Putting Fair and Equitable Benefit Sharing into Practice ABS in Africa Katie Beckett PhytoTrade Africa
PhytoTrade Africa Membership based trade association in Southern Africa Nine member countries and approximately 60 members Objective To help grow Southern Africa s natural product industry while ensuring its long term sustainability and the sharing of benefits in a fair and equitable manner. Facilitated through hsupply chain development, product development and market access and development to meet regional and international market requirements. Five Pillar Strategy Value chain enhancement Grassroots up benefit sharing model
Access and Benefit Sharing in Africa 11 African countries have ratified the Nagoya Protocol (+ those signed) Country specific legislation in place and under development Countries that have not signed and/or ratified the NP may still have ABS measures in place Links with National Focal Points Prior Informed Consent, Mutually Agreed Terms and Benefit Sharing Agreements Understanding definitions in a changing environment Regional resources cross boundary African Union Guidelines for a Coordinated Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol in Africa
Access and Benefit Sharing Approach Biodiversity of Africa = Natural national asset and competitive advantage ABS provides a unique opportunity to benefit rural producers and link to global markets Support National Development Plans (regional and country specific) Members, Governments, industry partners Adapt activities to local environments Create long term commercial opportunities Address asymmetries between producer groups and fast moving industries PhytoTrade model capacity building, value addtion, technology transfer
PhytoTrade Africa PhytoTrade represents producers groups, associations, cooperatives, local SMEs and service providers Grassroots up approach Vl Valorisation of biodiversity it Promote members along value chain (higher and more secure returns) Support partnerships p between suppliers and industry for further R&D and market access. Coherent ABSdialogue Government, CROs, universities, NGOs, industry Raise industry awareness of ABS
Value Chain and Benefit Sharing Objective is to move producer groups up the value chain Benefit sharing through biotrade, not only use of genetic resources (Nagoya Protocol)
Value Proposition Grassroots up approach to ABS (value proposition of members) Steps to product commercialisation i Sustainable supply chain of commercial scale with conservation and ABS contributions Commercial potential identified, scientific and patent literature reviewed Value added added product aligned with markettrends trends and customer requirements USPs identified with supporting technical information Competitor analysis Relevant regulations addressed, d dossiers complied IP analysis, freedom to operate and ABS compliance (traditional knowledge) Competitive production and sound business model with benefit sharing agreements Industry commitment to commercial partnerships BS agreements and technology transfer
Benefit Sharing Approach : R&D Develop concepts and begin the NPD process to take to industry for collaborative approach (expertise and costs) Regulators must facilitate process and donors are required to support costs that private sector do not absorb Non monetary benefits promoted Technology transfer and know how transfer Capacity builidng (technical, market, IP knowledge) Supply chain certification and business planning support
Benefit Sharing in Africa Marula Cooperative in Namibia Marula fruit products and kernel oil Market knowledge and development Technologies New products from waste material Baobab Producers in Southern Africa Baobab fruit powder Market develoment and access Novel Foods, GRAS Processing technologies mobile unit Industry partners and customers New products from waste material
Recommendations 1. Robust dialogue between all stakeholders 2. Regulators put in place effective and efficient regulatory frameworks 3. Coherence between private sector objectives and national development policy 4. Civil society, donors and private sector build knowledge and negotiation capacity at producer level 5. Industry partners with organisations whose objectives are aligned with the CBD and national development plans, and who support biotrade value chains from the bottom up
Thank you Katie Beckett Research and Innovation Manager PhytoTrade Africa Katie@phytotradeafrica.com