ABSTRACT
In this paper, I add my considerations to Miller’s analysis (Chapter 5) of benefitsharing and the impact of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on botanical research. However, I will focus on the benefits arising from non-commercial research in botanical institutions rather than those from natural products discovery programmes. I also reflect upon some lessons learned from ten years’ experience of using agreements and establishing models for equitable benefit sharing at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Kew decided quite early on to take a proactive stance on the CBD, largely because the usefulness of Kew’s global collections to science and conservation is dependent on its researchers’ ability to acquire, use and exchange material legally, in line with all relevant national and international laws and best practice. The adoption of Kew’s first Policy on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-Sharing (in 1997) was accompanied by significant changes to its research and curatorial practices, and we continue to review the policy and procedures and their effectiveness.
