Convention on Biological Diversity Neg brief

Link to intrinsic value and Evolution Kritiks (BB 234)

Preamble to Convention on Biological diversity
“The Contraction Parties,
Conscious of the intrinsic value of biological diversity and of the ecological, genetic,
social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational, and aesthetic values of
biological diversity and its components,
Conscious also of the importance of biological diversity for evolution and for
maintaining life sustaining systems in the biosphere,”
[After several more beliefs of the signers, and the signatures, it goes on to say]
“[The signers] Have agreed as follows:” [Then comes the text of the convention]

Link to reduced use of GMOs

Jonathan Adler, (Former director of environmental studies at the Competitive Enterprise
institute, Professor of law at Case Western Reserve University School of Law
specializing in environmental law) ‘The Cartagena Protocol and Biological Diversity:
Biosafe or
Bio-Sorry?’ Published in ‘GEORGETOWN INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
REVIEW’ 2000 Accessed online at http://www.cbd.int/doc/articles/2002-/a-00189.pdf

The sad irony of the Biosafety Protocol* is that it may well retard, rather than advance,
the protection of biodiversity. Under the guise of adopting “precautionary” measures to
protect the environment, the Protocol could restrict one of the most important tools for
biodiversity conservation—agricultural biotechnology. Negotiators gave hypothetical
risks posed by genetically engineered crops and foodstuffs greater consideration than the
demonstrated need to improve agricultural productivity and reduce modern agriculture’s
stress on the natural environment. Government representatives of developing countries
claimed that concern for environmental protection justified restrictions on the
transboundary movement of genetically engineered crops, but “paid little attention to the
rural devastation currently caused by expanding acreage under low-yielding, pest
vulnerable [non-genetically engineered] crops.” Even if one’s sole focus is environmental
protection, it is quite possible that the Biosafety Protocol could do more harm than good.
*‘Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety’ is part of ‘Convention on Biological Diversity’
Introduction to ‘Cartagena Protocol On Biosafety To The Convention On Biological
Diversity: Text And Annexes’

At its second meeting, held in November 1995, the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention [on Biological Diversity] established an Open-ended Ad Hoc Working Group
on Biosafety to develop a draft protocol on biosafety, focusing specifically on
transboundary movement of any living modified organism resulting from modern
biotechnology that may have adverse effect on the conservation and sustainable use of
biological diversity. After several years of negotiations, the Protocol, known as the
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity, was finalized
and adopted in Montreal on 29 January 2000 at an extraordinary meeting of the
Conference of the Parties.

Systems exist in the SQ to protect Biodiversity

National Park Service and The Nature Conservancy help to protect biodiversity on the Tallgrass
Prairie National Reserve

Tallgrass Prairie National Reserve’s website: Management: Our Partners

http://www.nps.gov/tapr/parkmgmt/partners.htm
The Nature Conservancy is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the
plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by
protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. The Conservancy and its million
members have been responsible for the protection of 15 million acres of ecologically
significant land in the United States and an additional 117 million acres worldwide. The
majority of Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is owned by The Nature Conservancy and managed by the
National Park Service.

Goal of Tallgrass Prairie National Reserve:

Annual Performance Report, FY 2009
By September 30, 2009, 25 (6%) of 400 acres of Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve's
lands disturbed by prior human development or agricultural use and targeted by
September 30, 2003 for restoration are restored.

By September 30, 2009, 120 acres (30% of 400 acres) of Tallgrass Prairie National
Preserve lands impacted by invasive (nonnative) plants are effectively controlled.

By September 30, 2009, 1 (100% of 1) of Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve's current

status federally listed threatened or endangered species is moved from "unknown" status
to making progress towards recovery.