UK Focal Point on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing

Introduction

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. Its purpose is to provide information to assist any individuals or organisations that may wish to access genetic resources in the UK. The site contains the following information:

• Introduction and context
• Legal summary
• How to access genetic resources from particular organisations
• Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories
• Links to related sites
• Latest  Stakeholder Updates - April 2002
• Review of the Experience of Implementation by UK Stakeholders of Access and Benefit Sharing Arrangements under the Convention on Biological Diversity - February 2005

Disclaimer
The contents of these pages are provided for information only. No responsibility is accepted by or on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for any errors, omissions, or misleading statements on these pages or any site to which these pages connect, including any feature or aspect of such site or pages, whether provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, or other Departments of Her Majesty’s Government or by any organisation, company or individual. - No mention of any organisation, company or individual, whether on these pages or other sites to which these pages are linked shall imply any approval or warranty as to the standing and capability of any such organisations, company or individual on the part of the Department.

Acknowledgement: Our thanks go to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew for their contribution to the preparation of this Website and, in particular, to Kerry ten Kate and Alexandra Gonzalez Calatayud who researched and prepared much of the material included.

Additional Information

Additional information is available from the genetic resources for food and agriculture page or by contacting:

National Focal Point on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-Sharing
Defra - Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Science, Economics and Statistics Directorate
Research Policy and International Division
Nobel House, Area 1B
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR, UK.

Telephone: +44 (0) 207 238 1653
Fax: +44 (0) 207 238 1658
E-mail: genetic.resources@defra.gsi.gov.uk

This page last updated 13 June, 2007