With multiple meanings, biosecurity, or biosafety, can be defined differently in various disciplines. Nevertheless, the original definition of biosecurity is referred to as a set of preventive measures designed to ‘reduce the risk of transmission of infectious diseases in crops and livestock, quarantined pests, invasive alien species, and living modified organisms’ (Koblentz, 2010). When confronted with widespread distribution and the minimum tool requirement, exotic plant management in wilderness can be a serious obstacle to maintaining natural conditions (Kelson & Lilieholm, 1999). Another example is purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), which was introduced from Europe in the mid-1800s as a garden ornamental. The loosestrife has been widely spreading in North America, invading wetland habitats where it dominates native plants and deprives waterfowl and other species of food sources (Pimentel, Bach, Zuniga & Morrison, 1999).
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is an international agreement on biosafety as a supplement to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Protocol seeks to reduce the potential risks posed by genetically modified organisms (GMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology. It makes clear that all products from new technologies must be based on the precautionary principle. It allows countries to ban imports of GMOs if they feel there is not enough scientific evidence that the product is safe; and it requires exporters of that product to label shipments containing genetically altered commodities. The Protocol entered into force on 11 September 2003. As of March 2015, the Protocol had 170 parties, including 167 United Nations member states.