Intellectual property rights (IPR) issues in livestock biodiversity -Indian perspective

Abstract

Commercial interests in the new developments in biotechnology led to pressure being exerted on
World Trade Organization (WTO) member states to provide better patent protection in livestock agriculture.
Harmonization of national laws, particularly dealing with intellectual property rights in different areas including
animal agriculture is one of the major impacts of GATT/WTO. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
recognizes the sovereign rights of nations over their genetic resources, including the capacity to establish
conditions of access and fair and equitable sharing of benefit from the use of such resources. In spite of great
economic and biological importance, even today a legal framework for animal genetic resources comparable
to International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources doesn't exist. Such a legal framework should contribute to
global food security, and also benefit biodiversity rich under developed and developing countries".