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