Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity

International agreement supplementary to the Convention on Biological Diversity that seeks to ensure an adequate level of protection in the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health, with a focus on transboundary movements and in accordance with the precautionary approach. It establishes an advance informed agreement procedure for imports of LMOs intended for introduction into the environment and a specific procedure for LMOs intended for direct use as food or feed, or for processing. It also includes provisions on risk assessment and management, handling, transport, packaging and identification of LMOs, the Biosafety Clearing-House, capacity-building, public participation and consideration of socio-economic effects, particularly for indigenous and local communities.