What is the National Biosafety Committee (NBC)?
- The NBC, a committee of the National Commission on Science and Technology has the responsibility of monitoring the safe use and handling of LMOs and providing advice on the potential impact of releases of LMOs on human health and the environment. The terms of reference are as follows:
- To establish and review as necessary, guidelines for physical and biological containment and control procedure appropriate to the level of assessed risk involved in relevant research development and application activities;
- To review relevant proposals and make recommendations regarding whether activities may proceed;
- To consult with relevant government agencies and other organizations as necessary;
- To advise on personal training with regard to safety procedures as necessary;
- To establish contact and maintain liaison with other monitoring bodies in other countries, and with international organizations, as appropriate, and to participate in activities relating to the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety;
- To report to the responsible government authorities any breaches of guidelines and other relevant matters;
- To collect and disseminate relevant information and to develop a mechanism for continuous public education on biosafety;
- To create a database of experiences in the release of LMOs in the country;
- To collect information on national infrastructure to facilitate LMO testing and to provide necessary recommendations; and
- To collaborate national activities on existing biosafety/food safety committees
- The NBC of Jamaica is legislated through the Plants (Importation) Control Regulations 1997, under the Plants (Quarantine) Act. The Regulations which deal only with importation of LMOs (for experimental use only) state that:
- Section 11 1. “A person who wishes to import a plant, seed, cutting or slip into the island shall apply to the National Biosafety Committee for permission to do so and thereafter upon its approval such application shall be submitted by the Committee to the Plant Quarantine Division of the Ministry responsible for agriculture for the grant of a permit”
- 2. “The National Biosafety Committee shall, in determining whether to grant approval of the application, consider the applicant’s ability to enforce adequate procedure and safeguards to ensure that no contamination by or release of the plant, seed, cutting or slip which is detrimental to the health or safety of any human, animal or living organisms will occur at the port of entry or otherwise in the island”
What is the National Biosafety Committee (NBC)?
- The NBC, a committee of the National Commission on Science and Technology has the responsibility of monitoring the safe use and handling of LMOs and providing advice on the potential impact of releases of LMOs on human health and the environment. The terms of reference are as follows:
- To establish and review as necessary, guidelines for physical and biological containment and control procedure appropriate to the level of assessed risk involved in relevant research development and application activities;
- To review relevant proposals and make recommendations regarding whether activities may proceed;
- To consult with relevant government agencies and other organizations as necessary;
- To advise on personal training with regard to safety procedures as necessary;
- To establish contact and maintain liaison with other monitoring bodies in other countries, and with international organizations, as appropriate, and to participate in activities relating to the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety;
- To report to the responsible government authorities any breaches of guidelines and other relevant matters;
- To collect and disseminate relevant information and to develop a mechanism for continuous public education on biosafety;
- To create a database of experiences in the release of LMOs in the country;
- To collect information on national infrastructure to facilitate LMO testing and to provide necessary recommendations; and
- To collaborate national activities on existing biosafety/food safety committees
- The NBC of Jamaica is legislated through the Plants (Importation) Control Regulations 1997, under the Plants (Quarantine) Act. The Regulations which deal only with importation of LMOs (for experimental use only) state that:
- Section 11 1. “A person who wishes to import a plant, seed, cutting or slip into the island shall apply to the National Biosafety Committee for permission to do so and thereafter upon its approval such application shall be submitted by the Committee to the Plant Quarantine Division of the Ministry responsible for agriculture for the grant of a permit”
- 2. “The National Biosafety Committee shall, in determining whether to grant approval of the application, consider the applicant’s ability to enforce adequate procedure and safeguards to ensure that no contamination by or release of the plant, seed, cutting or slip which is detrimental to the health or safety of any human, animal or living organisms will occur at the port of entry or otherwise in the island”