ICTSD - BRIDGES Trade BioRes

UK ENVIRONMENT MINISTER ADVOCATES LIABILITY REGIME FOR GENE CROPS

Michael Meacher, the UK environment minister, declared last week that in his opinion conventional and organic farmers should be compensated if their crops sustain damage or cannot be sold due to cross-pollination from nearby genetically modified (GM) crops. "Our approach to GM must be compatible with the government's ambitions for the expansion of organic farming: to increase the UK's market share of organic produce sold in the UK from 30 per cent to 70 per cent," he stressed. He went on to clarify that the terms under which GM and non-modified crops might co-exist must be examined. Meacher suggested that the government could create formal separation distances between the different crops to limit cross-pollination. Reflecting on the EC draft liability legislation under consideration, Meacher said that this document did not properly address the potential for GM crops to impact on the economic interests of non-GM farmers. Currently a governmental committee is considering whether or not additional domestic legislation may be required to deal with these issues. Later this year the UK government will be publishing the final results of a set of GM trials.

"Minister Pledges Redress For GM Harm," GUARDIAN, 12 February 2003; "Britain weighs liability regime for gene crops," REUTERS, 13 February 2003.

AUSTRALIA OBJECTS TO ICELAND'S IWC RE-ADMISSION

Australia has taken formal steps to protest the re-admission of Iceland to the International Whaling Commission (IWC), according to David Kemp, the Australian Environment and Heritage Minister. Australia submitted an official document to the US Department of State -- the depository government for the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling -- on February 7, objecting to Iceland's refusal to follow the current global moratorium on commercial whaling. Iceland had rejoined the IWC in October 2002 following a close vote of 18 to 19. Upon Iceland's re-entry, a clause was included on Iceland's behalf exempting the country from the commercial whaling moratorium, which Kemp said Iceland plans to use to start commercial whaling as early as 2006. The minister added that Iceland's stance could potentially "render the Convention meaningless" and could "set a precedent that could have negative consequences for the orderly development of international law and could possibly undermine the authority of other international conventions." In addition, Kemp is concerned that Iceland may begin whaling for so-called scientific research even sooner than 2006. Sweden and the US have also voiced reservations regarding Iceland's re-admission, although to date, Australia is the only member to take any formal action. It is likely that this issue will be discussed during the next IWC meeting in Berlin this coming June.

"Australia Acts to Stop Iceland from Whaling," ENS, 12 February 2003.

FAO/WHO LAUNCH TRUST FUND TO ENHANCE PARTICIPATION IN CODEX

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have set up a USD 40 million Trust Fund to support the participation of developing countries and economies in transition in the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the international body responsible for setting food safety standards. The Fund, which is expected to run for 12 years, will also enhance the capacity of regulators and food experts to develop national food safety systems. "By having all countries fully involved, we ensure that they can build up their won capacity to establish and maintain the food safety controls that will help them trade their produce and develop their economies," said Jorgen Schlundt, Director of the WHO's Food Safety Department. So far, only Switzerland and Norway have contributed to the fund with USD 37,000 and USD 100,000 respectively.

"Codex Alimentarius - new USD 40 million fund for poor countries," FAO PRESS RELEASE, 14 February 2003; "UN chiefs urge rich to back food safety fund," REUTERS, 17 February 2003.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on 13 February circulated a draft declaration for consideration at the Summit on Intellectual Property and Knowledge Economy in Beijing on 24-26 April. The draft stresses that intellectual property "provides incentives to creativity and innovation; promotes investment, technology transfer, job creation, cultural diversity; contributes to sustainable development; and is of fundamental value for all humankind". Among the resolutions in the draft is a decision to "fully support" WIPO in enhancing partnerships "with a view to making the intellectual property system more accessible in order to offer equal opportunities to all creators worldwide". Passing mention is also made to issues such as genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore by stressing "the importance of on-going discussions at WIPO" in this regard.