COUNCIL DECISION
of 14 April 2014
on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2014/283/EU)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 192(1), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament (1),
Whereas:
(1)
The Union and its Member States joined the consensus of the 193 Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (‘CBD’) (2) that adopted the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity (‘Nagoya Protocol’) on 29 October 2010.
(2)
In accordance with Council Decision of 6 May 2011 (3), the Nagoya Protocol was signed by the Union, subject to its conclusion at a later date. Most Member States have signed the Nagoya Protocol.
(3)
The Union is committed to the swift implementation and ratification of the Nagoya Protocol.
(4)
In accordance with Article 34 of the CBD, any protocol to the CBD is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval by States and by regional economic integration organisations.
(5)
The Union and its Member States should endeavour to deposit simoultaneously, to the extent possible, their instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval of the Nagoya Protocol.
(6)
The Nagoya Protocol should therefore be approved on behalf of the Union,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.
The text of the Nagoya Protocol is attached to this Decision.
Article 2
The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person(s) empowered to deposit, on behalf of the Union, as regards matters falling within the Union’s competence, the instrument of approval provided for in Article 33 of the Nagoya Protocol (4). At the same time, such person(s) shall deposit the declaration set out in the Annex to this Decision, in accordance with Article 34(3) of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Article 3
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
Done at Luxembourg, 14 April 2014.