1. WTO TRIPS Council activities relevant to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources Presentation by Ms. Jayashree Watal, Counsellor, Intellectual Property Division, WTO Secretariat at UNCTAD meeting on the ITPGRFA 11 September 2002

2. PRESENTATION OUTLINE Doha Mandate Background of discussions in TRIPS Council Review of Article 27.3(b) Relationship between the TRIPS Agreement and the CBD Protection of traditional knowledge and folklore Summing up

3. DOHA MANDATE Paragraph 19 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration: –to examine the relationship between the TRIPS Agreement and the CBD and the protection of traditional knowledge and folklore. –To be guided by Articles 7 and 8 and take fully into account the development dimension Pursuant to this mandate, the subjects of –the relationship between the TRIPS Agreement and the CBD and –the protection of traditional knowledge and folklore appear separately on the agenda of the TRIPS Council. Report to be made by the TRIPS Council to the TNC before the end of the year.

4. BACKGROUND Articles 27.3(b) and 71.1 are part of the so-called built-in agenda. Specific issues relating to genetic resources, including plant genetic resources, has been under discussion under the review of Article 27.3(b) since 1999, although issues first raised in 1995 in the CTE. Some of these issues raised by developing country Members under the “Implementation” set of issues

5. REVIEW OF ARTICLE 27.3(B) IP/C/W/369 Four main categories of views expressed with respect to the provisions relating to plant and animal inventions Differing views on the elements of a sui generis system for the protection of plant varieties Existence of FAO ITPGRFA noted in discussions.

6. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRIPS AND CBD IP/C/W/368 Three categories of views on this issue Specific proposal on disclosure in patent applications of information on the origin of genetic resources and traditional knowledge on which invention is based

7. PROTECTION OF TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND FOLKLORE IP/C/W/370 Major concerns Differing solutions Different forums Farmers’ rights - most directly related to the ITPGRFA

8. TO SUM UP... Pursuant to Doha mandate, three separate agenda items included in TRIPS Council of relevance to the ITPGRFA. However, these subjects have been under discussion in the Council since 1999 and in the WTO even before this. There are specific relevant issues being discussed under these agenda items on which a report has to be submitted to the TNC by the end of this year.