts

ii3

Annexure % III

Sugg#s"$ns $n B#n#+" Sharng +$r "h# *$nsd#ra"$n $+ L==C

The monetary benefits !a$ broadl$ coer the following as er!utuall$ agreed ter!sH

i3 ccess fees

ii3 + = front a$!ents

iii3


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3 d!ittance to ex


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i3

1*


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Annexure I&

B$nn Gud#%n#s +$r =a"#ra% Trans+#r Agr##'#n"

5ntroductory rovisionsH

i3 )rea!ble with reference to %B&

ii3 Legal status of the roider and user of genetic resources

iii3


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3 Indeendent enforceabilit$ of indiidual clauses in theagree!ent

i3 .ents li!iting the liabilit$ of either art$ such as of ?od,fire, flood, etc3

ii3 &isute settle!ents arrange!entsiii3 ssign!ents or transfer of rights

i#3 ssign!ents, transfer or e#clusion of the rights to clai! an$roert$ rights, including intellectual roert$ rights, oer thegenetic resources receied through the !aterial transferagree!ents

#3 %hoice of law

#i3 %onfidentialit$ clause

#ii3 II3 ?uarantee

i3

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Annexure % &

S$'# 'p$r"an" Na"$na% and R#g$na% %a(s $n @$d>#rs"y and B#n#+"Sharng

1 *ndean Community .ffectie in fie countriesH Boliia,

%olo!bia, .cuador, )eru and >ene9uela3 = *ndean CommunityDecision +#"= Common .egimes on *ccess to enetic .esources2 :ul$ 18863

2 *0:*3= The *.N ra!ework gree!ent on ccess toBiological and ?enetic Resources 2; eb 18863

G Bolivia = *ure!e &ecree No 2;6F6 Regulation (f&ecision G81 on the %o!!on Regi!es for ccess to ?eneticResources 21 :une 188F3

; Brazil = )roisional nity= frican


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ii3

CONCLUSIONSS

REERENCESREERENCES

%onention on Biological &iersit$ 20013 The!atic Reort on ccess andBenefit *haring =India, sub!itted b$


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*ete!ber http=//grainorg/rights?files/@&$#doc accessed on1;10200;3

ACCESS TO BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES AND ASSOCIATEDTRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

Contents

1. ,ac-ground 1

2. C,D !rame$or- on ccess and ,enefit /haring ,/ 1

%. 34 5 3678s 9ersus C,D 1

&. 3678s greement and ,/ 7ssues %

'. orld 7ntellectual 8roperty 4rgani:ation 784 and ,/ ; rticle

* minded Megadiverse Countries"

!ebruary 2002

&

*. LMMC Meet at ?uala Lumpur Malaysia" July 200% ; ?uala

Lumpur communi@uA on 7nstitutional ,uilding

'

+. Mechanism to 6egulate ccess to ,iological 6esources and

3raditional ?no$ledgeB ?ey lements

'

10. ,enefit>/haring greements related to ccess to =enetic 6esources )

11. Material 3ransfer greementsB ?ey lements M3s +

12. Claims of the Country of 4rigin vis>>vis country providing genetic

resources

10

1%. ,/ vis>>vis Collaborative 6esearch from LMMC perspective 10

1&. #ational ,/ La$s of LMMC Members 11

1'. #e$ ,/ /trategies 6e@uired by LMMC 11

nnexure 5 7 6elevant C,D rticles on ,/ i

nnexure 5 77 /ome =uidelines on M3 ii

nnexure 5 777 /uggestions on ,enefit /haring for iii

2%
http://www.grain.org/rights_files/W429.dochttp://www.grain.org/rights_files/W429.doc


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the Consideration of LMMC

nnexure 5 79 ,onn =uidelines for Material 3ransfer greement v

nnexure 5 9 /ome important #ational and 6egional la$s on vii

,iodiversity and ,enefit /haring

6eferences

2&

33access to biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.doc

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