Biodiversity Knowledge Sharing Models

Knowledge and Biodiversity
from biopiracy to the
creation of shared value
Pierre Wi!iam Johnson, May 2012
http://www.pierrejohnson.eu

A threatened treasure
Biodiversity is the diversity and variability of life forms.

Variety of genes (individuals)
Variety of species
Variety of ecosystems

Species disappear at 1000 times their natural rate.

1 amphibian out of 3, 1 mammal out of 4, 1 bird out of 8
70% of plant species are under threat of extinction

Causes : artiﬁcialisation, deforestation, intensive agriculture,
mines, contamination.

Of 80 0000 known edible plants, 3 cereals provide 60% of
proteins generated by plants.
Tous droits réservés. Reproduction interdite sans accord de l’auteur. Pierre Johnson 2012 http://pierrejohnson.eu

Human diversity and
Biological diversity

6 909 languages in the world. More than 5 000 are spoken
by less than 10 000 persons.

5 000 indigenous people in 70 coutries, 370 million people
(1 personne out of 20)

Cultural diversity is threatened, just as biodiversity, to
which it is closely linked.

All rights reserved. Reproduction forbidden without agreement. Pierre Johnson 2012 http://pierrejohnson.eu

Traditional knowledge
on biodiversity
30 000 species of medicinal plants are known;
1 medicine out of 2 originates from a plant.

Knowledge closely linked to the land, in all its dimensions
Example: 3 000 varieties of potatoe cultived under the Incas.

Respect of ecosystems and preservation of biodiversity.

Knowledge of indigenous people on adaptation to climate
change.


The Convention on
Biological Diversity
The Convention on Biological Diversity (1992)
and its 3 objectives in article 1:

1. The conservation of biological diversity;

2. The sustainable use of its components;

3. The fair and equitable sharing of the beneﬁts arising out of
the utilization of genetic resources


What basis for beneﬁt sharing

Access and beneﬁt sharing (art. 15) is challenged by the diversity
of value systems. Particularly as regards to intellectual property,
transmission of knowdge, research and development.

universe - world Patents

What basis for beneﬁt sharing

Access and beneﬁt sharing (art. 15) is challenged by the diversity
of value systems. Particularly as regards to intellectual property,
transmission of knowdge, research and development.

Community

universe - world Patents

Biopiracy

Deﬁnition: Illegal or illegitimate appropriation of elements of
biodiversity and/or related knowledge.

Causes/Motivations:

Different concepts of knowledge and research

Lack of acknowledgement of the contribution of the knowledge
heritage transmitted from generation to generation

Ignorance of the clauses of the Convention on Biological Diversity


Illegitimate patents
Pelargonium sidoides
Plukenetia volubilis
Examples of cases where illegitimate patents (Sacha Inchi)
were successfully withdrawn (lack of novelty)
US Cie Grace registered 90 patents on neem -
a natural pesticide well-known and used in India
Azadirachta indiça
German Cie Schwabe registered 5 patents on Pelargonium Sinoides
an anti-cough plant from Southern Africa in 2002.
Patents were revoked at EPO in 2010.

Greentech registered an extraction process for the seed Sacha Inchi
in 2006. It withdrew it in 2009 under pressure of the Peruvian
Commission against Biopiracy and Frrench Collective for an
alternative to Biopiracy.

Improving practices
involves:

establishing a dialogue between companies and local
communities, indigenous or just rural

taking into account the CBD, prior informed consent and
setting up beneﬁt sharing agreements

a process of learning towards a genuine collective
intelligence, from the beginning to the destination of the
supply chain


Natura : a model company?
Bem estar bem

First Brasilian cosmetics company, founded in 1969

Often highlighted for its corporate responsibility

1 billion euros annual sales, 5 100 workers

Access to genetic resources: 26 agreements with
communities. 6 of those agreements for access to
traditional knowledge


ABS according to Natura
M Reais Payment to producers

8
Image
6 Sponsors
Access
4 Products

2

0
(CBD) 2007 2008 2009 2010

Prior cases involving Natura
Marché ver-o-peso (2001) :
access to image or to traditional knowledge?

Muru Muru (2007) : confusion, as 2 other companies involved,
registering patents. Natura had nothing to do with the case.

Conclusions :

1. Sensivity of the image of a large national company like Natura.

2. The company’s practice evolves with the legislation and pressure of
the legal and political powers. It’s a learning process.


Warana: an ethical trade

A plant which is an icon in Brasil,
heritage of the Sateré Mawé people.

Genetic bank of guarana / warana :
780 000 hectares, between rivers Andira and Marau
10 000 Sateré Mawé, 500 produce 5 to 10 tons
a year of the «authentic stuff»

European Fair Trade partners :
Guayapi, CTM, Artisans du Monde


Payment breakdown (2008)
Sateré Mawé producers
General Council of the Tribus Sateré Mawé tribes
Technical extension
Transportation and Transformation 9%
Diverse (taxes)
18% 35%

Guayapi
Buys at 45 € / kg
10%

29%


Savoirs des Peuples
(France - Andes)
French ethical cosmetic start up

«The powers of sacred plants» 1 Producers
Develop production through fair trade
Ethical and fair partnerships
3
2 Communities and their knowledge
2

1 Develop collective knowledge

3 Common Good
No patents
Promote public research
Support indigenous organisations

Practical application
1 2 3

Common
Producers People
good

Premium prices 4% of sales of AÏNY to Encourage
people of Ecuador and publications
(5% to 100% superior)
Peru
Investigation projects
A reforestation project
1 leaﬂet on with universities in
traditionnel France and Peru
knowledge


What about when:
Communities are not so well organised

fair trade There are knowledge shared between several
communities

There are knowledge that cross borders
dthical biotrade

If local communities add value to their
products, through transformation
respect of people
(watch next slide for an example)
convergence of values

Our interpretation of the 3 circles


What about when:
Producers
communities

There are knowledge that cross borders
dthical biotrade

respect of people



What about when:
Producers
communities

Community There are knowledge that cross borders
dthical biotrade

respect of people



What about when:
Producers
communities

Community There are knowledge that cross borders
dthical biotrade

Common good products, through transformation
respect of people



Marula oil
2 strategies in Southern Africa
Patent and importation of Cooperative and local
non-transformed ingredient transformation
2600 women

Sales under own brand
2
Sales of bulk oil
1.5
1
0.5
0
Maruline ® 2005 2006 2007 2008 2008 2009
All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without the agreement of the author. Pierre Johnson 2012 http://pierrejohnson.eu

Labels: imperfect guides
Research: Pierre Johnson

For more information on certiﬁcations and Ethical biotrade
Fair Trade
their performance, write us at
contact@pierrejohnson.eu

Sustainable Forestry

Organic agriculture
Organic and
ecological
cosmetics


What will be your model of

ethical biotrade?

http://pierrejohnson.eu contact@pierrejohnson.eu

Biodiversity Knowledge Sharing Models

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