ISLAMABAD (November 22 2008): Pakistan is to ratify Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety convention on biological diversity after which it will be able to have modified products like BT cotton, bio-fertiliser, virus-free seed and potato etc. The issue had been placed before the cabinet a couple of weeks ago, which questioned the officials of Environment Ministry for proposing a pact, which has not even been signed by the United States.
The ministry informed the cabinet that Pakistan imported many food items and agricultural products from different sources. However, no system presently existed to differentiate normal products from Living or Genetically Modified Organisms (LMOs or GMOs), which were developed through genetic engineering techniques.
Although the imported products have advantages like improved yields, protection from pests and diseases etc, yet they could pose serious and irreversible impact on health and environment like spread of new toxins and allergens in foods, spread of diseases etc the cartagena protocol established a system that provided for trans-boundary movement of LMO for direct use as food or feed, or for processing their movement through web-based biosafety clearing-house.
The ministry claimed that proposed ratification of the protocol would place Pakistan in a better position to access international market for sale of its genetically modified products like BT cotton, bio-fertiliser, virus free seed, potato, etc that have been field tested in Pakistan. Besides assistance from the United National Environment Programme (UNEP), Global Environment Facility (GEF) would become available for capacity building.
Environment had proposed that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Minfal) be designated as Competent National Authority (CNA) for performing administrative functions, while the Ministry of Environment may be designated as National Focal Point (NFP) responsible for liaison with the secretariat of the protocol.
The sources said that the cabinet debated on the relevance of Ministry of Science and Technology, vis-à-vis Ministry of Food, Agriculture/ Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, and concluded that the Minfal was more relevant and better equipped to act as Competent National Authority (CNA).
The protocol is linked with food, plants and seeds and, therefore, the Minfal was supposed to be the most appropriate ministry. The Environment Ministry's apprehension that the protocol might put restrictions on Pakistan's exports was unfounded. It was clarified that the protocol was WTO compatible.
It was also apprised that an elaborate control regime would be developed and put in place once the protocol was ratified. The query regarding the United Nations' ratification of the protocol was replied in negative, but it was clarified that it would not affect Pakistan's export. The ministry also explained that delay in developing the proposal was caused by the lengthy process of consultations with a wide range of stakeholders.
