RA&RM of Living Modified Crops Resistant or Tolerant to Abiotic Stress

Dear Forum participant,

The Discussion Group on “Risk Assessment and Risk Management of Living Modified Crops Resistant or Tolerant to Abiotic Stress” is now open for discussions at http://bch.cbd.int/onlineconferences/abstress_ra.shtml . The objective of this discussion is to provide input to the AHTEG Sub-working Group (SWG) for the preparation of a guidance document on this topic.

An introduction to the work of the SWG as well as guiding questions and suggested reading materials are also available to assist in the discussions. The guiding questions are also copied below for ease of reference.

You may reply to this posting or create a new “thread” of discussion by email following the appropriate link below, or directly from the online Forum in the link above. In order to post your contribution through the online Forum, you must be signed-in to the BCH.

Your contribution is very important. We are looking forward to your views on this topic.

If you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at: riskassessment.forum@cbd.int .

Thank you and best regards,
Manoela

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** Guiding questions **

The following questions were prepared to assist in the discussions on this topic:

· Which points should be considered when characterizing an LMO with increased resistance to an abiotic stress (e.g. salinity or drought), particularly in relation to the phenotypic characterization in the receiving environment?

· Which questions should be asked during the problem formulation step of the risk assessment of a living modified crop with resistance to an abiotic stress (e.g. salinity or drought)?


· Based on the current state of knowledge, which potential hazards deserve particular attention when performing a risk assessment of a living modified crop resistant or tolerant to an abiotic stress?

· Are there other points to consider during the risk assessment process of a living modified crop with resistance to an abiotic stress that differ from those of crops which introduced traits do not change their response to abiotic stresses?

· Which risk management measures may be of particular relevance to living modified crops resistant to an abiotic stress (e.g. salinity or drought)?

Dear All participants:

While we could not make tight communications within SWG, I would like to add some points in the guiding questions.

1. What are aboitic stress tolerances, drought tolerance, salt tolerance, freezing tolerance?
2. What are the intended uses, such as environmental remediation etc?
3. Where are they used in a specific environment, such as a dried land with low water availability to main vegetation?
4. By looking in the ANNEX III of the Protocol on risk assessments, are there any specific needs on components in making risk assessment on abiotic stress tolerance?
5. If yes, what are elements and specific process for additional consideration?
6. Is there any specific consideration on risk management with the risk assessment information?


Hoping that the aboves will assist your consideration.

Kind regards,

Kazuo Watanabe