Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing

Researchers at Lancaster University have a legal obligation to comply with this agreement.

Each country has rights over the genetic resources that exist within their country such as animals, plants and organisms as well as the associated traditional knowledge. The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) is an international agreement establishing a legal framework to govern access to genetic material including the associated traditional knowledge, and ensure that benefits arising from the use of these resources are shared fairly.

Researchers who source or use such material are required to 'exercise diligence' to ensure that genetic resources and traditional knowledge associated with those resources have been accessed in accordance with applicable access and benefit sharing laws implemented by the source country.

Definitions:

‘Genetic resources in this context include any material of plant, animal, microbial or other origin containing functional units of heredity which is of actual or potential value, or derivatives.’

‘Traditional knowledge refers to knowledge, know-how and practice of indigenous and local communities relevant for the utilisation of the genetic resources accessed under the protocol.’

It does not apply to:

accordion