ABS Elements Elements to Facilitate Domestic Implementation of Access and Benefit-Sharing for Different Subsectors of Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture with Explanatory Notes

Abstract

This document assists governments considering developing, adapting or implementing legislative, administrative or policy measures for access and benefit-sharing (ABS) to take into account the importance of the genetic resources for food and agriculture (GRFA), their special role for food security and the distinctive features of the different subsectors of GRFA, while complying, as applicable, with international ABS instruments. The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity has been hailed as a giant step towards the implementation of the third objective of the Convention: the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. Implementing this third objective is intended to contribute to the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components, the other two objectives of the Convention.