Why this matters now
Cartagena Protocol is tested for: CBD Article 19 implementation; trans-boundary movement of LMOs/GMOs (genetically engineered organisms); Advance Informed Agreement (AIA); Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH); precautionary approach; India’s Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) implements; Bt cotton 2002 + Bt brinjal 2010 moratorium + GM mustard DMH-11 (2017+2022); USA not party (CBD signed not ratified).
Background
- 1992: CBD Article 19(3) called for a Protocol on Biosafety.
- 1996-2000: Open-ended Ad-hoc Working Group on Biosafety negotiations.
- Feb 1999 Cartagena de Indias (Colombia): 1st Extraordinary Meeting of CBD COP-MOP failed.
- 29 Jan 2000 Montreal: 2nd Extraordinary Meeting adopted final text; named after the original Colombian venue.
- 11 Sept 2003: Entered into force.
Core Mechanism: AIA Procedure
Advance Informed Agreement (AIA) procedure applies to first intentional transboundary movement of LMOs intended for introduction into environment (i.e. seeds for planting, fish for release):
- Exporter must notify importing country in advance + provide info about LMO + intended use + potential risks.
- Importing country has 270 days to respond (approve, reject, request more info).
- If no response, exporter cannot proceed (default precautionary).
- Importing country may use precautionary approach even with scientific uncertainty.
NOT subject to AIA: LMOs for direct use as food, feed or processing (LMO-FFP); LMOs in transit; LMOs destined for contained use. These have lighter procedures.
India + Biosafety Regulation
India ratified Cartagena on 17 January 2003. National implementation through:
- Environment (Protection) Act 1986 — basis for biosafety regulation.
- Rules for Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms / Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells (Rules 1989) — 6-tier regulation.
- Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) under Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change — apex regulator for GMO release.
- Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) under DBT (Department of Biotechnology) — research-stage clearance.
- State Biosafety Coordination Committees (SBCC).
- District Level Committees (DLC).
GM crops in India:
- Bt Cotton (Mahyco-Monsanto BG-I 2002, BG-II 2006): only GM crop approved for commercial cultivation; covers ~94% of cotton area.
- Bt Brinjal 2010 GEAC approved → Govt moratorium (Jairam Ramesh Environment Minister) Feb 2010.
- GM Mustard DMH-11 GEAC approved 25 Oct 2022 — first GM food crop. SC stayed commercial cultivation; matter ongoing.
UPSC angle
Know CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY adopted 29 JANUARY 2000 Montreal at 2nd Extraordinary Meeting (named after original 1999 Cartagena de Indias Colombia venue failed); IN FORCE 11 SEPT 2003; 173 PARTIES USA NOT; operationalises CBD ARTICLE 19; governs trans-boundary movement of LIVING MODIFIED ORGANISMS (LMOs/GMOs); INDIA RATIFIED 17 JAN 2003; ADVANCE INFORMED AGREEMENT (AIA) PROCEDURE applies to 1st intentional transboundary movement LMOs FOR INTRODUCTION INTO ENVIRONMENT (seeds for planting, fish for release): exporter notifies importing country with info+intended use+risks, importing country 270 DAYS TO RESPOND (approve/reject/more info), default no-response = NO PROCEED (precautionary), importing country may use PRECAUTIONARY APPROACH even scientific uncertainty; NOT AIA: LMO-FFP food-feed-processing, LMOs transit, contained use (lighter procedures); BIOSAFETY CLEARING-HOUSE (BCH) info exchange platform; INDIA implementation: Environment Protection Act 1986 + Rules 1989 (6-tier regulation Hazardous Microorganisms/GE Organisms/Cells); GENETIC ENGINEERING APPRAISAL COMMITTEE (GEAC) Min Env Forest Climate Change apex regulator GMO release; REVIEW COMMITTEE ON GENETIC MANIPULATION (RCGM) under DBT research-stage clearance; State Biosafety Coordination Committees (SBCC); District Level Committees (DLC); GM CROPS INDIA: BT COTTON Mahyco-Monsanto BG-I 2002 + BG-II 2006 only GM commercial ~94% cotton area; BT BRINJAL 2010 GEAC approved → MORATORIUM Jairam Ramesh Env Min Feb 2010; GM MUSTARD DMH-11 GEAC approved 25 Oct 2022 1st GM food crop SC stayed commercial.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Cartagena Protocol?
A protocol under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), adopted 29 January 2000, in force 11 September 2003 — governing trans-boundary movement of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs/GMOs).
What is the AIA procedure?
Advance Informed Agreement — exporter must notify importing country in advance about LMO intended for environment introduction; importing country has 270 days to respond. If no response, no shipment.
When did India ratify Cartagena?
On 17 January 2003. India implements it via the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 + Rules 1989 + Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
What GM crops are commercial in India?
Only Bt cotton (since 2002) — ~94% of cotton area. Bt brinjal got moratorium 2010; GM mustard DMH-11 GEAC approved Oct 2022 but stayed by Supreme Court.