A Phase II Capacity Building Project on Biosafety is being implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India with support from Global Environment Forum (GEF) through the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) since 2012. The objective of the project has been to strengthen the biosafety management system in India to ensure adequate protection of human health and biodiversity from potential harm arising from all LMO related activities in agriculture.

MoEF&CC conceptualized the project to supplement the ongoing biosafety capacity building initiatives in India, integrate international experience and promote regional cooperation. The project design and thrust area were identified through a consultative process by seeking inputs from various stakeholders including government, scientists, research institutions, NGOs and the potential project partners.

The four thrust areas of the project under which several activities have been implemented are:

Risk Assessment and Risk Management (RARM),

Handling, Transport, Packaging and Identification (HTPI) of LMOs,

Socio-Economic Considerations (SECs)

Public Awareness (PA)

The four thrust areas are also in line with the focal areas identified in the ‘Strategic Plan for Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety for the period 2011-2020’ adopted in the year 2010.

The scope of the Phase II Capacity Building Project on Biosafety is limited to LMOs in agriculture