Specimens produced through biotechnology

Decision directed to Standing Committee

The Standing Committee, in close collaboration with the Animals and Plants Committees, shall: a) continue to discuss trade in products of biotechnology, which might potentially affect international trade in CITES-listed specimens in a way that would threaten their survival, including enforcement of CITES provisions. The Committee’s discussion shall consider the need for new guidance material or updates to existing guidance material on the following issues, in relation to trade in specimens produced through biotechnology: i) whether an update is needed in the Guidance on the use of the scientific exchange exemption and the simplified procedures to issue permits and certificates, endorsed by the Standing Committee at SC73 (online, May 2021), to include a section on specimens produced through biotechnology; ii) whether there is a need for additional guidance on making legal acquisition findings in relation to specimens produced through biotechnology; iii) whether there is a need for guidance on the application of source codes to specimens produced through biotechnology; iv) whether guidance is needed to improve permitting and enforcement of trade in specimens produced through biotechnology in order to address the risk of natural specimens of illegal origin being passed as synthetic and thereby entering the market with a valid CITES permit; v) whether guidance is needed on traceability issues to improve permitting and enforcement of trade in specimens produced through biotechnology in order to ensure a clear link (e.g., marking, other means of identification) between a specimen produced through biotechnology and CITES documentation in order to prevent misuse; vi) whether biotechnology issues concerning animals and plants should be addressed distinctly; and vii) any emerging issues or cases not considered in the document AC31 Doc. 17/PC25 Doc. 20, such as hirudin and squalene; b) communicate to the Animals and Plants Committees any matters that may require scientific advice and guidance, as appropriate; and c) make recommendations for consideration at the 21st meeting of the Conference of the Parties, including appropriate updates to existing guidance materials, the development of new guidance materials on trade in specimens produced through biotechnology or changes to any pertinent Resolutions.