Friday // 2.22.2008

Frequently Asked Questions

The Secretariat has prepared these questions and answers to assist public understanding of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. It is not intended to provide legal interpretation of the Protocol. Please refer to the original text of the Protocol for any further information.

a.	Biosafety and Biotechnology
	(Questions 1-7)

b.	The Biosafety Protocol and its Implementation
	(Questions 8-28)

What is the exact name of the Biosafety Protocol?
What is the objective of the Protocol?
What is the "precautionary approach"? How is it reflected in the Protocol?
What does the Biosafety Protocol cover?
What are the main features of this Protocol?
What is the Advance Informed Agreement (AIA) Procedure?
What is the procedure for LMOs intended for direct use as food or feed, or for processing?
What is the Biosafety Clearing House (BCH)?
How does the Protocol address handling, transport, packaging and identification of LMOs?
What must Parties do in the event of unintentional transboundary movements of LMOs?
How does the Protocol address the issue of non-Parties?
How does the Protocol address capacity-building?
What initiatives have been taken towards capacity building for the effective implementation of the Protocol?
How does the Protocol protect confidential information?
How does the Protocol address public awareness and participation ?
Does the Protocol address the issue of compliance?
Does the Protocol deal with liability and redress for damage resulting from transboundary movements of LMOs?
What institutional arrangements does the Protocol require at the national level?
What is the governing body of the Protocol?
What is the relationship between the Protocol and the WTO?
Where can I get a copy of the text of the Protocol?

c.	Becoming a Party to the Protocol
	(Questions 29-35)

28. Where can I get a copy of the text of the Protocol?

The original of the Protocol, of which the Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish texts are equally authentic, has been deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The text of the Protocol is available on this site in all the 6 official UN languages and through the Protocol home page.