Improved access to biological control genetic resources: navigating through the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol

Abstract

The use of living organisms or natural substances to counteract the damage caused by harmful organisms to economically and/or ecologically important species has provided significant benefits to the global community. The Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol, a supplementary agreement to it, regulate access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable distribution of benefits arising out of their utilization. Despite the good intentions pursued by the international regime—mainly, the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity—, non-strategic national measures adopted pursuant to the Convention and the Protocol may create obstacles or even impede access to, and use of biological control genetic resources. In view of that, this paper recommends different pathways the scientists and practitioners working in the field of biological control may consider in order to enhance access to these resources.