National Framework Project
On June 4 2001 Jamaica signed the Cartagena Protocol Biosafety to the
Convention on Biological Diversity. Jamaica was one of the 103
countries that signalled their intention to become a Party to the
Protocol thereby being bound by its provisions. Jamaica has not yet
ratified the Protocol.
Jamaica is one of the countries that received
assistance in the preparation of its National Biosafety Framework from
the UNEP/GEF Global Project “Development of National Biosafety Frameworks” . The main objective of this National Project was
the preparation of a National Biosafety Framework in accordance with the
relevant provisions of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The project
started in November 2002 and is scheduled for 18 months through to April
2004.
The main elements of this Framework are:
· A regulatory/legislative system
· An administrative system
· A decision making system that includes risk assessment and management
· Mechanisms for public participation and information
Some of the major activities of the National Biosafety Framework Project
included information gathering, analysis, consultation and training.
The Administrative Structure of the Project
There are three components of the administrative structure of the
National Biosafety Project. These include the:
· The National Executing Agency, National Environment & Planning Agency (NEPA) which was
responsible for the successful completion of the project.
· The National Coordinating Committee (NCC),
which was comprised of 22 members that represented various governmental
agencies, and institutions with mandates relevant to the Cartagena
Protocol on Biosafety, as well as private and NGO organizations.
The NCC is expected to provide overall policy advice and guide the
preparation of the National Biosafety Framework.
· The National Project Coordinator (NPC)
coordinated, managed and supervised all aspects of the Project.
Jamaica requires additional legislation, as well as strengthened
capacity in areas such as risk assessment and risk management if it is
to fulfill its obligations under the Cartagena Protocol. The regulatory
functions of some governmental agencies should be clearly defined.
National Framework Project
On June 4 2001 Jamaica signed the Cartagena Protocol Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Jamaica was one of the 103 countries that signalled their intention to become a Party to the Protocol thereby being bound by its provisions. Jamaica has not yet ratified the Protocol.
Jamaica is one of the countries that received assistance in the preparation of its National Biosafety Framework from the UNEP/GEF Global Project “Development of National Biosafety Frameworks” . The main objective of this National Project was the preparation of a National Biosafety Framework in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The project started in November 2002 and is scheduled for 18 months through to April 2004.
The main elements of this Framework are:
· A regulatory/legislative system
· An administrative system
· A decision making system that includes risk assessment and management
· Mechanisms for public participation and information
Some of the major activities of the National Biosafety Framework Project included information gathering, analysis, consultation and training.
The Administrative Structure of the Project
There are three components of the administrative structure of the National Biosafety Project. These include the:
· The National Executing Agency, National Environment & Planning Agency (NEPA) which was
responsible for the successful completion of the project.
· The National Coordinating Committee (NCC), which was comprised of 22 members that represented various governmental agencies, and institutions with mandates relevant to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, as well as private and NGO organizations.
The NCC is expected to provide overall policy advice and guide the preparation of the National Biosafety Framework.
· The National Project Coordinator (NPC) coordinated, managed and supervised all aspects of the Project.
Jamaica requires additional legislation, as well as strengthened capacity in areas such as risk assessment and risk management if it is to fulfill its obligations under the Cartagena Protocol. The regulatory functions of some governmental agencies should be clearly defined.