International conventions and agreements-consequences for international trade and utilization of biological matter, including microorganisms

In this chapter, the focus is on treaties that have strong impact on exchange and practical implementation of biological matter/genetic resources, particularly treaties that may have impacts on the utilization of microorganisms such as (1) The United Nations Convention on Biodiversity; (2) The WTO TRIPS agreement and its annex on trade-related intellectual property rights; and (3) The FAO ITPGRFA on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Microorganisms included in several of the approximately 20 categories of biological matter specified in, for example, the CBD, but also in TRIPS and the ITPGRFA, are presented. A few examples are discussed (partly from the world of plants), in which the treaties have led to direct effects on capabilities to conduct research and exploit new research findings. Finally, a few prospective ways are discussed that may lead forward towards higher FTO, and thereby could facilitate the transition of new research results into biological products that can lead to improvements of food security and environmental quality.