Regional ABS Capacity-Building Workshop for Eastern and Southern Africa , Addis Ababa October 2nd-6th, 2005

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Regional ABS Capacity-Building Workshop for
Eastern and Southern Africa , Addis Ababa
October 2nd-6th, 2005

• Coco de Mer bioprospecting in Seychelles

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• Peter Munyi
• Southern Environmental and Agricultural Policy
  Research Institute (SEAPRI)
• International Centre of Insect Physiology and
  Ecology (ICIPE)
• pmunyi_at_icipe.org

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Name and type of genetic resource

• Coco de Mer.
• As described by the company that has allegedly
  accessed the genetic resource
• Often known as sea coconut, this is a giant palm
  found only in Seychelles. Its seed is the largest
  in nature, takes 10 years to mature and provides
  intensely hydrating and skin softening oil.

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• This is not entirely correct as few examples of
  Coco de Mer palms exist outside Seychelles.
• However, the only populations capable of
  sustaining commercial extractions of nuts are in
  the islands of Seychelles.
• However, text suggests collection having occurred
  in Seychelles.

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Actors involved

• Molton Brown Limited (UK)
• Coco de Mer Limited (UK)

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How the genetic resource is used

• Apparently, the kernel of the nut is being
  processed for use as an ingredient in a cosmetic
  skin lotion, Ultra Smooth Coco de Mer Body
  Lotion.
• The lotion retails at US 25 for 200ml and is
  also available in airline complimentary packages.
• A well established international market thus
  exists.

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Type/kind of ABS Agreement

• No known agreement exists.
• An unknown agreement is unlikely as Coco de Mer
  is strictly regulated in Seychelles.
• Seychelles authorities are unaware of any
  authorised commercial exploitation by Molton
  Brown Limited.

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Agreed benefits in the agreement

• None as no known agreement exists

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Benefits realised to date

• No known benefits realized.

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Direct contribution to poverty alleviation if any

• No known contributions to poverty alleviation.

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Lessons learned to date

• It is difficult to know what is happening and
  this may be a case of unjust profiting by Molton
  Brown Limited on account of Seychellois goodwill
  due to a misrepresentation.
• Some legal instruments may be useful in
  protecting the Coco de Mer such as Geographical
  Indications (GIs), and Trade Marks but there are
  associated hurdles... a Coco de Mer trade mark
  was registered in the UK by a company, Coco de
  Mer Limited.

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What changes at the local, national and/or
international level would significantly have made
a difference regarding BS and poverty
alleviation?

• Improved local or national frameworks in novel
  commodities, such as natural products.
• Improved access to information and legal
  frameworks in user countries.
• Greater effort by user countries to respect the
  sovereignty and legal frameworks of provider
  countries, probably through an agreed
  international framework

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Questions and/or comments??

• Thank you!!