Dear Participants

During the last 2 weeks we have received quite a number of interesting contributions. In this contribution I have tried to retrieve the knowledge gaps and research priorities that have been identified so far.

It is evident that the relationship between trade and biodiversity encompasses various different sectors. These include the connection between trade and invasive species or the issue of sustainable use of resources including the wildlife trade. The transport and tourism sectors are also intrinsically interlinked with the issue of trade and biodiversity.

So far the following research priorities have been identified in the relationship between biodiversity and trade:

- Identify the impacts of trade on resource management taking into account the fact that each specific management problem affecting biodiversity will need to be analysed case by case in order to determine the linkages between the key economic, ecological and institutional drivers;
- Better understand the principles and functioning of biological invasions in order to minimise the risks of non-native species transported unintentionally and unknowingly through trade activities;
- Develop reliable methods to detect living creatures in packing material;
- Understand the effects of selective removal of valuable species;
- Create a system for the traceability of genetic resources (for example barcodes);
- Elaborate strategies to better internalise the costs of biodiversity impacts of trade;
- Elaborate the principle of "consumer's environmental and social liability". An example was the inclusion of social costs arising from the cultivation of soybean in its final price;
- Understand how to translate biodiversity events into financial terms in order to allow for effective financial accountability;
- Understand how financial decisions impact on biodiversity;
- Understand the factors which will shape the present and future market for biodiversity outcomes:
a) Understand the unique characteristics of a market for biodiversity outcomes;
b) Understand the process to grow and sustain such a market;
- Investigate the impact of UNCTAD's BioTrade initiative;
- Understand the livelihood aspects of harvesting and trading in wildlife products;
- Investigate the role of transportation linked with trade activities and its impact on biodiversity;
- Investigate the specific and broad opportunities for biodiversity markets from knowledge of the properties of biodiversity products that may interest world markets to the best way to forge effective stakeholder partnerships;
- Understand consumer behaviour and market demand for goods and services derived directly or indirectly from biodiversity: How is the demand for biodiversity currently expressed? Who experiences this demand? Which factors will most influence this demand and its visibility? Who can increase and decrease the appetite for biodiversity? Or in marketing terms, how well does the offering of the brand "biodiversity" meet this demand?

In this last week I would like invite you to elaborate on these items. Of course any new contributions are very welcome.

Yours sincerely

Karin Zaunberger
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Karin Zaunberger
Scientific Officer
European Commission
DG RTD, I3-1
Management of Natural Resources and Services - Biodiversity Sector