Honorable Chair and fellow delegates,

The United Kingdom is a signatory to the Convention on Biological

Diversity and is committed to the safe handling, transport, and use of
living modified organisms (LMOs) as outlined in the Cartagena
Protocol on Biosafety. This protocol, adopted in January 2000, aims
to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by LMOs
resulting from modern biotechnology.

The UK has taken several actions to implement the provisions of the

Cartagena Protocol. In January 2000, the Cartagena Protocol on
Biosafety was adopted to supplement the provisions of the
Convention. This Agreement, which came into force in September
2003, aims to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of living
modified organisms (LMOs), resulting from modern biotechnology,
that may have adverse effects on biological diversity, taking also into
account risks to human health1.

The UK remains committed to working with other nations to ensure

the safe and responsible use of LMOs and to protect global
biodiversity. We urge all nations to join us in this endeavour.

Thank you.