Notification for Discovery Phase Bioprospecting Formalised

On 1 April 2011 Section 39 of the National Environmental Management Laws Amendment Act, 2009 (Act no. 14 of 2009) which governs the method of reporting on discovery phase bioprospecting activities involving indigenous biological resources. No person my engage in the discovery phase of bioprospecting involving any indigenous biological resources without first notifying the Minister of Environmental Affairs.

Previously UCT informed the minister of its activities in a letter - a prescribed form now needs to be used for this purpose. Both the project leader (Principal Investigator) and RCIPS (as representatives of UCT) need to sign the form, which will be sent off by RCIPS.

Additional information on the Act and details of the notification submissions process and forms are available on the Bioprospecting page of our website.

Section 39 reads as follows:

''Notification requirements

81A. (1) No person may, without first notifying the Minister, engage in the discovery phase of bioprospecting involving any indigenous biological resources.

(2) A notice referred to in subsection (1) must be in such form and must contain such other particulars as may be prescribed.

(3)A person involved in the discovery phase of bioprospecting must sign a prescribed commitment to comply with the requirements at the commercialisation phase of bioprospecting.''