Maarg Manthan · Topic 18.19

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Environment & Ecology › International Environmental Governance and Conventions · Topic 18.19

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an international agreement that aims to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology, which may have adverse effects on biodiversity and human health. It was adopted on 29 January 2000 in Montreal, after talks in Cartagena, Colombia in 1999 had ended without agreement, and entered into force on 11 September 2003. The Protocol has about 173 parties; the United States, Canada and Argentina, major GM crop producers, are not among them. It uses the Advance Informed Agreement (AIA) procedure: before the first transboundary movement of an LMO intended for intentional introduction into the environment, such as seeds for planting, the exporter must notify the importing country, which decides whether to allow it after a risk assessment. LMOs for food, feed or processing are covered by a simpler procedure, with information shared through the Biosafety Clearing-House. The Protocol is based on the precautionary approach, requires labelling or documentation when LMOs are shipped, and has rules on risk assessment and capacity building. The Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress (2010) came into force in March 2018. India ratified the Cartagena Protocol in 2003 and regulates GM organisms through the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and rules of 1989, with the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).

5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Environment & Ecology · International Environmental Governance and Conventions

At a Glance

Adopted 29 January 2000
In force 11 September 2003
Subject Living modified organisms
Key procedure Advance Informed Agreement
India regulator GEAC
Exam link UPSC Prelims, Environment & Ecology: International Environmental Governance and Conventions

Where Does It Fit?

This topic follows the CBD and covers the first of its two protocols, which links with the earlier topic on GM crops and Indian biosafety rules. Previous topic: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Next topic: Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing.

What Does the Cartagena Protocol Require?

Feature	Details
Purpose	Protect biodiversity and human health from risks of LMOs from modern biotechnology
Adopted and force	Adopted 29 January 2000 in Montreal; in force 11 September 2003
Advance Informed Agreement	Exporters must notify importing country and obtain consent before the first transboundary movement of LMOs for intentional release, such as seeds
LMOs for food, feed, processing	Simplified procedure: parties inform others through the Biosafety Clearing-House
Risk assessment	Decisions based on scientific risk assessment, with the precautionary approach
Handling and labelling	Shipments must be identified as containing LMOs
Biosafety Clearing-House	Online mechanism to share information on LMOs and national laws

What About Liability and India?

Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol: 2010; in force 5 March 2018; sets rules on liability and redress for damage from LMOs
Precautionary approach: countries can refuse LMOs even without full scientific certainty
Socio-economic considerations: Article 26 allows taking these into account
India: ratified in 2003; regulates under the EPA 1986 and the 1989 Rules
GEAC: Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee approves GM organisms for environmental release
Other bodies: Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation and Institutional Biosafety Committees
GM crops in India: only Bt cotton is commercially approved
Controversies: GM mustard and Bt brinjal debates

What Else Should You Remember?

LMO: living modified organism that has a novel combination of genetic material through modern biotechnology
GMO: genetically modified organism; used loosely like LMO
Cartagena: Colombian city where 1999 talks stalled
Montreal 2000: the Protocol was adopted at a resumed session
Miami Group: countries such as the US, Canada and Argentina that opposed strict rules
Biosafety: safety measures against risks of biotechnology
Biosafety Clearing-House: central information exchange
Parties: about 173 including India and the EU
Non-parties: United States, Canada, Argentina, Australia and others
COP-MOP: the CBD COP serves as the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol
Liability: the supplementary protocol allows administrative approach and civil liability rules
India’s rules: Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms, Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells, 1989
Competent authorities: MoEFCC, Department of Biotechnology and others
Biosafety guidelines: DBT issued guidelines for GM plants
GEAC approvals: field trials need permission
Bt cotton: approved in 2002
Bt brinjal: approved by GEAC in 2009 but put under moratorium in 2010
GM mustard: GEAC approved environmental release in 2022; Supreme Court gave a split verdict in 2024
Food safety: FSSAI regulates GM food under a 2022 regulation
Public concern: about health and ecological risk and seed sovereignty
Link to previous: see Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Link to next: see Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing
Link to GM crops: see Impact of Agriculture on Climate: Carbon Dioxide Emissions, Monoculture, Chemical Fertilizers, Livestock, Pesticides, GM Crops
Caution: party numbers and national approvals change, so check the Biosafety Clearing-House
Exam hint: remember LMO, AIA, 2000 and 2003 dates and GEAC
Capacity building: the Protocol supports training and technology transfer so developing countries can assess risks of LMOs
Public awareness and participation: parties must consult the public in decisions on LMOs and promote awareness
Unintentional movements: parties must notify affected states when an LMO is released accidentally across borders
Illegal transboundary movement: parties may ask for the LMO to be returned or destroyed
Detection: labs and tests identify LMOs in seeds and food shipments
Trade tension: the Protocol is supposed to be supportive of, and not subordinate to, trade agreements such as the WTO rules
Risk assessment standards: assessments must be scientifically sound and transparent, using recognised techniques

Why Does It Matter for the Exam?

Subject: LMOs
Procedure: AIA
Dates: 2000, 2003
Current affairs link: GM mustard
Common errors: confusing Cartagena with Nagoya

As an analytical point, the Cartagena Protocol gives importing countries the right to say no to LMOs on precautionary grounds, which balances trade with safety. The main debates are about how much evidence is needed and who pays when harm occurs.

Why Is This Topic Important?

Risk LMOs
Tool AIA
Principle Precaution

What Came Next?

The next topic covers the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing. Next topic: Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing.

Key People and Terms

LMO Living modified organism
AIA Advance Informed Agreement
BCH Biosafety Clearing-House
GEAC Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee
COP-MOP Meeting of the Parties
Precaution Prevent despite uncertainty

Exam Corner

Points to Remember

Adopted 29 January 2000.
In force 11 September 2003.
Covers LMOs.
Procedure: AIA.
India’s regulator: GEAC.

Do Not Confuse With

Cartagena and Nagoya Biosafety versus benefit sharing
LMO and GMO Treaty term versus common term
AIA and simplified procedure Seeds for planting versus food, feed, processing

Memory Hook

Biosafety in 2000, AIA decides on seed, clearing-house shares the facts.

Mains Angle

Questions ask for the purpose and procedure. These points help.

Aim Safety
Procedure AIA
India GEAC

A Question You May Face

An original practice question, not a past paper question.

“Explain the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the regulation of genetically modified organisms in India.”

How to Answer

Aim Biosafety.
AIA Procedure.
Liability Supplement.
India GEAC.

GS Relevance

Prelims: LMOs, AIA, dates, India's regulator. GS Paper 3: biosafety and GM crops.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety?

The Cartagena Protocol is an international agreement under the Convention on Biological Diversity, adopted on 29 January 2000 and in force since 11 September 2003. It regulates the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms from modern biotechnology to protect biodiversity and human health, using the precautionary approach and an Advance Informed Agreement procedure.

What is Advance Informed Agreement?

Advance Informed Agreement is the procedure under the Cartagena Protocol for the first transboundary movement of LMOs intended for release into the environment, such as seeds. The exporter must notify the importing country, which assesses the risk and decides whether to approve the import. Different, simpler procedures apply to LMOs used as food, feed or for processing.

What is the Biosafety Clearing-House?

The Biosafety Clearing-House is an online mechanism set up by the Cartagena Protocol to help parties share information on living modified organisms, national biosafety laws, risk assessments and decisions. It supports countries, especially developing ones, in making informed decisions on imports and in building their biosafety capacity.

What is the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol?

It is a protocol adopted in 2010 and in force since 5 March 2018 that sets rules on liability and redress for damage to biodiversity resulting from transboundary movements of living modified organisms. It lets parties apply administrative or civil liability approaches, and requires response measures to restore damaged biodiversity.

Who regulates GM organisms in India?

GM organisms in India are regulated under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the 1989 Rules, mainly by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee under the Environment Ministry, which approves large-scale use and environmental release, with the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation and the Department of Biotechnology. Only Bt cotton is commercially approved so far.

PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis

1 The Cartagena Protocol deals with living modified organisms.

True

And biosafety.

2 It was adopted in 2010.

False

In 2000.

3 India's GM regulator is GEAC.