Impact of Access and Benefit Sharing implementation on biological control genetic resources

Abstract

The third objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the fair and equitable sharing of benefts arising out of the use of genetic resources was further developed when the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Beneft Sharing came into efect in 2014. Interpretation of how this agreement is being implemented is wide-ranging and there are implications for biological control. A survey of biological control workers indicated that while some countries have facilitated access to biological control genetic resources, requirements in other countries have impeded biological control implementation. There was consensus that benefts to provider countries should be in the form of supporting local research communities. There was also agreement that the free use and exchange of biological control genetic resources has provided benefts to the global community, including to both providers and recipients of the agents. It is recommended that consideration of the free use and exchange principal should be a key element of Access and Beneft Sharing measures for the future.