Handling, transport, packaging and identification of living modified organisms: paragraph 3 of Article 18

The Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety,

Recalling paragraph 3 of Article 18 of the Protocol on the consideration of the need for and modalities of developing standards with regard to identification, handling, packaging and transport practices for transboundary movements of living modified organisms,

Noting paragraph 2 of Article 18 provides for rules and standards regarding identification of living modified organisms,

Recognizing , in light of the complexity of existing rules and standards, and the relevant work of various international bodies, that there is a need for further consultations regarding consideration of the need for and modalities of developing standards with regard to identification, handling, packaging and transport practices, with a view to creating synergies and avoiding duplication of efforts,

1. Invites Parties, other Governments and relevant international organizations to submit, no later than six months prior to the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol, views and information on: (i) the adequacy of existing rules and standards for identification, handling, packaging and transport of goods and substances to address concerns relating to living modified organisms that are subject to transboundary movement, and (ii) on gaps that may exist that may justify a need to develop new rules and standards, or to call upon relevant international bodies to modify or expand their existing rules and standards, as appropriate;

2. Requests the Executive Secretary to prepare a synthesis of the views and information referred to in paragraph 1 above for consideration at the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol;

3. Further r equests the Executive Secretary to continue collaborating with relevant international bodies and to gather information on existing rules and standards with a view to making available the information, including on the experiences of relevant international bodies in the establishment and implementation of rules and standards relevant to Article 18, at the fourth and fifth meetings of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol.