Notification 2009-056

Dear Madam/Sir, The Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP MOP), in its decision BS-IV/11, requested Parties and invited other Governments and relevant organizations to submit to the Executive Secretary scientifically sound information on the identification of living modified organisms or specific traits that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health. In the same decision, the Parties to the Protocol established a process consisting of an Open-ended Online Expert Forum and an Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG) on Risk Assessment and Risk Management. In accordance with the terms of reference as established by the Parties, the AHTEG shall consider possible modalities for cooperation in identifying living modified organisms or specific traits that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health at its second meeting. In order to allow timely deliberations on the issue by experts of the Open-ended Online Forum through a) ad hoc discussion groups, tentatively scheduled to start in November 2009; and b) real-time conferences, tentatively scheduled to start in February 2010, as well as by the experts of the AHTEG during its second meeting, tentatively scheduled for April 2010, you are kindly invited to submit to the Secretariat any scientifically sound information currently available on the above subject as soon as possible, but no later than 15 September 2009. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my appreciation for your continued cooperation and support towards the work of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) National Focal Points, CBD National Focal Points (where CPB focal points have not yet been designated), Biosafety Clearing House National Focal Points, Relevant Organizations