The legal act aims to determine the national legal regulation of relations related to ensuring
access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their
utilization.
The Law shall not apply to:
- Genetic resources of a human, potentially pathogenic and pathogenic microorganisms;
- Genetic resources the transfer and use of which is carried out within the Republic of Belarus;
- Genetic resources of agricultural and other products of animal, plant and microbiological origin
unless further research is implied.
In particular, the legal act: - Provides definitions for the terms “genetic resources”, “access to genetic resources”, “genetic
resources management”, “the provider and user of genetic resources” etc.; - Determines the main principles in the field of genetic resources management with due regard to
the international commitments of the Republic of Belarus and is aimed at the conservation of
biological diversity and sustainable use of genetic resources; - Considers the powers of officials and government bodies in the field of genetic resources
management (the President, the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environmental Protection, the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus); reflects coordination
and scientific support matters; - Establishes the procedure for providing access to genetic resources;
- Provides for a simplified mechanism to exchange breeding material for the development of new
varieties of agricultural crops; - Establishes the rights and obligations of the providers and users of genetic resources in genetic
resources management.