Annex 7

POSSIBLE MECHANISMS FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC

Examples of methods for communicating with the public include:

• Establishing a register of information about work with organisms with novel traits, whether in containment or in deliberate releases into the environment. Such a register should provide for appropriate safeguards for commercially sensitive information; a summary of risk assessments; evaluations by the authorities or any relevant advisory committees;
• Giving interested groups the opportunity to comment on proposals to work with organisms with novel traits, possibly on the basis of a register of information as outlined above;
• Publishing a newsletter outlining the kind of work that is being carried out with organisms with novel traits, its purpose, and the controls under which it is taking place;
• Encouraging those intending to release organisms with novel traits into the environment to inform local people, through public meetings, advertisements in local newspapers, or other appropriate means;
• Encouraging dialogue between companies and academic institutions working with organisms with novel traits and public interest groups;
• Electronic billboarding;
• Making use of radio and television;
• Providing information about products;
• Any other means appropriate within the local context.