ABSTRACT
The past decade has seen the States Parties engaged initially in the identification and examination of potential verification measures to strengthen the Convention and then in the negotiation of a Protocol to strengthen the effectiveness and improve the implementation of the Convention. This Protocol is now almost complete with the provision to delegations on 30 March 2001 of a Chairman’s composite text. The elements of the regime are examined and compared with the comparable provisions in the Chemical Weapons Convention - the arms control regime that is of the closest relevance to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention as both address toxins and both address dual use materials and technology. Insofar as the danger from bioterrorism is concerned, the Protocol provides a useful tool that helps to counter this danger. Many narcotic drugs and psychotropic chemicals are or are produced from naturally occurring materials.
