National biological weapons law Angela Woodward, VERTIC

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National biological weapons lawAngela Woodward,
VERTIC

• VERTIC Seminar
• Approaches to national legislation for nuclear,
  biological and chemical weapons agreements
• UK Foreign Commonwealth Office
• 12 June 2006

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What is biological warfare?

• Biological warfare is
• the intentional use of disease-causing
  micro-organisms, or other entities, that can
  replicate themselves (e.g. bacteria, toxins,
  viruses)
• against humans, animals or plants for hostile
  purposes

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The biological weapons threat

• State biological weapons programmes
• Former Iraqi regime Anthrax
• Former Soviet Union Anthrax, plague, smallpox
  etc
• Non-state actors / terrorists
• Aum Shinrikyo Botulism toxin and anthrax
• Rajneesh Cult Salmonella
• Individuals Ricin, anthrax
• Future threat
• Misapplication of developments in science and
  technology

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Dual-use materials

• Related materials are dual-use ? can be used for
  peaceful or hostile purposes
• Biological agents, toxins or viruses
• Bacillus anthracis, botulinum toxin, ricin,
  smallpox, foot and mouth disease
• Means of delivery
• Munitions, sprayers, aerosols and bio-regulators
• Related equipment
• Fermenters, centrifugal separators, freeze
  driers, aerosol inhalation chambers

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1972 Biological Weapons Convention

• Bans development, production, stockpiling,
  acquisition and retention
• Bans transfer
• Bans assisting, encouraging, inducing others to
  undertake these activities
• Bans use
• ? Requires national implementing measures
  (Article IV)
• Prohibited materials are defined in Article I
• biological agents and toxins in types and
  quantities that have no justification for
  prophylactic, protective or other peaceful
  purposes
• weapons, equipment and means of delivery

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UN Security Council Resolution 1540

• Objectives
• Prohibit non-state actors from developing a
  biological weapons capability
• Prevent access to dual-use biological materials,
  equipment and means of delivery for hostile
  purposes
• ? Requires national implementing legislation and
  other measures (OPs 2 3)

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National biological weapons law

• Penal law Criminalize prohibited activities
• Establish appropriate penalties
• Criminal procedural law Facilitate law
  enforcement
• Establish jurisdiction for national courts
• Biosecurity measures Physical protection of
  laboratories and materials
• Measures to account for materials
• Export control laws National control lists

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Legislative assistance

• The International Committee of the Red Cross
• The European Union (Joint Action on the BTWC)
• Other states

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Other guidance and technical assistance

• Law enforcement Interpol (Bioterrorism
  Preparedness Programme)
• Customs World Customs Organization
• Export controls Export control arrangements (eg.
  Australia Group)

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Contact details

• Angela Woodward
• Deputy Director
• VERTIC
• Development House
• 56-64 Leonard Street
• London EC2A 4JX
• Tel [phone]
• Direct tel [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• Email angela_at_vertic.org