Implications for Industry of Field and Facility Investigations

Conclusions

It is important that the visited State Party has the right to make the final decision about the extent of access to the facility bearing in mind the obligation of the State Party to demonstrate compliance in some other way should access be denied. This right is important in order to protect commercially sensitive information. Another concern relates to the length of time necessary to complete an analysis of a sample. Industry is concerned about analysis because of the danger that information about valuable strains may be lost. If protection of these strains can be assured perhaps industry might be more inclined to accept off-site analysis.

Finally, although investigations are a highly political measure they are effective deterrent tools which are essential elements of a legally binding instrument to strengthen the BTWC. They are unlikely to occur frequently as they will only be carried out when there is compelling evidence.