Report of the Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs on the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity, dated 9 June 2003:

The Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs, having considered the request for approval by Parliament of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity, referred to it, recommends that the Council, in terms of section 231(2) of the Constitution, approve the said Protocol.

The Committee, however, appeals to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to keep it abreast of further developments around the Protocol.

Furthermore, the Committee appeals to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism to promote and facilitate public awareness, education and participation concerning the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms, as is stated in Article 23 of the Protocol.

Report to be considered.