An Analysis of the Biosafety Act as A Domestication of the Cartagena Protocol On Biosafety Case Study: Kenya

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Certification ................................................................................................................ i

Declaration ................................................................................................................. i

Dedication .................................................................................................................. ii

Acknowledgements................................................................................................... iii

Table of contents ........................................................................................................ iv

List of international instruments ............................................................................... ix

List of statutes . . .. . . .. . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . ... . .. .. . . . .. .. . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . .. .. . .. x

Case applicable.......................................................................................................... xi

Abbreviations.......................................................................................................... xii

CHAPTER ONE

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

1.1 BACKGROUND.............................................................................................. 1

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM ............................................................... 4

1.3JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY................................................................ 5

1.40BJECTIVES.................................................................................................. 6

1.5HYPOTHESES................................................................................................ 6

1.6RESEARCH QUESTIONS.............................................................................. 7

1.7METHODOLOGY........................................................................................... 7

1.8LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................. 8

1.9CHAPTERBREAKDOWN............................................................................ 12

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CHAPTER TWO

INTERNATIONAL LEGAL INSTRUMENTS DEALING WITH BIOSAFETY

2.1 DEFINITION OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY .................................................. 13

2.1.1 The value and loss of biological diversity .............................................. 14

2.2 DEFINITION AND SCOPE OF MODERN BIOTECHNOLOGY .................... 15

2.2.1 Benefits of modern biotechnology ......................................................... 16

2.2.2 Adverse effects of modern biotechnology .............................................. 17

2.2.2.1 Environmental Concerns .......................................................... 18

2.2.2.2 Health (Food) Concerns ........................................................... 18

2.2.2.3 Economic Concerns................................................................. 19

2.2.2.4 Social Concerns....................................................................... 19

2.3 BIOSAFETY ....................................................................................................... 19

2.4 THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY .................................... 20

2.5 THE CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY....................................... 22

2.6 THE CODEX ALIMENT ARIUS....................................................................... 26

2.7 THE INTERNATIONALPLANT PROTECTION CONVENTION........................ 29

2.8 THE TRADE RELATED ASPECTS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

RIGHfS ...................................................................................................... 30

2.9 THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF NEW

VARIETIES OF PLANTS.................................................................................................. 33

2.10 THE INTERNATIONAL TREATY ON PLANT AND GENETIC

RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ..................................................... 35

2.11 THE OFFICE INTERNATIONAL DES EPIZOOTIES........................................... 37

2.12 CONCLUSION........................................................................................................... 38

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CHAPTER THREE

LAWS RELATING TO BIOSAFETY IN KENYA .............................................. 40

3.1 THE CONCEPT OF DOMESTICATION OF TREATY LAW .......................... 40

3.1.1 The domestication process ..................................................................... .43

3.2 LAWS REGULATING BIOSAFETY ................................................................. 44

3.2.1 The Constitution ofKenya ..................................................................... 45

3.2.2 The Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act ..................... 4 6

3.2.3 The Wildlife (Conservation and Management) Act .............................. 48

3.2.4 The Forests Act. ..................................................................................... 49

3.2.5 The Crop Production and Livestock Act ................................................ 50

3.2.6 The Industrial Property Act.. ................................................................. 51

3.2.7 The Seeds and Plant Varieties Act ......................................................... 52

3.2.8 The Science and Technology Act ......................................................... 53

3.2.8.1 Science and Technology Institution ......................................... 56

3.2.8.1.1 The Kenya Medical Research Institute ..................... 56

3.2.8.1.2 Kenya Agricultural Research Institute ....................... 56

3.2.8.1.3 Department of Veterinary Services ............................ 56

3.2.9 The Agricultural produce (Export) Act .................................................. 57

3.2.10 The Suppression ofNoxious Weeds Act .............................................. 58

3.2.11 The Plant Protection Act ....................................................................... 58

3.2.11.1 Phytosanitary Measures .......................................................... 58

3.2.12 The Standards Act. ................................................................................ 60

3.3 THE BIOSAFETY ACT ....................................................................................... 61

3.4 CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................... 62

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CHAPTER FOUR

ANALYSING THE BIOSAFETY ACT IN LIGHT OF THE CARTAGENA

PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY ............................................................................. 65

4.1 ANALYSIS OF THE SPECIFIC SECTIONS .................................................... 66

4.1.1 Part I- preliminary provisions ................................................................ 66

4.1.2 Part II-Administrative provisions .......................................................... 70

4 .1.3 Part III- Handling requests for approvals ............................................... 72

4.1.4 Part IV- Reviews and Appeals ................................................................ 79

4.1.5 Part V- Miscellaneous Provisions ........................................................... 80

4.2 VITAL PROVISIONS OF THE CARTAGENA PROTOCOL MITTED

FROM THE ACT ...................................................................................................... 82

4.2.1 Art. 11 Procedure for Living Modified Organism intended for

direct use as food, feed or for processing. . ..... .. ...... .. .......... .... ....... ..... 82

4.2.2 Art. 18- Handling, transport, packaging and identification .................. 83

4.3 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................... 84

CHAPTER FIVE

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BIOSAFETY ACT.......................................... 88

5.1 CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING THE BIOSAFETY ACT ..................... 88

5.1. Limited access to relevant information................................................... 88

5 .1.2 Liability and redress .............................................................................. 8 9

5.1.3 Large volumes of goods ........................................................................ 89

5.1.4 Capacity Building .................................................................................. 90

5.1.4.1 Limited Experts ....................................................................... 90

5.1.4.2 Dissemination of information .................................................. 90

5.1.4.3 Intellectual Property Rights ..................................................... 91

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5.2 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF

TliE BIOSAFETY ACT ........................................................................................... 91

5.2.1 Capacity building ................................................................................... 91

5.2.2 Political Will. ......................................................................................... 92

5.2.3 Regional Biosafety Standard .................................................................. 92

5.2.4 Public knowledge and participation ....................................................... 93

5.2.5 Transparency .......................................................................................... 93

5.2.6 Accountability ....................................................................................... 94

5.2.7Institutional, Intergovernmental and Nongovernmental support

and assistance ................................................................. 94

5.2.8 Creation and use of institutional and legal frameworks ......................... 95

5.3 CONCLUSON ...................................................................................................... 95

BIBLIOGRAPHY ....................................................................................................... 97