UK Focal Point on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing

Introduction and context

Following an intergovernmental decision taken under the auspices of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the UK, in common with the other 188 Parties to the treaty, is requested to “establish a national focal point and one or more competent national authorities , as appropriate, to be responsible for access and benefit-sharing arrangements or to provide information on such arrangements within its jurisdiction”.

This Website provides information on access to genetic resources in the UK. Any additional information can be obtained by contacting:

National Focal Point on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-Sharing
Defra - Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Wildlife Habitats & Biodiversity Division
Nobel House, Area 3B
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR, UK.

Telephone: +44 (0) 207 238 6813
Fax: +44 (0) 207 238 3120
E-mail: julian.jackson@defra.gsi.gov.uk

• What is the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)?
• About focal points on access and benefit-sharing
• Access to genetic resources
•  
  • What is meant by ‘access’?
  • What is meant by ‘genetic resources’?
  • What obligations does the CBD introduce on access and benefit-sharing?
  • Summary of provisions in the CBD on access to genetic resources, on the knowledge, practices and innovations of local and indigenous communities, and on benefit-sharing
• Benefit-sharing
•  
  • What is meant by ‘benefit-sharing’?
  • With whom should benefits be shared?
  • How are benefits shared?
• How are countries implementing the provisions of the CBD on access and benefit-sharing?
• Why is the CBD and access to genetic resources relevant to me?

The entire Introduction and Context is also available as ether a PDF or Plain Text document