Genetic Material Transfer

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1. Instruction for Ethiopian Researchers

Previously, students of various educational levels, researchers, explorers, etc. have been taking genetic material legally as well as illegally out of the country. However, this resulted in biopiracy, which led to the misuse of organisms such as patenting and hinders the country in general and the community in particular to Benefit from the uses of their Genetic wealth.

Currently, our country has developed national laws dealing with genetic material access and sharing of benefit. However, it is very difficult to control the flow of the countries genetic wealth in various directions without a concerted effort and sharing of responsibility for the benefit of our country and the local community who have been conserving these resources for generations.

Besides following the legal procedures mentioned above, researchers need to be informed that endemic species, wilds relatives and genetic materials of national economic priority e.g. Coffee are not allowed to be exported for study purposes. Hence, the Institute strongly encourages carrying out researches on such materials within the country (Ethiopia) by working towards developing institutional capacities. Furthermore, endangered, threatened and nearly extinct species are prohibited by Law from Export.

The Check lists can be downloaded below (PDF):

Endemic Plants of Ethiopia-Reported
Endemic-Animals
The Red List of Endemic Trees & Shrubs of Ethiopia and Eritrea
Working list on Threatened Animal Species of Ethiopia

Moreover, consult the nationally mandated institution (i.e. Institute of Biodiversity Conservation) before going into any International agreement that involves the transfer of the country’s genetic resources. Download Code of Conduct below.

For further details and assistance, please contact us using the following addresses:

ኢ-ሜይል፡ info@ebi.gov.et

Tel: +251-11-6612244

Fax: +251-11-6613722

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2. Genetic Material Export Permit

The Institute of Biodiversity Conservation (EBI) is mandated to give permit for those who need to export genetic materials abroad for research purposes. Ethiopian researchers planning to do their researches abroad on genetic material (s) from Ethiopia must obtain permission from EBI before taking the material to another country.

To facilitate the process there are certain requirements that the permit applicant needs to fulfill. These are:-

1.1 The permit applicant must bring an Official letter from his/her home organization

1.2 The applicant must submit a revised and authenticated copy of his/her Research proposal (not more than 15 pages) – with brief introduction, objective/s, clear methodology, expected outcomes and the benefit of the research to Ethiopia .

1.3 In the official letter, the person responsible for the research, local and scientific name of the species that needs to be taken abroad, amount of sample in grams/kilograms/packs etc, the destination Institute/university and country, total number of accessions/samples and purpose of the research need to be mentioned.

1.4 If the samples are collected by the researcher from various regions of the country, the passport data of the samples needs to be attached and exact copies of the samples be brought to the Institute with the official request letter. Note that the passport data and copies of the newly collected samples will be deposited in the Institute for verification and follow up purposes.

1.5 Five (5) copies of the MTA signed by the researcher and Signed and stamped by the researcher’s host institute need to be produced along with the official letter for faster facilitation process.

1.6 The Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) will be made between the host organization, the researcher, and EBI.

1.7 Although the general structure of the MTA is similar, the specific contents vary depending on the research objective, expected outcome, amount required, destination country etc. For this, it is advisable if you copy the MTA format attached herewith (MS Word) and fill/Edit the format depending on your requirement. Please take a look at the Export-agreement-sample for clear understanding of what is required.

In addition to instructions   given in export permit to Ethiopian researchers, foreign applicants should fulfill the following:

1.8 Present a letter from the competent authority of his national state or that of his domicile assuring that it shall uphold and enforce the access obligations of the applicant;

1.9 Collection of the genetic resource from ex-situ shall be accompanied by personnel of the Institute or personnel of the relevant institution to be designated by the Institute;

N.B Make sure that on the page that bears the seal of your sponsor there must not be any error/s that needs edition.

1.10 The application must be submitted at least 15 days prior to the expected date of export.

For further details and assistance, please contact us using the following addresses:

ኢ-ሜይል፡ info@ebi.gov.et

Tel: +251-11-6612244

Fax: +251-11-6613722

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

3. Genetic Material Import Permit

To facilitate the import of any genetic resource there are certain additional requirements that the permit applicant needs to fulfill. These are:-

2.1 Official letter from the import requesting organization

2.2 A revised and authenticated copy of the Research proposal (not more than 15 pages) – with brief introduction, objective/s, expected outcomes and the benefit of the research to Ethiopia.

2.3 In the official letter, the person/Institute responsible for the research, local and scientific name of the species that needs to be imported, amount of sample in grams/kilograms/packs etc, the country from where the material is imported, total number of accessions/samples and purpose of the research need to be mentioned.

2.4 The passport data and/or pedigree information of the samples needs to be attached with the official request letter.

2.5 Five (5) copies of signed MTA by the importing organization and/or the researcher need to be produced along with the official letter for faster facilitation process.

2.6 The Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) will be made between the importing organization and EBI.

2.7 Although the general structure of the MTA is similar, the specific contents vary depending on the research objective, expected outcome, amount required, country, etc. For this, it is advisable if you copy the MTA format attached MTA Import Template (MS word) and fill/edit the format depending on your requirement.

2.8 Official letter that shows the material is free from GMO and invasive alien species.

2.9 The application must be submitted at least 15 days prior to the expected date of import.

Useful Links: Access and Benefit Sharing Proclamation

መነሻ | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7

For further details and assistance, please contact us using the following addresses:

Genetic Resources Transfer and Regulation Directorate

Institute of Biodiversity Conservation

ኢ-ሜይል፡ info@ebi.gov.et

Tel: +251-11-6612244

Fax: +251-11-6613722

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Requirements to access Genetic Resources from EBI Gene bank for local research (in Ethiopia).

Users/Researchers need to have:

  1. official letter from your organization/institution;
  2. an attachment to the official letter that clearly describes germplasm /genetic resource required (example: scientific name of the species; quantity of accession; altitude; number of seeds required, etc.). This depends on your research need.
  3. clear statement on the letter that after completion of the research, you will submit feedback or the research finding to EBI; and
  4. a copy of your research proposal

Therefore, on condition that all the requirements (1-4) above are fulfilled, we can deliver the germplasm within 48 hours of request. Note that there are scientific procedures (acclimatization) that take us 48 hours to make ready the germplasm from the Gene bank.