Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Biosphere - WBGU

340 I Global biosphere policy
jects. The GTI would also have to be linked to existing
information networks, in particular the Clearing
House Mechanism.
I 3.2.7
Alien species
The phenomenon of the spread of alien species has
been addressed many times by the Council (WBGU,
2000a; Section E 3.6). Particular attention has been
drawn in that context to the need for an analysis of
ecological risk from the planned introduction of alien
species. The Council also recommended the introduction
of international regulations pertaining to the
release of organisms not only for the purposes of biological
control, but also for food production.
For agriculture and forestry there are already
clear parameters. A comprehensive risk analysis for
all potential ‘newcomers’ is not possible, but for
instance most innovations today in the classic area of
pest control in which the introduction of new alien
species plays a role call for a risk analysis to be carried
out (WBGU, 2000a). Furthermore, the FAO has
developed a code of conduct for the import and
release of exotic organisms that serves as a guideline
for governments, exporters and importers and should
contribute towards risk minimization (WBGU,
2000a). In the Council’s view it is necessary to harmonize
existing regulations governing the introduction
of alien species and to expand them to include
the areas of application mentioned above (Section E
3.6).The deficits in preventive risk analysis should be
reduced using models and scenarios. Central to this
in the Council’s view should be the precautionary
principle, or specifically, the avoidance of introducing
alien species. In detail, the Council recommends:
• Harmonization of relevant terms and provisions:
In order to ensure that the terms used in national
legislation in connection with the introduction of
alien species are consistent, it is necessary to
establish clear definitions and content of terminology.
Furthermore, the provisions in connection
with the introduction of alien species and genetically
modified species should be harmonized,
since numerous issues are similar in the two cases.
• Institutional responsibilities and scope for checking
regulations on intentional release: There is already
in many countries an obligation to obtain approval
for the introduction of alien organisms; deficits
prevail in many countries with regard to the extent
to which existing regulations and possible sanctions
can be checked for violations. The precautionary
principle should be the basis on which the
release of alien species is carried out. Therefore,
prior to any intentional release, environmental
impact assessments must be carried out. These
must also apply to releases in the context of agriculture
and forestry.As a matter of principle, those
responsible for the introduction of alien species
should be liable for potential follow-on damage.
The responsibilities of international institutions
and national agencies for prevention and management
in cases of emergency must be clarified.
• Prevention of unintended introduction: Unintended
introduction should be prevented by border
and seed controls, logistical measures such as
shorter waiting times in container traffic, but also
awareness-raising in the population and important
target groups (tourists, hunters, fishermen,
aquarists, foresters, farmers, garden owners, etc).
Already today, various approaches relating to the
analysis of introductions in various areas for similarities
and differences can be employed for the
purpose of early warning and prevention. These
approaches should be developed further in the
direction of an early warning system.
I 3.2.8
Terminator technology
‘Terminator technologies’ are new developments in
plant breeding using bioengineering procedures in
which the ability of plant genetic resources to germinate
is restricted or prevented altogether.The seed of
these new varieties when sold is not affected, but the
harvested plant is incapable of reproduction.The use
of the harvested material for replanting is thus rendered
impossible and so the seed has to be bought
anew each time. The first patented Technology Protection
System from the company Delta & Pine
Lands is an application of this technology. Other
applications produce limitations to the natural resistance
of plants (eg Novartis’ patent on ‘systematic
acquired resistance genes’).The fears that cultivation
of these new varieties could lead to an impairment of
biological diversity have so far not been sufficiently
grounded in scientific studies. However, these technologies
became an issue of contention during the
COP-4 as a risk to nature and society that is difficult
to quantify.The dependence on the use of terminator
technologies and the increasing control of plant production
by influential seed companies raises at the
very least socio-economic problems.The Council recommends
research on the ecological and socio-economic
impact of terminator technologies in order to
allow for a scientifically based treatment of the topic.