Biopiracy+10

On the 10th anniversary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), ETC group concludes that the CBD has failed to establish meaningful regulations to stop biopiracy. Biopiracy refers to the appropriation of the knowledge and genetic resources of farming and indigenous communities by individuals or institutions seeking exclusive monopoly control (usually patents or plant breeders' rights) over these resources and knowledge. On 11 April 2002 the Coalition Against Biopiracy presented its highly un-coveted Captain Hook Awards - for infamous and outstanding achievements in biopiracy - at the Sixth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP6) in The Hague, April 8-19. This issue of ETC Communiqué provides background information on the award winners, and additional nominees.