Committee publication · Correspondence · 21 October 2025
Correspondence from Seema Malhotra MP, PUSS, FCDO regarding the Introduction of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Bill, dated 10 September 2025
From: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Inquiry: Animal and plant health
Summary
Seema Malhotra MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the FCDO, notifies the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee of the introduction of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Bill on 10 September 2025. The Bill enables UK implementation of UN BBNJ Agreement obligations and subsequent ratification, regulating marine genetic resources, area-based management tools, and environmental impact assessments in international waters to protect ocean biodiversity and support sustainable marine innovation.
Key findings
- The BBNJ Bill introduces requirements for UK researchers and institutions to notify, report, and deposit marine genetic resources (MGR) and digital sequence information (DSI) collected from areas beyond national jurisdiction, with biennial access reports mandated from repositories and databases.
- Government seeks powers to regulate UK activities in compliance with future Area-Based Management Tools (ABMTs) and marine protected areas established under the BBNJ Agreement, including emergency measures with time-limited Secretary of State direction powers for shipping.
- Environmental Impact Assessments will be required for UK activities in international waters that may cause substantial pollution or significant harmful changes to the marine environment, with powers to amend existing marine licensing regimes under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009.
- The Bill aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework target to conserve at least 30% of ocean by 2030 and supports UK ratification in time for the first Conference of the Parties meeting expected in 2026.
- Exemptions from notification requirements include fishing activities, military operations, incidentally collected MGR, and Antarctic material; repositories include the Natural History Museum and universities such as the National Oceanography Centre.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Seema Malhotra MP, Alastair Carmichael MP, Department for Transport, FCDO Ocean Policy Unit, Natural History Museum, National Oceanography Centre
Notable line
“Smooth passage through Parliament will ensure that we are able to ratify the BBNJ Agreement in time to make sure that the UK has a seat at the table and a voice in shaping the future of BBNJ processes at the first Conference of the Parties meeting, expected in”
Key Quotes
“The Bill marks a significant step forward in our shared ambition to protect marine biodiversity in the high seas — those vast areas beyond national jurisdiction that make up two-thirds of the global ocean.”
“The BBNJ Bill will help unlock innovation in marine science and biotechnology, ensuring fair and equitable access to the benefits of ocean discoveries – particularly for developing countries.”
“I would like to emphasise the need for momentum as we begin the passage of the Bill. Smooth passage through Parliament will ensure that we are able to ratify the BBNJ Agreement in time to make sure that the UK has a seat at the table and a voice in shaping the future of BBNJ processes at the first Conference of the Parties meeting, expected in”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗