BIODIVERSITY : ACCESS TO GENETIC RESOURCES: ENVI APPROVES AGREEMENT.

An agreement drawn up between the European Parliament and Council negotiators on access to genetic resources and sharing the benefits of their use was approved by the EP's Committee on the Environment (ENVI), on 22 January. The agreement also covers traditional knowledge held by indigenous or local communities, and the new rules should contribute to the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components.a

The draft regulation transposes measures under the Nagoya Protocol into EU law. These include a number of rules guaranteeing access to and sharing of monetary and non-monetary benefits from using genetic resources, and associated traditional knowledge. The plenary vote in the EP should take place in March, and the Council will make its final decision after this. The regulation and the Nagoya Protocol should enter into force the same day.

The text provides that genetic material of plant, animal, microbial or other origin of actual or potential...