Article 15 - Currently, there are very few restrictions imposed on persons who want to
carry out research on national resources, although some restrictions are in
place for resources covered under the Fisheries Act.
Information on issues relating to intellectual property rights, access to
genetic resources and benefit sharing are outlined in a document titled
"Intellectual Property and Traditional Knowledge Related to Genetic
Resources" which was submitted to the Executive Secretary. Article 16 - A legal framework exists for Intellectual Property Rights, however, there
is no comprehensive system in place to facilitate the protection of
intellectual property right especially as it pertains to biological resources. Article 19 - No access legislation. (Updated March 2001)
Singapore has set-up an ad hoc inter-agency
committee to consider matters pertaining to access to genetic resources and
benefit sharing. A strategy document on access to genetic resources is in preparation.
(Updated December 2000)
Article 15 - Based on the Nature Conservation Act, since 1999 genetic material has
been used in accordance with the regulation concerning the use of natural assets. Article 16 - No access legislation. Article 195 - Slovenia has signed the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and according to
the Government the Protocol should be ratified by the end of 2001. (Updated July 2001)
Article 15 - Existing agreements cover some research work on agriculture
and forestry. Article 16 - No access legislation. Article 19 - Due to its dependency on agriculture and forestry, the Solomon Islands
puts high priority on this article. (Updated May 2001)
Article 15 - A new law on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing has been
prepared to avoid the gaps of current national laws related to access and benefit sharing. The Legal Task Force has
reviewed the existing legislation related to biodiversity and made their
recommendations to avoid bio-piracy while achieving equitable sharing. Article 19 - Technical committees have been set up by Ministry of Forestry and
Environment to formulate a code of ethics for biosafety in biotechnology and
biosafety guidelines. Draft Biosafetyguidelines for Sri Lanka have been developed with the assistance of the
technical committee on biosafety. (Updated May 2001)
Based on the Draft Guidelines and on the experience gained during the
development of the initiative Switzerland is considering the development of
national guidelines for access and benefit sharing. Article 19 - Signed the Biosafety Protocol (Updated February 2001)