66. The representative of New Zealand said that her country had a high degree of endemic flora and fauna, and therefore her delegation had a strong interest in preventing the misappropriation of its genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. As a party to the CBD, New Zealand was committed to the effective implementation of its three objectives, including the third objective related to the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources. New Zealand also had a systemic interest in the stability of the patent system. Measures which prevented the granting of erroneous patents were critical to maintaining the integrity of that system. There was widespread agreement amongst Members over the need to prevent the misappropriation of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. There was, however, still much disagreement over the appropriate policy responses that would best achieve that objective.
67. New Zealand's domestic policy was still evolving in the area, but it was committed to engaging constructively in relevant international forums to address it. The IGC was undertaking a detailed consideration of the relationship between IP and genetic resources, as well as traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions. The IGC was currently working on the text of an international instrument or instruments on the protection of the three subject matters. New Zealand considered that the IGC was an appropriate forum to discuss in detail the IP issues relating to traditional knowledge and genetic resources because it was able to look at those issues in a holistic and coordinated way. New Zealand was active and constructive in the IGC and was committed to the fulfillment of the IGC mandate. She noted that the IGC had met in February 2012 with the focus on genetic resources issues and had agreed to a single draft text. While the draft text contained a number of divergent policy objectives and policy options, it was nonetheless a positive step forward.
