ABSTRACT
In Montreal in January 2000, tough and lengthy negotiations went on day and night in the Delta Hotel despite heavy snowfall and firm-minded protestors outside. The definition of the scope of the protocol was so important that different groups negotiated on it until the last moment. The negotiation in Cartagena had collapsed for lack of compromise on the issue of living modified organisms (LMO) for food, feed and processing. The Like-Minded Group repeated that the objective of the protocol was to protect the environment, biodiversity and human health through regulating the development, testing, handling and use of LMOs. If the protocol were subordinated to the world trade regime, a very bad precedent would be created for the international legal system. China was of the view that the parties of the protocol could consider exempting some LMOs after they have been proved safe for the environment, biodiversity and human health.
