CBD AND GENETIC RESOURCE SHARING IN VENEZUELA

UNCLAS CARACAS 000334 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR EAID ECON SENV TBIO VE SUBJECT: CBD AND GENETIC RESOURCE SHARING IN VENEZUELA REF: STATE 269625 ¶1. (U) This telegram is in response to reftel's request for information regarding access and procedures for access to genetic resources in Venezuela. -------------- Laws and National Authority -------------- ¶2. (U) Access to genetic resources is controlled by the Ministry of the Environment and National Resources (MARN) through its National Biodiversity Office. The principal legal framework under which procedures and policies are governed is the National Biodiversity Law (Ley de Diversidad Biologica) of 2000. In addition, as a member of the Andean Community, Venezuela is governed by Andean Community decision 391, which sets out rules and responsibilities for the competent national authority, MARN. There are numerous other laws that relate in some way to the activities of the National Biodiversity office. A full list of these can be found on the Web at ( http://www.marn.gov.ve/marn/default.asp?caso= 11&idart=829 ). -------------- Research Permits -------------- ¶3. (U) Research permits are administered by MARN. In order to obtain a permit, an entity must work in conjunction with a Venezuelan counterpart. The permit application must also be submitted simultaneously to MARN and to the Ministry of Science's National Council for Science, Technology, and Innovation (CONACIT). All scientific and research permits are issued by the Venezuelan Government at the national level. It is important to note that research conducted by foreign government agencies also requires permission of the Office of Economic Development of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ¶4. (U) Research permit applications must include information about: the applicant, the supplier of the genetic and/or biological resources, the Venezuelan point-of-contact (person or institution),the project leader and his/her working group, the nature of the project, and the location where the access to materials will be carried out. A full project proposal must also be included. Regulations stipulate that applications should be evaluated within 30 days, but provisions exist which allow for longer time frames. Visas are processed after permits have been issued. -------------- Movement and Collection of Specimens -------------- ¶5. (U) The collection of samples of plant and or animal specimens in situ requires additional permissions. Animal trapping requires a Hunting for Scientific Purposes License, and plant collection requires a Permit for the Collection of Botanical Samples. Both permits are issued through the Administrative Permit Office of MARN. ¶6. (U) The export of non-CITES specimens requires 2 sets of permissions. An export permit must be obtained from the Administrative Permit Office of MARN, and a sanitary/health permit must be obtained from the Farming and Livestock Safety Service (SASA) of the Ministry of Agriculture. SASA also issues import permits. -------------- Additional Resources And Contacts -------------- ¶7. (U) Key Venezuelan Government biodiversity contacts: The main website for the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources can be found at http://www.marn.gov.ve Dr. Jesus Ramos Oropeza General Director Ministerio del Ambiente y de los Recursos Naturales (MARN) Oficina Nacional de Diversidad Biologica Torre Sur, Piso 6 Centro Simon Bolivar, El Silencio Caracas 1010 Venezuela Phone: 58-212-408-4730/4757/4758 Fax: 58-212-408-4756 E-Mail: jramos@marn.gov.ve Lic. Sergio Garcia Castro Oficina Administrativa de Permisiones Ministerio del Ambiente y de los Recursos Naturales (MARN) Oficina Nacional de Diversidad Biologica Torre Sur, Piso 25 Centro Simon Bolivar, El Silencio Caracas 1010 Venezuela Phone: 58-212-408-1073/4993 Fax: 58-212-408-1015 E-Mail: sgarcia@marn.gov.ve ¶8. (U) For additional information, Embassy Caracas POC is John Speaks, Economic Officer, 58-212-907-8412, speaksjt@state.gov BROWNFIELD NNNN 2005CARACA00334 - UNCLASSIFIED