Research permits processed daily despite pushback over access and benefit sharing legislation

There has already been some international ire as a result of the government’s passage of the access and benefit sharing (ABS) legislation, Department of Environmental Planning and Protection Director Rochelle Newbold revealed yesterday, explaining that despite the push-back, permits are being processed daily. 

Newbold, who made the remarks during an appearance on Morning Blend Business on Guardian Radio 96.9 FM, said some research partners have threatened not to return to The Bahamas.

She contended that it was always understood that there would be people challenging the legislation, but said the law was passed in order to protect the interests of the Bahamian people. 

“The ultimate objective is equity in the relationship between The Bahamas and researchers,” Newbold said.

“The research environment in The Bahamas is mostly international, so our international partners, some were very concerned, some wanted clarity, some didn’t think this was the best thing.”

According to Newbold, the ABS seeks to ensure that if any commercial products originate from marine life, terrestrial life or the environment of The Bahamas, that the country would benefit from that discovery.

She said many things were removed from The Bahamas’ environment in the past, turned into commercial products and no recognition or monetary benefit trickled back down.

“When we became aware of said commercialization (of locally-sourced material in the past) we sought to engage researchers in 

discussion of how we can benefit from that and quite frankly, they were like, ‘I don’t see how that will be possible, we did what you asked, you asked us to make application, you gave us a permit, we did what we did, there was no other obligation for us to continue any activity additional to that relationship’,” said Newbold.

She said people would approach The Bahamas about conducting research and “suddenly patents were made against things they discovered”.

Newbold contended that the days of The Bahamas missing out on benefits from its natural resources have come to an end. She said the ABS also ensures that the research derived by permit holders is shared with scholars and researchers in The Bahamas.

She added that while there have been several international bodies that have shunned the ABS and threatened to research elsewhere, the permit process remains strong.

“We are processing permits daily, so it’s not like the system has stalled,” Newbold said.

The post Research permits processed daily despite pushback over access and benefit sharing legislation appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.

source https://thenassauguardian.com/research-permits-processed-daily-despite-pushback-over-access-and-benefit-sharing-legislation/