International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

Abstract

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture deals with access and benefit sharing from utilization of plant germplasm. The Treaty is taken care by FAO and innacted since 29 June 2004. The objectives of this treaty are the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of their use, in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity, for sustainable agriculture and food security. The mechanism for access and benefit sharing is provided the multilateral system. The contracting parties recognize the sovereign rights of the states over their own plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, including the authority to determine access to those resources in respect to national law and national legislation. The multilateral system covers 64 items in ex situ collection of the plant genetic resources for food and agriculture that are managed and controlled by the contracting parties. This includes those held in the ex situ collection in all international genebanks. Access shall be provided only for utilization and conservation research, breeding and training for food and agriculture. Access and exchange of germplasm are facilitated through a standard material transfer agreement. The benefit arising from the use of plant genetic resources shall be fairly and equitably shared through access and transfer of technology or in monetary form. The monetary benefit is highly prioritized to be allocated to farmers in developing countries.