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This website is designed to guide users through the
area of international treaties, conventions, standards and guidelines
applicable to biotechnology. |
Title: The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). |
Summary of Provisions:The FAO aims "to raise levels of nutrition and standards of living, to improve agricultural productivity and to better the condition of rural populations." (http://www.fao.org/UNFAO/e/wmain-e.htm). One particular area the FAO covers is the control and prevention of plant pests and diseases, for which it created the International Plant Protection Convention (also summarised on this site). The FAO also works to provide food security and has an early warning system to forecast food shortages - the Global Information and Early Warning System. The FAO believes that biotechnology could be very useful in achieving its aims, particularly in increased productivity for enhancing food security. However the FAO also recognises potential risks to humans, animals, the environment and biodiversity from biotechnological applications. (For more information see FAO's Statement on Biotechnology at http://www.fao.org/biotech/stat.asp). Because of the potential risks the FAO suggests all genetically modified organisms (GMOs) be assessed prior to release and monitored afterwards. FAO also believes that for biotechnology to fulfil its potential in agriculture there must be an increase in technical and financial assistance to developing countries. FAO has an important role to play in the dissemination of information on biotechnology, providing a balance to currently polarised debates. (http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/004/Y2729E/y2729e02.htm#bm02). For this purpose it has established a biotechnology inventory and an e-forum for conferences on biotechnology issues. FAO can also play an important advisory role, but makes clear that, "Ultimately each country has the responsibility to formulate its own policies, priorities, strategies and programmes for harnessing the biotechnologies chosen..." (http://www.fao.org/biotech/act.asp). Access to FAO data is facilitated by the World Agricultural Information Centre which can be found at http://www.fao.org/waicent/. FAO's work in the area of biotechnology is mainly overseen by an Inter-departmental
Working Group on Biotechnology (IDWGB) and the FAO's Commission on Plant
Genetic Resources in Food and Agriculture also has an important role and
is developing a Code of Conduct for Biotechnology. Summary of Development:The FAO was set up in 1945 as a specialised agency of the United Nations. It is led by a Conference of Member Nations which meets biannually. (http://www.fao.org/UNFAO/e/wstruc-e.htm). In 1994 the FAO was restructured. Some important developments included increased electronic access, increased links with non governmental organisations (NGOs) and an increased emphasis on food security. The FAO recently revised its International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources, the new version was adopted as the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources (ITPGR) by the FAO Conference in November 2001. (The ITPGR is the subject of another summary on this website). Biotechnology has been recognised as increasingly important in the area
of food and agriculture which may usefully support the FAO's work. There
are various projects taking place under FAO auspices to regulate biotechnology;
to assess its impacts, including ethical ones; to disseminate information;
and to advise on policy. Current Status:The FAO has 191 member states. Food and Agriculture OrganisationRelated Summaries on the Genomics Gateway Site:International Plant Protection Convention Page last updated 26th March 2009. Comments/enquiries to catherine.rhodes-2 'at' manchester.ac.uk
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