Socio-economic Considerations in GMO Decision-Making: International Agreements in Context

About the Book

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety establishes the right of Parties to take socio-economic considerations into account when deciding on imports or domestic measures relating to genetically modified organisms (GMOs). While the specifics of putting this into practice have not been fleshed out in the Protocol, it does require Parties to exercise the right in a manner “consistent with their international obligations”.

The discussion papers compiled in this book look at how Parties to the Protocol can incorporate socio-economic considerations in GMO decision-making while remaining faithful to their obligations under other international agreements. These agreements can include not only trade treaties but also those that deal with human rights, indigenous peoples’ rights, food and agriculture, and the environment. Addressing these issues will be key to ensuring proper and consistent treatment of socio-economic considerations surrounding the impact of GMOs on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
 

Contents

Introduction

Socio-economic considerations related to LMOs: From the Convention on Biological Diversity to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
Ossama A. El-kawy and Georgina Catacora-Vargas

The relevance of socio-economic impact assessments in the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Juan Lopez Villar

Relevant international law obligations that include socio-economic considerations, in the context of Article 26.1 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
Juan Lopez Villar

Analysis of WTO provisions and case law relevant to the application of socio-economic considerations, in the context of Article 26.1 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
Juan Lopez Villar

Codex Alimentarius Commission, OIE and IPPC: Can the WTO “three sisters” accommodate socio-economic considerations within their standard-setting work?
Juan Lopez Villar