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<BR><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>BRIDGES Trade BioRes, Vol. 3
No.11 13 June, 2003</FONT> <BR><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>-----------------------------------------------------------------------</FONT>
</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>Intellectual Property Rights</FONT> <BR><FONT
face="Courier New"
size=2>-----------------------------------------------------------------------</FONT>
</P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>CBD-TRIPS DISCUSSION PICKING
UP SPEED AT THE WTO</FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>Meeting on 4-5 June and
again briefly on 6 June, the WTO Council for Trade-related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) received a number of proposals related to
biodiversity and traditional knowledge. Momentum is again building on
discussions at the WTO on these issues, which developing countries are hoping to
address as part of the current round of trade negotiations.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>The TRIPS Council received
three new submissions related to the review of Article 27.3(b) (patentability of
life forms), traditional knowledge (TK) and biodiversity from Switzerland
(IP/C/W/400, 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>), the African Group (IP/C/W/404,
available at </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.ictsd.org/iprsonline/ictsd/docs/article273b_AfricanGroup_4June2003.pdf"><SPAN
lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.ictsd.org/iprsonline/ictsd/docs/article273b_AfricanGroup_4June2003.pdf</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>) and India on behalf of Brazil,
Bolivia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Thailand, Peru and Venezuela
(IP/C/W/403, available at </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.ictsd.org/iprsonline/ictsd/docs/wto_IPCW403.pdf"><SPAN
lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.ictsd.org/iprsonline/ictsd/docs/wto_IPCW403.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>The Swiss submission
proposes an amendment to the World Intellectual Property Organisation's (WIPO's)
Patent Cooperation Treaty that would enable countries to require patent
applicants to declare the source of the genetic resources and TK in patent
applications. Switzerland also reiterated the "crucial importance" of databases
to protect TK. On the CBD-TRIPs relationship, Switzerland noted that both "can
and should" be implemented without conflict and that there was no need to modify
the provisions of either.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>In contrast to the Swiss
proposal, both the African Group's and the India-led submissions stress the need
for a multilateral solution to these issues in the TRIPs Council, while also
noting that any efforts in the WTO would not preclude work on these issues in
other forums. They highlight the limited progress that has so far been
made in WIPO's Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) on Intellectual Property and
Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore, and note the limitations
of national laws and contracts to prevent biopiracy at the international level.
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>The India-led proposal
reiterates the countries' proposal for amending the TRIPs Agreement to require
patent applicants to disclose the source of origin of the biological resource
and associated TK, and evidence of prior informed consent and benefit-sharing
(BRIDGES Trade BioRes, 11 July 2002, </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.ictsd.org/biores/02-07-11/story1.htm"><SPAN lang=en-gb><U><FONT
face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.ictsd.org/biores/02-07-11/story1.htm</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>). The submission also addresses a
number of arguments against the proposal put forward by the US. By reiterating
their proposal, the countries aim to ensure that this item remains on the agenda
and that the proposal will be discussed and adopted as part of the Doha round of
trade negotiations.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>Similarly, the African Group
notes that "any protection of genetic resources and TK will not be effective
until international mechanisms are found and established within the framework of
the TRIPs Agreement", and describes other means such as access contracts and
databases as merely "supplementary". The African submission, however, goes
considerably further in its scope than the India-led proposal by calling for
Article 27.3(b) to be revised so as to prohibit patenting of plants, animals and
micro-organisms. On traditional knowledge, the Group proposes to classify TK as
a category of intellectual property rights and puts forward a draft Decision on
TK for adoption by the TRIPs Council.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>At the meeting, the EC noted
that the Swiss proposal further developed many of the EC's own ideas, though the
EC did not specify whether the issue should be addressed in the WTO or in WIPO.
The EC again signalled its willingness to discuss mandatory disclosure of origin
requirements (see BRIDGES Trade BioRes, 26 September 2002, </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.ictsd.org/biores/02-09-26/story1.htm"><SPAN lang=en-gb><U><FONT
face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.ictsd.org/biores/02-09-26/story1.htm</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>). The EC, however, rejected the
African Group's call for a ban on patenting of life forms. While acknowledging
that the Swiss proposal showed willingness to engage in discussions, one
developing country trade source believed that restricting the debate to WIPO was
not satisfactory as it would not oblige countries to address biopiracy through
intellectual property rights.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>For an update on other
discussions at the TRIPs Council, including on TRIPs & health and special
& differential treatment, see BRIDGES Weekly, 12 June 2003, </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.ictsd.org/weekly/03-06-12/story2.htm"><SPAN lang=en-gb><U><FONT
face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.ictsd.org/weekly/03-06-12/story2.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>ICTSD
reporting.</FONT></SPAN> </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>Agriculture</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>-----------------------------------------------------------------------</FONT></SPAN>
</P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>AGRICULTURE UPDATE: SPECIAL
SAFEGUARD MECHANISM DISCUSSED, CAP REFORM HITS HURDLES</FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>On 27 May, Members of the
WTO Committee on Agriculture (CoA) met for technical consultations on a possible
new special safeguard mechanism for developing countries. Reportedly,
discussions were comprehensive, but only little progress was made on the form
and scope of such a new instrument. Interestingly, the US was said to have -- in
contrast to its usual reactions -- shown general sympathy towards the idea of
creating a new safeguard mechanism solely open to developing countries.
Nevertheless, US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick recently stated at the US
Congress Agriculture Committee that the US could only accept a new safeguard
that would not be accessible to certain developing country Members, such as
exporters of a specific commodity or countries with per capita incomes beyond a
certain benchmark. "I can't do the same thing for Brazil, which is an exporter,"
Zoellick reportedly told US Congress, referring to concessions the US might to
grant net food importing countries in the Caribbean.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>According to trade sources,
the CoA continued technical consultations from 4-6 June on subjects such as
tariff reduction formulas, trade preferences, treatment of vulnerable groups,
and non-trade concerns (NTCs).</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>EU announces advanced farm
offer for Cancun - CAP reform talks postponed</FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>During the 1-3 June G-8
summit held in Evian, France, both French President Jacques Chirac and Romano
Prodi, President of the European Commission, announced that the EU would be
equipped with a new negotiating mandate providing the European Commission with
greater </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>leeway at the forthcoming
high-level negotiations at the WTO Ministerial Conference from 10-14 September
in Cancun, Mexico. Such an extended mandate would greatly depend on EU member
states being able to agree on a reform package for the EU Common Agricultural
Policy (CAP) along the lines of a proposal by EU Agriculture Commissioner
Fischler. However, Fischler's proposal to "decouple" CAP subsidies from
production [to make them eligible for the Green Box under which Members can
subsidise without any reduction commitments] is still heavily opposed by EU
member state such as France, Spain and Ireland. Nevertheless, several observers
of the CAP mid-term negotiations indicated that there seemed to be some movement
in the French position, and France could be willing to accept at least a partial
decoupling of trade distorting EU farm support. "There's a clear consensus
emerging, we will get some form of decoupling," an EU official said. He further
added that, officially, the French had not yet altered their position on
decoupling, but "it looks like the Irish may be moving," he said.
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>However, on 13 June
negotiations on the CAP reform collapsed and EU farm ministers decided to
postpone and reconvene on 17 June in the hope to able to agree on a deal at that
time instead. The collapse of negotiations was triggered by France and Germany.
France rejected the first compromise proposal tabled by the Greek presidency and
a bilateral deal between Germany and France triggered the anger of the other
negotiators as it became public that Germany had agreed to back-up the position
of France and reject the compromise deal. The Commission and the Greek
Presidency are now counting on another compromise deal, which will be presented
on 17 June. Otherwise the issue would be transferred to EU heads of
state.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>ICTSD reporting; "EU trashes
out farm reform, French take to streets," </FONT></SPAN><BR><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>REUTERS, 26 May 2003; "Global trade
discussions may get a kick-start," </FONT></SPAN><BR><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT
face="Courier New" size=2>DOW JONES, 27 May 2003; "G-8 Summit: developing
countries demand better </FONT></SPAN><BR><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT
face="Courier New" size=2>deal on trade; new EU farm offer said coming," WTO
REPORTER, 3 June 203.</FONT></SPAN> <BR><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT
face="Courier New" size=2>"CAP reform talks postponed" EurActiv, 13 June 2003.
</FONT></SPAN></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>In Brief</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>-----------------------------------------------------------------------</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>NEW BIOTRADE PROJECT
LAUNCHED IN BOLIVIA </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>A National Sustainable
Biotrade Programme (PNBS) was launched in Bolivia on 11 June with the aim of
helping to reduce poverty and fostering sustainable development. The UN
Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Biotrade Initiative -- which seeks
to enhance the ability of developing countries to produce value-added products
and services derived from biodiversity for both domestic and international
markets -- is the sponsoring agency. Switzerland and the Netherlands will make
financial contributions. Bolivia, a member of the group of "megadiverse"
countries that together contain some 70 percent of the world's biodiversity,
possesses a great deal of natural wealth, while poverty levels are high. The
PNBS seeks to promote income generation and the fair distribution of the
benefits through the sustainable use of biodiversity. Its objective is to
stimulate production of and trade in biodiversity goods, according to
ecological, social and economic sustainability criteria. The programme contains
five elements, including the development of standards for promoting the
sustainable management of biodiversity and training in biotrade for the various
national stakeholders. Other projects will complement the Bolivia Programme.
These include the UNCTAD/ICC Biotrade Facilitation Programme and the Andean
Biotrade Programme implemented by the Andean Community.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>"UNCTAD, Netherlands and
Switzerland join together to support the national biotrade project in Bolivia,"
UNCTAD PRESS RELEASE, 11 June 2003.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New"><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT
face="Courier New"
size=2>-----------------------------------------------------------------------</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>Events &
Resources</FONT></SPAN> <BR><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>-----------------------------------------------------------------------</FONT></SPAN>
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>16-18 June,
Dhaka, Bangladesh: THIRD REGIONAL SESSION FOR ASIA OF THE GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY
FORUM. Organised by the World Conservation Union - IUCN - this forum will
address the following four key issues: People and protected areas; sustainable
development and livelihoods; access, benefit sharing, and biosafety - relevance
to trade and intellectual property rights; and the role of taxonomy in
conservation in South Asia. For information: contact Caroline Martinet, tel: +41
22 999 00 01; fax: 999 00 25; e-mail: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="mailto:caroline.martinet@iucn.org"><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT
face="Courier New" size=2>caroline.martinet@iucn.org</FONT></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>; Internet: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.gbf.ch"><SPAN lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New"
color=#0000ff size=2>http://www.gbf.ch</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>23-27 June, Trondheim,
Norway: FOURTH TRONDHEIM CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY. The Norway/UN Conference on
Technology Transfer and Capacity Building is organised by The Trondheim
Conference. For more information contact: The Trondheim Conference, tel: +47 22
24 5700; fax: + 47 73 801401; e-mail: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="mailto:laila.saksgard@nina.no"><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>laila.saksgard@nina.no</FONT></SPAN></A><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT
face="Courier New" size=2>; Internet: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://chm.dirnat.no"><SPAN lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New"
color=#0000ff size=2>http://chm.dirnat.no</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><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT
face="Courier New" size=2>23-28 June, Rome, Italy: FAO COUNCIL . The 124th
Session of the Council is organised by the U.N. Food and Agriculture
Organisation. For further information contact Mohammed Rouighi, Director:
e-mail: </FONT></SPAN><A href="mailto:mohammed.rouighi@fao.org"><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>mohammed.rouighi@fao.org</FONT></SPAN></A><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT
face="Courier New" size=2>, Internet: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.fao.org"><SPAN lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New"
color=#0000ff size=2>http://www.fao.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>24-25 June, Geneva,
Switzerland: WTO COMMITTEE ON SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES. For
information contact: the WTO Information and Media Relations Division, Geneva;
tel: 739-5007; fax: 739-5458; e-mail: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="mailto:enquiries@wto.org"><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>enquiries@wto.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>26 June, Geneva,
Switzerland: WTO COMMITTEE ON MARKET ACCESS. For information contact: the WTO
Information and Media Relations Division, Geneva; tel: +41 22 739 5007; fax: 739
5458; e-mail: </FONT></SPAN><A href="mailto:enquiries@wto.org"><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>enquiries@wto.org</FONT></SPAN></A><SPAN lang=en-gb></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>26-27 June, Rome, Italy:
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION. For further
information on the 52nd Session of the Executive Committee contact the
Secretariat of the joint FAO/WHO Food Standard Programme, tel: +39 (06) 5705 1;
fax: +39 (06) 5705 4593; e-mail: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="mailto:codex@fao.org"><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>codex@fao.org</FONT></SPAN></A><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>: Internet: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.codexalimentarius.net"><SPAN lang=en-gb><U><FONT
face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.codexalimentarius.net</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>Other Forthcoming
Events</FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>29 June –3 July, Ravello,
Italy: 7TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PUBLIC GOODS AND PUBLIC POLICY FOR
AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY. Organised by the International Consortium on
Agricultural Biotechnology Research (ICABR), the conference will focus, inter
alia, on the impact of agricultural biotechnology and science; biotechnology,
trade and development. For further information contact Vittorio Santaniello,
tel: +39 (06) 7259 5843; fax: 7259 5705; e-mail: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="mailto:icabr@economia.uniroma2.it"><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT
face="Courier New" size=2>icabr@economia.uniroma2.it</FONT></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>; Internet: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.economia.uniroma2.it/conference/icabr2003/Default.htm"><SPAN
lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.economia.uniroma2.it/conference/icabr2003/Default.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>30 June - 5 July, Rome,
Italy: 25TH SESSION OF THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION. For further
information contact the Secretariat of the joint FAO/WHO Food Standard
Programme, tel: +39 (06) 57051; fax: 5705 4593; e-mail: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="mailto:codex@fao.org"><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>codex@fao.org</FONT></SPAN></A><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>: Internet: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.codexalimentarius.net"><SPAN lang=en-gb><U><FONT
face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.codexalimentarius.net</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=en-gb></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>1-4 July, Rome, Italy: AD
HOC TECHNICAL EXPERT GROUP ON MOUNTAIN BIODIVERSITY. This meeting is organised
by Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity. For information
contact Hamdallah Zedan, Executive Secretary, tel: +1 514 288 2220; fax: 288
6588; e-mail: </FONT></SPAN><A href="mailto:secretariat@biodiv.org"><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>secretariat@biodiv.org</FONT></SPAN></A><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT
face="Courier New" size=2>; Internet: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.biodiv.org"><SPAN lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New"
color=#0000ff size=2>http://www.biodiv.org</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2> </FONT></SPAN></P><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face=Arial>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>Courses</FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>16-20 June, Tokyo, Japan.
COURSE ON WTO AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. This course, aimed at university
professors, is organised by the United Nations University/Institute of Advanced
Studies. For further information please contact Prof. A.H. Zakri, Director, tel:
+81 3 5467 2323; fax: 5467 2324; e-mail: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="mailto:zakri@ias.unu.edu"><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>zakri@ias.unu.edu</FONT></SPAN></A><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT
face="Courier New" size=2>; Internet: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.ias.unu.edu"><SPAN lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New"
color=#0000ff size=2>http://www.ias.unu.edu</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><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>Resources</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>-----------------------------------------------------------------------</FONT></SPAN><SPAN
lang=en-gb></SPAN> </P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>RESOURCES</FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>If you have a relevant
resource (books, papers, bulletins, etc.) you would like to see announced in
this section, please forward a copy or review by the BRIDGES staff to Marianne
Jacobsen, mjacobsen@ictsd.ch.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>KEEPING SCIENCE OPEN: THE
EFFECTS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY POLICY ON THE CONDUCT OF SCIENCE. (Royal
Society UK, April 2003) This report considers whether progress in science has
been affected by the interpretation and use of intellectual property policies,
and makes recommendations for improvement. A copy of the report is available at:
</FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/templates/statements/StatementDetails.cfm?statementid=221"><SPAN
lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/templates/statements/StatementDetails.cfm?statementid=221</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>STATUS OF THE RIGHTS OF
FARMERS AND PLANT BREEDERS IN ASIA. By Ujjwal Kumar and Suman Sahai (Gene
Campaign, June 2003). This book compares the salient features of the Plant
Variety Protection (PVP) legislation (enacted or proposed) of nine Asian
countries -- Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China, South Korea,
Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. It also contains three articles that provide
a detailed account of the rights of farmers in the Indian PVP law in the context
of India's move to join the UPOV Convention. It highlights points to show that
joining UPOV is not in the interest of developing countries. For further
information, please write to Prabhu Ram at: gc@genecampaign.org or
genecamp@vsnl.com.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>BIOTECHNOLOGY IN DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES: NEEDS AND MODES OF COMPETENCE BUILDING. By the Norwegian Centre for
International Environment and Development Studies (Noragric, 2003). This report
examines opportunities for building scientific capacity in developing countries
around the various applications for biotechnology. With particular reference to
Africa the report looks at a range of applications from industrial to small
scale agriculture such as food technology, animal and plant disease management,
tolerance of stress, and more efficient utilization of resources. A copy of the
report is available at: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.nlh.no/noragric/publications/reports/NoragricRep14A.pdf"><SPAN
lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.nlh.no/noragric/publications/reports/NoragricRep14A.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>GM CROPS: GOING AGAINST THE
GRAIN. By ActionAid (2003). This paper asks: Do GM crops help eradicate poverty?
Do GM crops meet the needs of poor farmers? Do they threaten basic rights? Do GM
crops threaten biodiversity? Do GM crops enhance informed choice and
participation for poor people? A copy of the paper is available at:
</FONT></SPAN><A href="http://www.actionaid.org/resources/pdfs/gatg.pdf"><SPAN
lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.actionaid.org/resources/pdfs/gatg.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>Electronic
Resources</FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE
WEBSITE. This website, launched by IUCN, TRAFFIC, Fauna & Flora
International and ResourceAfrica, seeks to provide a focal point for the variety
of ongoing work around the world on the precautionary principle in natural
resource management and biodiversity conservation. It currently provides
background on the precautionary principle, and information on the Precautionary
Principle Project. The site can be accessed at: </FONT></SPAN><A
href="http://www.pprinciple.net"><SPAN lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New"
color=#0000ff size=2>http://www.pprinciple.net</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>GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS
WEBSITE. Through this website, those interested in learning more about the
topics of protection of geographical indications will find information about the
use of names that point to a specific geographic place. It provides links to
relevant rules in the US, the EU and other countries, and also to regimes of
international organisations such as WIPO and WTO. The website can be accessed
at: </FONT></SPAN><A href="http://www.geographicindications.com"><SPAN
lang=en-gb><U><FONT face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.geographicindications.com</FONT></U></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=en-gb><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><BR><BR> </P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New"
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<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><U><FONT
face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.ictsd.org</FONT></U></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><U><FONT
face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.iucn.org</FONT></U></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.iucn.org/themes/ceesp"><SPAN lang=en-us><U><FONT
face="Courier New" color=#0000ff
size=2>http://www.iucn.org/themes/ceesp</FONT></U></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 and Marianne Jacobsen
mjacobsen@ictsd.ch. Contributors to this issue were Heike Baumüller, Cécile
Giraud, Marianne Jacobsen, Malena Sell, Alex Werth. Executive Director is
Ricardo Meléndez-Ortiz, ictsd@ictsd.ch. ICTSD is an independent, not-for-profit
organisation based at: 13, ch. des Anémones, 1219 Geneva, Switzerland, tel:
(41-22) 917-8492; fax: 917-8093. Excerpts 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-us><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</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>(Netherlands) and the Swiss
Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape (BUWAL). It also benefits from
ICTSD's core funders: the Governments of Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands and
Sweden; Christian Aid (UK), the Rockefeller Foundation, MISEREOR, NOVIB (NL),
Oxfam (UK) and the Swiss Coalition of Development Organisations
(Switzerland).</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>ISSN 1682-0843</FONT></SPAN>
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