Governments, academia and organisations throughout the world invest considerably in public research in modern biotechnology to strengthen the sustainable production of food, feed and fibre, to address water shortage, to improve health care and environmental protection. The extent to which modern biotechnology will be able to contribute to these goals depends on, among other things, the regulations that apply. National regulations are strongly influenced by international agreements, such as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB). During the development of these international agreements, the public research sector, which counts tens of thousands researchers in several thousand research institutes in developing and developed countries, has until 2004 not been represented in an organised way.
PRRI
In 2004, the Public Research and Regulation Initiative (PRRI) was established with the objective to offer public researchers involved in modern biotechnology a forum through which they are informed about and involved in relevant international discussions, such as the Meetings of the Parties to the CPB (MOPs). Goal of participation in such meetings is to inform the negotiators about the objectives and progress of public research in modern biotechnology, to bring science to the negotiations, and to inform the negotiators about concerns public researchers may have.
Organisation and Funding
The ‘heart’ of this initiative is the PRRI Forum, which connects public researchers who wish to be informed about relevant developments and actively involved in the activities of PRRI. Public researchers involved in modern biotechnology are welcome to register as a Forum member, so that they can be informed about new developments. Registration is free of cost.
PRRI is coordinated by a Steering Committee of public researchers from all corners of the world, and a foundation has been established for the organisation’s financing. The day-to-day activities and communications are handled by the Secretariat. PRRI has established working groups to address specific topics.
Information is also provided in French, Russian, Spanish, and Arabic.
Financial support has been provided by governments, international organisations and the private sector. The European Commission has funded a 3-year project, called Science4BioReg, which allows PRRI to conduct some of its basic activities in the period 2006 - 2009. Information about funding can be found under 'Foundation'.
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