<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=windows-1252">
<META content="MSHTML 5.50.4522.1800" name=GENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>------------------------------------------------------------------------<FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> <BR></FONT><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>BRIDGES Trade BioRes, Vol. 3 No. 7 16 April,
2003</FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3> <BR></FONT><FONT
face="Courier New"
size=2>------------------------------------------------------------------------<SPAN
lang=en-gb></SPAN></FONT><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>
</FONT></FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Courier New" size=2><SPAN lang=en-us></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures</FONT></SPAN><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3> <BR></FONT><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT
face="Courier New"
size=2>------------------------------------------------------------------------</FONT></SPAN><SPAN
lang=en-gb></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-gb></SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>
<BR></FONT><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>SPS COMMITTEE ADOPTS
PROPOSAL ON TRANSPARENCY OF S&D</FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>The Committee on Sanitary
and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) at its meeting on 2-3 April addressed a
proposal by Canada on enhancing the transparency of special & differential
treatment (S&D) of developing countries under the SPS Agreement. The
proposal was generally seen as "one piece of the jigsaw puzzle" to address
developing countries' difficulties in keeping up and conforming with SPS
notifications. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>Also of interest at the
meeting were discussions on the EC's complaint regarding the Australian approval
and risk assessment procedures, and a report submitted by China highlighting
poor compliance by most countries with notification procedures.
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>One step forward in
addressing S&D in the SPS Agreement </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>The Canadian proposal,
adopted in principle at the SPS meeting, consists of two components
(G/SPS/W/127, available at </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://docsonline.wto.org/"><SPAN lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New"
color=#0000ff size=2>http://docsonline.wto.org/</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>). First, Members that may be
affected by a notified measure under the SPS Agreement are encouraged to enter
into bilateral consultations with the notifying Member in an effort to address
any issues of concern. The result of these consultations could be specific
S&D treatment with respect to the notified measure or other
mutually-acceptable solutions. Second, in order to ensure transparency, the
result of the bilateral discussions would be reported in an Addendum submitted
by the notifying Member, specifying the S&D treatment requested and
provided. Canada stressed that its proposal aimed to recognise the practical
difficulties of anticipating in advance who the importers would be for what
products. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>The proposal had been
submitted in response to a suggestion by Egypt to include a box in the
notification form for countries to state what S&D measures were included to
facilitate compliance with the notified SPS measure (see BRIDGES Weekly, 26
March 2002, </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.ictsd.org/weekly/02-03-26/story4.htm"><SPAN lang=en-gb><U><FONT
face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.ictsd.org/weekly/02-03-26/story4.htm</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>). While welcoming Canada's proposal,
several countries, including Egypt, the Philippines, Malaysia and India, noted
the need to continue discussions on this issue, both with regard to the
procedural details of the notification procedure and other measures that could
be implemented to support developing countries' efforts to comply with SPS
measures. These countries have repeatedly expressed concerns over difficulties
to pinpoint and react to notifications of particular concern to them due to the
large number of notifications submitted by Members. </FONT></SPAN></P><SPAN
lang=en-gb><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>
<P><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>------------------------------------------------------------------------</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>Events &
Resources</FONT></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>------------------------------------------------------------------------</FONT></SPAN><SPAN
lang=en-gb></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-gb></SPAN> </P></FONT></SPAN>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>TEMPORARILY CANCELLED: 24-26
April, Beijing, China: WIPO SUMMIT ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND THE KNOWLEDGE
ECONOMY. This event will feature three days of discussion, reflection and
comment on the key role of the intellectual property system in stimulating
creativity and innovation to foster economic growth and social well-being
through wealth creation and business development. For more information, contact:
WIPO; email: summit.china@wipo.int; Internet: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.wipo.org/summit-china/en/index.html"><SPAN lang=en-gb><U><FONT
face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.wipo.org/summit-china/en/index.html</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New"><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT
face="Courier New" size=2>28 April - 2 May, Copenhagen, Denmark: 6TH GOVERNING
BOARD MEETING OF THE GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY INFORMATION FACILITY. Organised by the
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). In addition to the Governing
Board meeting, there will be an inauguration for the new GBIF Secretariat
building, a presentation of the Ebbe Nielsen Prize, and the first GBIF Science
Symposium on Biodiversity Informatics. For more information contact: Mr. James
Edwards; tel: (45) 3532-1470; fax: 3532-1480; email: gbif@gbif.org; Internet:
</FONT></SPAN><A href="http://www.gbif.org"><SPAN lang=en-gb><U><FONT
face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.gbif.org</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT
face="Courier New" size=2>.</FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New">
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>29-30 April, Geneva,
Switzerland: WTO COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT. For further information,
contact: the WTO Information and Media Relations Division, Geneva; tel: (41-22)
739- 5007; fax: 739-5458; email: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="mailto:enquiries@wto.org"><SPAN lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New"
color=#0000ff size=2>enquiries@wto.org</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>29-30 April, Geneva,
Switzerland: WTO SPECIAL SESSION OF THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE-RELATED ASPECTS OF
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. For further information, contact: the WTO
Information and Media Relations Division, Geneva; tel: (41-22) 739- 5007; fax:
739-5458; email: <A
href="mailto:enquiries@wto.org">enquiries@wto.org</A>.</FONT></SPAN></P><SPAN
lang=en-gb>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>19-23 May, Bonn, Germany:
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RURAL LIVELIHOODS, FORESTS AND BIODIVERSITY.
Organised by the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), the German
Foundation for International Development (DSE), Germany's Ministry of Economic
Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and ‘Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische
Zusammenarbeit (GTZ). This conference will consider the role of forests in
supporting rural livelihoods in developing countries and in maintaining
biodiversity. Key objectives are to survey current knowledge and identify policy
lessons and a future research strategy. For more information contact: William
Sunderlin; tel: (251) 622-622; fax: 622-100; email: w.sunderlin@cgiar.org;
Internet: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.cifor.cgiar.org/shared/template/livelihoodconference.asp"><SPAN
lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.cifor.cgiar.org/shared/template/livelihoodconference.asp</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>19-20 May, London, United
Kingdom: CONFERENCE ON FOOD PRODUCTION AND THE NEW TRADE AGENDA. This two-day
conference, hosted by the Royal Institute for International Affairs (RIIA), will
address questions related to food production, transportation, and sales. For
more information contact: RIIA; tel: (44-20) 7957-5700; fax: 7957-5710; email:
contact@riia.org; Internet: </FONT></SPAN><A href="http://www.riia.org"><SPAN
lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.riia.org</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT
face="Courier New" size=2>.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>21-23 May, London, United
Kingdom: 2010: THE BIODIVERSITY CHALLENGE. This second "Biodiversity after
Johannesburg" meeting will follow up on the first that was held from 2-4 March
2003. Organized by the CBD, UNEP-WCMC and UNDP, it is intended to lead to an
improved understanding of what the CBD target of significantly reducing
biodiversity loss by 2010 actually means in real terms, and how to know whether
the targets have been achieved. For more information contact: Jerry Harrison,
UNEP, World Conservation Monitoring Centre; email: Jerry.Harrison@unep-wcmc.org;
Internet: </FONT></SPAN><A href="http://www.unep-wcmc.org"><SPAN
lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.unep-wcmc.org</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT
face="Courier New" size=2>. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>POST-DOHA
AFRICAN CHALLENGES IN THE SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY AND TRADE RELATED
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AGREEMENT. By H. Nyangito, Kenya Institute for
Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA), 2002. This paper analyses the
challenges faced by sub-Saharan Africa with regard to trade-related aspects of
intellectual property rights (TRIPS) and sanitary and phytosanitary measures
(SPS), with a focus on the post-Doha negotiating environment. The TRIPS
agreement sets a minimum standard for the protection of intellectual property
rights, and the SPS agreement stipulates rules in relation to the health of
plants, animals, and their products, which might restrict international trade.
The paper argues that, even though sub-Saharan Africa has more WTO negotiating
power now than ever before, the challenges of the Doha round need to be taken
into account and opportunities exploited in order for Africa to benefit from
trade liberalisation. The paper is available online at: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.kippra.org/Download/OPNo4.pdf"><SPAN lang=en-gb><U><FONT
face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.kippra.org/Download/OPNo4.pdf</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>.</FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P><SPAN
lang=en-gb><SPAN lang=en-gb>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>REGULATING GMOS IN
DEVELOPING AND TRANSITION COUNTRIES. By the FAO Working Group on Biotechnology,
April 2003. This document provides background material related to an e-mail
forum on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in agriculture and food. It
covers forestry and livestock sectors, fisheries, and the agro-industry. For
more information, please visit: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.fao.org/biotech/C9doc.htm"><SPAN lang=en-gb><U><FONT
face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.fao.org/biotech/C9doc.htm</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>; or email: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="mailto:biotech-admin@fao.org"><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>biotech-admin@fao.org</FONT></SPAN></A><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT
face="Courier New" size=2>.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>ISSUES LINKED TO THE
CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN THE WTO NEGOTATIONS: IMPLEMENTING DOHA
MANDATES. By David Eugui, Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL).
This document analyses the mandates related to the Trade-Related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement and the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD). The author argues that the TRIPS Agreement is affecting the
fulfilment of the CBD in areas such as: the primacy of private rights over
public rights; the recognition of intellectual property rights that use genetic
resources and traditional knowledge without prior informed consent or benefit
sharing; reduction of plant diversity; and the gradual use of genetically
modified organisms (GMOs). The document is available at: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.ciel.org/Publications/Note_CBD_EDITEDversion.pdf"><SPAN
lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.ciel.org/Publications/Note_CBD_EDITEDversion.pdf</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>HANDBOOK OF BIODIVERSITY
VALUATION: A GUIDE FOR POLICY MAKERS. By OECD. This handbook focuses on the
nature of values associated with biodiversity and the different approaches that
can be adopted to assign values for policy purposes. It uses a variety of
case studies to illustrate the valuation process in OECD countries. The document
can be ordered at: </FONT></SPAN><A href="http://www.oecd.org/bookshop"><SPAN
lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.oecd.org/bookshop</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT
face="Courier New" size=2>.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>PLANT AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH:
THE IMPACT OF IPRS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. By the UN Food and
Agriculture Organisation (FAO), 2002. This meeting report shares the results of
discussions held during an expert workshop organised by FAO. The document
focuses on intellectual property rights (IPRs) policy strategies for
agricultural biotechnology at the international, national, and institutional
levels. It also covers the experts' discussion about the possibility of
establishing an international biotechnology policy network. The report can be
accessed at: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.fao.org/biotech/docs/torvergatareport.htm"><SPAN
lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.fao.org/biotech/docs/torvergatareport.htm</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND THE
CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY by Glover, D. et al. produced by the United
Nations Environment Programme (2003). The report summarises a study of the ways
in which different countries have sought to promote and facilitate public
awareness and participation in the design and implementation of their national
biosafety frameworks (NBFs). The aim of this study is to assist policy-makers by
identifying and assessing a range of tools and approaches that may help to
promote and facilitate public awareness, education and participation concerning
the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms. The report is
available online at: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.unep.ch/biosafety/PublicParticipationIDS.pdf"><SPAN
lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.unep.ch/biosafety/PublicParticipationIDS.pdf</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><BR> </P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>------------------------------------------------------------------------</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>To subscribe to this list,
send a blank email to subscribe_biores@ictsd.ch. To unsubscribe, send an email
to unsubscribe_biores@ictsd.ch.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>To become a member of the
IUCN Working Group on Environment, Trade and Investment (GETI) or to receive
further information please send an email to:
mjacobsen@ictsd.ch.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>BRIDGES Trade BioRes© is
published by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development
(ICTSD), </FONT></SPAN><A href="http://www.ictsd.org"><SPAN
lang=en-us></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us><U><FONT face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.ictsd.org</FONT></U></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>, in collaboration with IUCN - World
Conservation Union, </FONT></SPAN><A href="http://www.iucn.org"><SPAN
lang=en-us></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us><U><FONT face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.iucn.org</FONT></U></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>, and IUCN's Commission on
Environmental, Economic and Social Policy, CEESP, </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.cenesta.org/ceesp/"><SPAN lang=en-us></SPAN><SPAN
lang=en-us><U><FONT face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.cenesta.org/ceesp/</FONT></U></SPAN><SPAN
lang=en-us></SPAN></A><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>This edition of BRIDGES
Trade BioRes was edited by Malena Sell, msell@ictsd.ch. Contributors to this
issue were Kevin McAdam, Heike Baumuller, Marianne Jacobsen, and Candis
Robinson. Executive Director is Ricardo Meléndez-Ortiz, ictsd@ictsd.ch. ICTSD is
an independent, not-for-profit organisation based</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>at: 13, ch. des Anémones,
1219 Geneva, Switzerland, tel: (41-22) 917-8492;</FONT></SPAN> <BR><SPAN
lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>fax: 917-8093. Excerpts</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>from BRIDGES Trade BioRes
may be used in other publications with appropriate citation. Comments and
suggestions are welcomed and should be directed to the Editor or the
Director.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>BRIDGES Trade BioRes is made
possible in 2003 through the generous support of the Minister of Housing,
Spatial Planning, and the Environment (Netherlands) and the Swiss Agency for the
Environment, Forests and Landscape (BUWAL). It also benefits from ICTSD's core
funders: the Governments of Finland (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Denmark
(DANIDA - Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Netherlands (DGIS - Ministry of Foreign
Affairs), Sweden (SIDA - Swedish International Development Agency), Switzerland
(SDC - Swiss Development Cooperation) and the UK (DFID - Department of
International Development); Christian Aid (UK), the Rockefeller Foundation,
MISEREOR, NOVIB (NL), Oxfam (UK), and the Swiss Coalition of Development
Organisations (Switzerland). ISSN 1682-0843.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN
lang=en-us></SPAN><SPAN lang=en-us></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>ISSN 1682-0843</FONT></SPAN>
<BR></P></SPAN>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </P></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></BODY></HTML>