Relevant excerpts from the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
The objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, adopted in 1992, are the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, including by appropriate access to genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of relevant technologies, taking into account all rights over those resources, and by appropriate funding. (CBD Article 1)
The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted at its fifth session in 2000 the request (V/26) to Parties to designate a national focal point and one or more competent national authorities, as appropriate, to be responsible for access and benefit sharing arrangements or to provide information on such arrangements within its jurisdiction. It also noted that information is a critical aspect of providing the necessary bargaining power for stakeholders in access and benefit sharing arrangements, and that, in this respect, there is a particular need for more inforation regarding user institutions, the market for genetic resources, non-monetary benefits, new and emerging mechanisms for benefit sharing, incentive measures, clarification of definitions, sui generis systems and intermediaries.
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Policy documents
The policy document of the Dutch Government Sources of Existence: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Genetic Diversity.
National Report on Animal Genetic Resources, the Netherlands.
North-South Policy Brief on the Relevance of Access and Benefit Sharing for Farm Animal Genetic Resources.
Standard Material Transfer Agreement
Examples of agreements regarding access and benefit sharing
- Material Transfer Agreement (PDF), Centraal Bureau voor Schimmelcultures (CBS), the Netherlands.
- Elements for a Material Transfer Agreement (PDF), European Cooperative Programme for Crop Genetic Resources Networks.
- Material Acquisition Agreement (PDF), CGN, the Netherlands and the Government of Sierra Leone.
- Botanical Gardens strategy (PDF), Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and the International Association of Botanic Gardens (IABG).
- Research agreement (PDF), Searice, the Philippines and CGN, the Netherlands.
- Memorandum of Understanding (safety duplication of collections) (PDF), Rice Research Station (RRS), Sierra Leone and CGN, the Netherlands.
- Memorandum of Understanding (repatriation agreement) (PDF), Foundation For Promotion And Research Of Andean Products (PROINPA), Bolivia and CGN, the Netherlands.