BioTrade Principles
Principle 1 Conservation of biodiversity
This is the first objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity; organizations should maintain biological diversity on all scales (genes, specie, and ecosystems).
Criterion 1.1 Characteristics of ecosystems and natural habitats of managed species should be maintained
Organizations should maintain the ecological conditions of the ecosystem where the species are being exploited and activities should not threaten such species.
Criterion 1.2 Genetic variability of flora, fauna and micro-organisms (for use and conservation) should be maintained
Genetic variability is a vital element in ensuring the conservation of biodiversity. Therefore it is important to assure that genetic variability is protected or managed in such a way that there is no risk of losing this variability.
Criterion 1.3 Ecological processes should be maintained
This refers to maintaining the quality of air, water and soil, as well as the ecosystem functions of the biomes, the management of water sources and local microclimates, and the intra- and inter-specific interactions that can affect the productivity of species.
Criterion 1.4 Activities should be developed according to management plans for natural areas, in coordination with the relevant authorities and actors involved
Coherence is necessary among existing management and conservation plans in the areas where productive activities are carried out so that the practices developed by the organization favour the implementation of these plans. The use of the term ‘organization’ is used throughout this document to refer to all entities involved in BioTrade activities of production, transformation or commercialization.
Principle 2 Sustainable use of biodiversity
This principle supports the implementation of the second objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity. BioTrade productive activities aim to assure the sustainability of both the resource being used and the ecosystem involved. The aim is to ensure that the use of a species or ecosystem is not higher than its regenerative and/or productive capacity. Organizations should define instruments for the application of good management and monitoring practices to guide, design and improve the productive processes used.
Criterion 2.1 The use of natural resources should be supported by management documents, including extraction rates lower than regeneration rates, monitoring systems and productivity indexes
Management documents are essential for identifying the fundamental processes, defining the necessary activities to ensure the sustainable use of biological resources and facilitating the monitoring of activities carried out and their impact. This does not necessarily imply the use of a management plan, since this document should be appropriate to the size and complexity of the organization and its productive practices (collection, farming and breeding in captivity).
Criterion 2.2 The management of agro-biodiversity should include agricultural practices that contribute to the conservation of biological diversity
Agricultural practices should ensure the maintenance of basic conditions to sustain agricultural production in the long term without threatening biodiversity and, at the same time, create conditions that favour the regeneration of natural ecosystems.
Criterion 2.3 Technical standards for initiatives of environmental services should be met
Environmental services, such as ecotourism, water regulation or action to reduce the harmful effects of climate change should be provided in accordance with the technical standards defined in each field, or in accordance with existing national and international standards (e.g. those relating to water resources or climate change).
Criterion 2.4 Information and records of experiences should be compiled that contribute to knowledge of biodiversity
Organizations and projects should contribute to the development and transfer of knowledge of management systems and tools, as well as contribute to knowledge validation and dissemination.
Principle 3 Fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from the use of biodiversity
This principle responds to a fundamental facet of the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity under the Convention on Biological Diversity, of which the third objective is the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. Article 15 thus requires access to and the distribution of the benefits related to genetic resources to be based on prior informed consent and mutually agreed terms. When BioTrade activities involve the commercialization of genetic resources, this principle supports these objectives and requirements. Equitable benefitsharing also arises in the context of the second objective of the Convention: the sustainable use of biodiversity. Benefit-sharing is therefore also important in activities dealing with biological resources, which form the vast majority of BioTrade activities. In this context, however, principle 3 requires that suitable methodologies be defined that can support the actors involved in its implementation. For this reason, the criteria identified below are based on current experience. However, they need further definition based on the practical implementation of methodological proposals.
Criterion 3.1 The organization should interact and involve actors along the whole value chain, where possible
The interaction of the organization with the other actors involved in production and commercialization should foster levels of access to information and dialogue that facilitate balanced negotiations. It is extremely important that actors along the value chain are well-informed about the production and commercialization processes. This allows actors to assess their contributions to creating value and 8 provides them with a solid footing for negotiating an adequate price and the equitable sharing of other monetary and non-monetary benefits.
Criterion 3.2 Income should be generated at all levels of the value chain, by contributing to the position of value-added products in the market, under transparent conditions
The precondition for the equitable sharing of benefits is the generation of value and earnings. Without this, economic actors in bio-businesses have no material benefits to share.
Criterion 3.3 Information and knowledge of target markets should be made available and shared among actors
BioTrade organizations seek to promote greater interaction between, on the one hand, local communities and other economic actors and, on the other, markets and also to promote the opportunities they have to offer while promoting the maximum use of information for accessing such markets.
Principle 4 Socio-economic sustainability (productive, financial and market management)
Competitiveness in the field of BioTrade should result in sustainably managed products that can position themselves in specific markets and remain there long enough to generate the expected benefits.
Criterion 4.1 Potential markets should exist
To guarantee sustainability, BioTrade products should have a market potential that is related to the existence of specific markets for those products and services. The specific needs for the product or service (market creation) in terms of trade tools, information, strategic partnerships and advertising need to be considered.
Criterion 4.2 Financial profitability should be achievable
A BioTrade organization should have high potential for long-term financial sustainability, according to the 9 UNCTAD BioTrade Principles and Criteria activities and the organizational system within the enterprise.
Criterion 4.3 Employment should be generated and the quality of life improved
Local development is one of the added values for a BioTrade organization. From this perspective, the generation of employment and the improvement of the standard of living for local communities providing the natural resources are very important. One of the ways in which organizations can support such improvement is to provide tools that enable communities to enhance their commercial practices and to add as much value as possible to the supply chain.
Criterion 4.4 Negative impacts on, inter alia, productive and local cultural practices that affect diversification and food security should be prevented
The development of commercial activities in relation to natural resources can change the customs of the producer and the dynamics of the local market. This can happen in such a way that traditional production practices are affected as well as the availability and price of basic products for the food security of local populations. In addition, it is important for organizations to recognize the efforts of the communities that are responsible for or involved in the conservation and sustainable management of the resources the organization uses. As a result, benefits arising from BioTrade activities need to be shared in such a way as to reward the community, as well as to protect and conserve the resource.
Criterion 4.5 The organization should demonstrate organizational and management capacity
To guarantee the generation of expected benefits and the implementation of the BioTrade Principles, the organization should have an organizational system in place to effectively coordinate activities, as well as a strategy that shows high potential for financial sustainability in the long term.
Principle 5 Compliance with national and international regulations
Compliance with relevant legislation and regulations is fundamental for the legal legitimacy of an organization and its efforts to obtain market access for its products. There are two levels of implementation for this principle: (i) At the international level, where conventions and agreements are, for the most part, guides to principles and good practices. These should be observed and applied wherever possible; and (ii) At the regional and national levels, where there are existing regulations to be complied with.
Criterion 5.1 The organization should be aware of and comply with national and local legislation related to the sustainable use and trade of products and services derived from biodiversity (wildlife management, labour regulations, etc.)
Every national regulation, including labour regulations, applicable to BioTrade projects must be strictly complied with.
Criterion 5.2 The organization should be aware of and comply with international and regional legislation related to sustainable use and the trade of products and services derived from biodiversity
This includes, but is not limited to, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the conventions of the International Labour Organization, the rules of the World Trade Organization and the Andean Community, and other regulations.
Principle 6 Respect for the rights of actors involved in BioTrade activities
The generation of social capital is one of the pillars of sustainable development. For this reason, respect for the rights of actors that in one way or another interact with the organization is fundamental.
Criterion 6.1 Human rights and gender issues should be respected
Human rights are fundamental to the work of all those involved in the sustainable trade of biodiversity products. They should therefore be duly recognized and respected.
Criterion 6.2 Intellectual property rights should be respected
Intellectual property rights, as well as the value of traditional knowledge in obtaining the innovations and creations protected by these rights, should be duly respected. If traditional knowledge is relevant to the development and commercialization of the product, organizations should acknowledge its relevance through joint ownership of intellectual property rights and/or the sharing of the royalties from licensing. Adequate discussion of the intellectual property policy of the different actors is very important in this regard.
Criterion 6.3 Rights of local and indigenous communities (territory, culture, knowledge) should be respected
Local communities and indigenous peoples are for the most part essential actors in the commercialization of biodiversity-based products, as well as in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. To guarantee sustainable trade, the impacts of the productive system on these groups of people should be identified and their rights respected.
Criterion 6.4 Traditional knowledge should be maintained and revived
Traditional knowledge related to the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources is an important component of many BioTrade activities. Even when there is no direct contribution of traditional knowledge to the value chain, BioTrade organizations should frame their activities so that they do not undermine these traditional practices, but rather contribute to their appreciation and conservation.
Criterion 6.5 The organization should offer labour security and proper work conditions
Beyond the standardized labour regulations, a BioTrade organization should comply with appropriate practices that guarantee job security and offer adequate working conditions to its employees.
Principle 7 Clarity about land tenure, use and access to natural resources and knowledge
Clarity about rights of access is a very important element in the responsible management of an organization. Only then can long-term investments be made or corresponding management measures be implemented to ensure sustainability. At the same time, clarity on this issue means that the responsibilities of each actor in the management of the species can be established.
Criterion 7.1 The organization should demonstrate land tenure according to the relevant regulations
The organization should demonstrate it has the right to use the land and the resources in addition to the compliance with Principle 7 and in accordance with Principle 6. The organization should not encroach upon the existing rights of local communities. In cases where there are conflicts over the use of land − for example where traditional rights contradict legal rights − the organization should have mechanisms in place to resolve such conflicts in a way that is satisfactory to all parties.
Criterion 7.2 Access to biological and genetic resources for sustainable use should be subject to prior informed consent
The Convention on Biological Diversity requires access and distribution of benefits in relation to genetic resources to take place on the basis of prior informed consent. In such cases, the consent of all relevant national authorities in the provider country should be obtained. These cases are normally regulated by national legislation, in line with the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Criterion 7.3 Access to traditional knowledge should be granted only where prior informed consent has been granted
Where traditional knowledge is used, the organization should follow all regulations and their established procedures to ensure that the rights of the actors providing this knowledge are recognized, including the right to prior informed consent of all relevant stakeholders, such as indigenous and local communities, as appropriate to the circumstances and subject to domestic law. Traditional knowledge can be considered a resource and, as such, should be valued and rewarded in the appropriate manner
To implement the BioTrade principles, UNCTAD adopted three different approaches, including:
- The “value chain approach”, which involves actors from all parts of the value chain working together to achieve agreed goals.
- The “adaptive management approach”, which allows for corrective measures to be adopted on the basis of ongoing monitoring of impacts.
The “ecosystem approach”, which takes a holistic approach to ecological and social issues and the interactions and processes that make up production systems.