Application of the Nagoya Protocol to veterinary pathogens: concerns for the control of FMD To address inequality in the appropriation of resources in our global history, particularly in relation to the exploitation of natural biodiversity, the Nagoya Protocol was established in 2010. This international agreement aims to ensure equitable access and benefit-sharing of genetic resources. A recent review article by Horsington et al . (2023) provides an in- depth examination of the Nagoya Protocol within the
Dr Serena Shunmugam Junior Marketing Manager Veterinary Public Health Center Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
context of transboundary livestock diseases, such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). Dr Pascal Hudelet, Head of VPH Technical Services at Boehringer Ingelheim, is a co-author of this insightful paper. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/ fvets.2023.1271434/full
The Nagoya Protocol, established in 2010 as a supplement to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), was created to address the historical exploitation of genetic resources in developing nations. It promotes Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) to ensure fair compensation for the utilization of genetic resources. This international treaty grants sovereign rights to countries over their natural resources, emphasizing national authority in determining access to genetic resources. The legal framework of the Nagoya Protocol is complex and operates at the national level, resulting in diverse definitions, obligations, and procedures among provider countries. Non-compliance with the protocol carries severe consequences, contributing to legal risks for companies and institutions. The
concept of viral sovereignty, asserting a country’s rights over viruses within its jurisdiction, emerged because of the CBD. While it addresses legitimate expectations of provider countries, it raises challenges for global health and food security. In the context of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), a highly economically significant livestock disease, the Nagoya Protocol has notable impacts on global surveillance, academic research, and commercial activities. FMD research involves the exchange of materials, including the FMD virus (FMDV), for surveillance and vaccine development. However, the Nagoya Protocol’s legal complexities and variable national implementations present challenges in the exchange of FMD materials, potentially hindering the timely development of critical tools for FMD control and global health security.
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