Can Montreal help communities: Here’s a look at access and benefit-sharing around the world

Can Montreal help communities: Here’s a look at access and benefit-sharing around the world

Subject: Environment

Context-

• Access and benefit sharing is one of the three objectives of the United Nations Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD).
• But on the ground, there is very little evidence that benefits arising from the use of biodiversity have been shared equitably with the communities that have protected it for centuries.

What is ABS?

• Access and benefit sharing (ABS) refers to the way in which genetic resources may be accessed, and how users and providers reach an agreement on the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits that might result from their use.
• Article 15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) sets out rules, which govern access and benefit sharing. Under these rules, the governments of countries have two key responsibilities:
  • To put in place systems that facilitate access to genetic resources for environmentally sound purposes
  • To ensure that the benefits resulting from their use are shared fairly and equitably between users and providers

Key agreements:

• Prior informed consent (PIC): Permission given from the CNAs (Competent National Authority) of a provider country to a user prior to accessing genetic resources, in line with an appropriate legal and institutional framework.
• Mutually agreed terms (MAT): An agreement reached between the providers of genetic resources and users on the conditions of access and use of the resources, and the benefits to be shared between both parties.

Status of ABS globally-

• CBD leaves many matters to the interpretation of each country’s laws.
• Some allow for the communities to receive benefits directly, while others consider that the state should manage them.
• Axolotl of Mexico-
  • Mexico, a founding member of CBD, has issued only eight internationally recognised certificates of compliance (IRCC).
  • Biopiracy has led to mistrust among the community in terms of sharing knowledge and hence, there is a lack of progress in developing agreements.
  • An example of biopiracy is that of the axolotl, a Mexican salamander that can regrow its limbs and organs and thus may hold clues for human tissue regeneration.
  • Biodiverse countries like Colombia, Costa Rica and Paraguay are not parties to the Nagoya Protocol, while in others like Brazil, national politics undermine environmental policies.
• kurinji honey- India
  • It is collected from the Shola forest region in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu.
  • This honey is considered rare as it is collected from bees that feed on Strobilantheskunthiana, a shrub with a purplish-blue flower that blooms once in 12 years.
  • Peliyan tribal community, which collects the honey have received the benefit of this yet.
• Political issues have hampered benefit sharing from the use of genetic resources in Cameroon, Africa, which is seeing civil unrest.
• Mondiawhitei, a tree climber found in Cameroon and Kenya.
  • The plant is used as a food flavouring agent and its roots to treat multiple diseases.