XVI International Botanical Congess
Few governments have yet been able to establish or revise national access legislation to meet the aspirations of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Until clear laws and guidelines are in place, Botanic Garden germplasm collectors committed to implementing the CBD may be faced with a number of practical problems: 1)Difficulty of identifying correct government authority and other stakeholders whose prior informed consent is needed. 2) Scientific collecting authorisations may continue to be issued by designated Authorities, without adequate reference to the transfer and subsequent utilisation of genetic resources. 3) Widely differing capabilities of stakeholders to contribute to the prior informed consent process and to negotiate formal agreements. 4) Delays caused by the above uncertainties.