Workshop Recommendations

Results of Group Discussions on ABS international regime, Biotrade, National Implementation

Recommendations

GREY AREAS AND SOLUTIONS:

ABS international regime GROUP 1:

3 GAPS:

1. Gap: Lack of a proactive pipeline approach- how can you have ABS regulations without a national strategy to capture the value of traditional knowledge and resources
   Solution: National strategy
2. Gap: We need to have graduated approach in ABS regulation- not just looking at academia but small businesses where commercial benefits are so small that no need for ABS. It should be economic yield based, which means as yield rises entering into ABS agreements become mandatory.
   Solution: Create simplified standard frameworks- for e.g. simple permit forms and simple questions
3. Gap: Relevance of traditional knowledge on trade of biological resources- use versus ownership. In the case of land ownership, ownership gives you the right to sell a biological resource, but there is no need for benefit sharing. Benefit sharing comes when it is linked to traditional knowledge, and the use of the resource is linked to this knowledge.
4. Solution: Government needs to provide clarity

Biotrade GROUP 2:

4 GAPS:

1. Gap: Lack of harmonization of ABS legislation at the regional level- eg. SA legislation focuses on biological resources whereas the Namibian case focuses on genetic resources.
   Solution: We can use existing frameworks such as the African Model Law and the Bonn Guidelines to harmonize country legislation
2. Gap: Lack of organization within private sector on ABS issues
   Solution: Need to form trade lobbies, associations and develop best practices
3. Gap: Need for capacity building on ABS issues.
   Solution: Nuanced and segmented capacity building at different stages
4. Gap: Need to capture traditional knowledge and species
5. Solution: National databases and regional harmonization of data bases.

Pierre's comment- It is only a good idea to regionally harmonize if we are able to develop a collective regional policy amongst countries that creates sustainable use rather than the current competitive approach between countries e.g. South Africa and Namibia

National implementation GROUP 3:

3 GAPS:

1. Gap:  Lack of commonly accepted standards for ethical behavior between resource providers and resource users
   Solution: Engage the union for ethical biotrade (UNCTAD) which brings together companies which are committed to ethical biotrade. In the context of this union- principles and best practices are developed. The best entry point is to engage this union.
2. Gap: Perception by users that ABS is high cost and not user friendly.
   Solution: One stop shop with clear transparent processes that are business friendly
3. Gap: There is a lack of clarity in what is included in the scope of the international regime
   Solution: All resources intended for commercial use

Go back to the overviewResults: Biotrade - GROUP 2