Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety - Correspondence with Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

Submission of the Government of Australia

Responding to the request for views on the transition between the pilot phase and the fully operational and functional Biosafety Clearing House

(para 1, recommendation 3/3)

The enhancements made to the Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) by the Secretariat in early 2003 have had a positive impact on the useability of the site.

A review of the information contained within the BCH that relates to Australia has been conducted.  This information has been updated where necessary.  The Secretariat’s timely assistance with these updates was most appreciated.

Useability of the site would be further enhanced by the inclusion of the taxonomic name in lists of search results. For example, this information could be included for each result listed when searching by country for Decisions on LMO for Food, for Feed and for Processing under Article 11.

Australia encourages Parties to the Protocol to make available information relevant to their implementation of the Protocol, including any regulations or laws introduced to implement their obligations under the Protocol.