| CL 116/INF/8
|
| CL 116/INF/8
|
Hundred and Sixteenth Session |
Rome, 14-19 June 1999 |
NEGOTIATIONS ON THE
INTERNATIONAL UNDERTAKING ON PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE:
|
Note: For reasons of economy, Appendix J to the Report of the Eighth
Session of the
Commission is not included in the current document.
II. Election of the Chair and Vice-Chairs
III. The International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources
VI. Consideration of FAO's Policies, Programmes, and Activities on Agricultural Biodiversity
VII. International Cooperation in the Field of Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
VIII. Future Work of the Commission
Appendices
(a) Agenda of the Eighth Session of the Commission
(b) Members of the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
(c) List of Participants in the Montreux Meeting (19-22 January 1999)
(d) Membership of the Contact Group
(f) Chairman's Elements derived from the Montreux Meeting
(h) List of Organizations that presented Reports to the Eighth Session of the Commission
(j) List of Delegates to the Eighth Session of the Commission
1. The Eighth Session of the Commission on Genetic
Resources for Food and Agriculture met in Rome, Italy, from 19-23 April 1999. A list of
delegates and observers is attached as
Appendix J.
2. Mr. Fernando Gerbasi (Venezuela), Chair of the Commission, opened the meeting and welcomed the delegates and observers. He stressed the important work that would be undertaken by the Commission during the session, noting, in particular, the need to advance its work on the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources.
3. Mr. David Harcharik, Deputy Director-General, welcomed the delegates and observers, noting that eight new members (Cambodia, Comoros, Fiji, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar and Seychelles) had joined the Commission, since its last session in 1997, bringing the total membership in the Commission to 161. The list of members of the Commission is attached as Appendix B. Mr. Harcharik noted that the Commission would, for the first time, address substantive matters regarding the conservation and sustainable use of animal genetic resources, as well as further consider implementation of the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Based on the results of the informal meeting in Montreux (Switzerland), in January 1999, Mr. Harcharik noted the need for progress at the Session in advancing negotiations for the revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources, in order to complete the negotiations for the FAO Conference in November 1999, stressing that completion of the Undertaking would be a significant milestone in international cooperation. He recognized the generous contribution of the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom, in providing financial assistance to support the participation of the developing countries in the current Session of the Commission.
II. ELECTION OF THE CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIRS
4. In order to maintain continuity in the negotiation of the Undertaking, the Commission re-elected Mr. Fernando Gerbasi (Venezuela) as Chair, and retained the composition of the Bureau, which consists of the Chair and Vice-Chairs: Mr. Tewolde G. Egziabher (Ethiopia), Mr. Eng Siang Lim (Malaysia), Mr. Mohammad Taeb (Iran), Mr. Gert Kleijer (Switzerland), Ms. Kristiane Herrmann (Australia), and Mr. Ronald Rose (Canada). Ms. Isabelle Cl�ment-Nissou (France) was elected Rapporteur. The Chairman asked regional groups to nominate friends of the Rapporteur.
5. The Commission adopted the Agenda, as given in Appendix A.
III. THE INTERNATIONAL UNDERTAKING ON PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES
6. The Chairman noted that, following the Fourth and Fifth Extraordinary Sessions of the Commission, in 1997 and 1998 respectively, given that there was a desire among countries to complete the negotiations as soon as possible, the FAO Council, at its meeting in November 1998, had unanimously supported his proposal to convene an informal meeting, which was held in Montreux, Switzerland, in January 1999. (The list of participants is given in Appendix C). This meeting was very productive, and the results of the meeting were available to the Commission in the Report of the Chairman of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture on the status of negotiations for the revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources, in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity.1 The Chairman thanked the Governments of Switzerland, the United States of America and Germany, for their financial support for that meeting.
7. The Chairman's Elements derived from that meeting (Appendix F) were incorporated into the appropriate Articles of the Composite Draft Text for the revision of the International Undertaking incorporating the Chairman's Elements.2 The Commission agreed to establish a Contact Group, to continue negotiations for the revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources, using the Composite Draft Text as the basis for the negotiations. Mr. F. Gerbasi chaired the Contact Group. (The membership of the Contact Group is listed in Appendix D). The Commission agreed to work on the rest of the agenda in parallel. The Vice-Chair, Mr. R. Rose, chaired the Plenary, while the Contact Group was in session.
8. The Chairman reported to the Commission during the final Plenary, that the Contact Group had undertaken wide-ranging discussions of Articles 11 (Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-sharing), 12 (Coverage of the Multilateral System), 13 (Facilitated Access within the Multilateral System) and 15 (Farmers' Rights), and that it had established texts for Articles 11, 12 and 15. These Articles were reviewed by the Commission, and are attached as Appendix E. The Commission noted that, in discussing Article 13, it had been agreed to integrate Annex II of the Composite Draft Text into the text of the Articles. The Commission recognized the very significant progress that had been made, and thanked the members of the Contact Group for their efforts. It expressed great appreciation for the commitment and skilful leadership of the Chairman.
9. The Commission considered the Report of the First Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, which had met from 8-10 September 1998, to further develop the Global Strategy for the Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources. Ms. Elzbieta Martyniuk (Poland), the Chair of the Working Group, presented its Report3 to the Commission, noting that it already had been endorsed by the FAO Committee on Agriculture (COAG).
10. The Commission noted that animal genetic resources are of crucial importance in sustainable utilization in many production systems, and are essential components in achieving global food security and rural development. The Commission welcomed the Report of the Working Group, and its three recommendations. In particular, it recognized the work already done by countries, stakeholders and non-governmental organizations in animal genetic resource management, and the work already done by FAO in developing the animal genetic resources global strategy, and agreed that FAO should continue to shape more clearly the framework, and further develop the constituent elements, of this Global Strategy, in consultation with countries.
11. The Commission agreed that work on animal genetic resources is a core activity, and thus that FAO should provide adequate Regular Programme budgetary funds to develop the constituents of the Global Strategy. If necessary, extra-budgetary support should be sought from all sources, to assist in building capacities and enabling regional and national level characterization, in situ and ex situ conservation, and the sustainable utilization of farm animal genetic resources.
12. The Commission recognized the important role of National Focal Points and urged countries that had not already done so to designate National Focal Points/Coordinators, and, where appropriate, Regional Focal Points. It emphasized the role of Focal Points in coordinating and facilitating activities at the national and regional levels. The Commission noted that some countries were actively supporting the establishment of Regional Focal Points, and these countries reported the progress achieved in this direction.
13. The Commission agreed that FAO should coordinate the development of a country-driven Report on the State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources. The process should be consultative and cost-effective. The Secretariat of the Commission reported that extra-budgetary funds would be required to carry out this work.
14. The Commission requested the Secretariat to collect existing information on capacity-building projects and networks, at the regional and country levels, and to utilize the networks for future activities on animal genetic resources.
15. The Commission considered a Progress Report on the implementation of the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture,4 adopted in Leipzig, Germany, in June 1996, and noted that, while there had been significant progress, much remains to be done at local, national, and international levels. It noted that national, regional and international governmental and non-governmental organizations were using the Global Plan of Action as a framework for planning their activities, as it provides a useful tool for work on the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. The important role of regional plant genetic resources for food and agriculture networks in promoting implementation of the Global Plan of Action was underlined.
16. The Commission emphasized the need for countries and organizations to strengthen particular activities, in order to promote balanced implementation of the Global Plan of Action. The Commission highlighted increased efforts on on-farm management, and in situ and ex situ conservation, with links to national collections. The Commission recognized the need to develop mechanisms for early warning on threats to plant genetic resources, and to increase capacities to promote the regeneration of plant genetic resources.
17. The Commission noted the need for greater transparency in financing the implementation activities of the Global Plan of Action, and that monitoring implementation of the Global Plan of Action was important for efficient resource-utilization. The Commission requested FAO to provide additional information regarding the basis of cost estimates for implementing the Global Plan of Action. The Commission noted that possible institutional mechanisms, and policy issues, were being considered in the context of the negotiations for the revision of the International Undertaking. The Commission encouraged FAO to develop its normative activities, and to facilitate implementation, through, for example, the development of case studies and guidelines, advice to countries on establishing national programmes and plans, capacity-building and support to community plant genetic resources for food and agriculture management. The Commission stressed the need to draw upon the experience of countries, and for FAO's work to be developed in cooperation with the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, other International Agriculture Research Centres of the Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research (CGIAR), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, other international organizations, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and funding agencies. The Commission underlined the need for FAO to allocate adequate resources from its Regular Budget, to support the tasks of monitoring and facilitating the implementation of the Global Plan of Action.
18. The Commission noted that regional meetings had facilitated the preliminary assessment of the state of implementation of the Global Plan of Action. One region expressed its disappointment that no consultation had been convened in its region. Several delegations from the Latin America and Caribbean Region expressed their dissatisfaction with the way in which the regional meeting to promote implementation of the Global Plan of Action in this region had been convened. They urged FAO to ensure that, in future, invitations to such meetings be directed through appropriate government channels. National Focal Points were invited to provide written comments to the Secretariat on the reporting format and indicators. Countries were encouraged to identify, confirm or re-designate National Focal Points as soon as possible. The Commission considered that it would be desirable if the reports on the implementation of the Global Plan of Action could also contribute to, and be consistent with, the assessments on agrobiodiversity to be reported by FAO to the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
19. The Commission agreed that a second Report on the State of the World's Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and amendment to the Global Plan of Action, should be considered by the Commission after the completion of the negotiations for the revision of the International Undertaking. It was suggested that, in the longer term, a Report on the State of Agricultural Biodiversity might be envisaged.
20. The Commission welcomed the Progress Report on the World Information and Early Warning System (WIEWS)5 and the external review of the WIEWS, and suggested that the WIEWS should be developed in a simple and cost-effective way, building on existing databases. The Commission also expressed its appreciation for the follow-up action already taken by the Secretariat.
21. The Commission expressed satisfaction with the placing of the coconut genetic resources of the International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT) in the International Network of Ex Situ Collections under the Auspices of FAO.6
VI. CONSIDERATION OF FAO'S POLICIES, PROGRAMMES AND
ACTIVITIES ON AGRICULTURAL BIODIVERSITY
22. The Commission welcomed the overview presented on FAO's activities in the field of genetic resources for food and agriculture.7 The Commission agreed that it has an important role in helping establish FAO's future work on activities related to genetic resources. Where FAO activities integrate plant, animal, fisheries and forestry genetic resources, reports should be presented to the Commission for general information and consideration.
23. The Commission agreed that FAO's current and future work on crop and farm animal genetic resources should concentrate on core normative work. Reference was made to the importance of promoting and coordinating national and regional cooperation, and of support to national programmes in capacity-building, training, legal assistance and socio-economic aspects, including development of analytical tools to measure the value of genetic resources. The Commission underlined the importance of utilizing interdisciplinary capabilities in carrying out its work on genetic resources.
VII. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF
GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
24. The Commission welcomed the reports from international intergovernmental organizations, CGIAR centres, non-governmental organizations, and other organizations on their policies, programmes and activities,8 as well as the FAO report on cooperation with the Secretariat for the Convention on Biological Diversity.9 The full list of organizations presenting reports to the Commission is contained in Appendix H. The Commission considered it important to continue to receive reports from these and other organizations. The Commission also suggested that, in the future, it receive reports from multilateral development banks, the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Programme on Man and Biosphere, on their activities that are relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources for food and agriculture.
25. The Commission stressed the importance of FAO's continued collaboration with relevant international organizations and institutions, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the CGIAR System, and agreed that FAO should continue to strengthen collaboration among relevant international organizations in monitoring and preparing reports on genetic resources for food and agriculture. The Commission also welcomed the hosting by FAO of the Secretariat of the National Agricultural Research Systems, within the framework of the recently established Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR). One country underlined the important work of the CGIAR System, and expressed the need for better consistency between the management of its collections, and the provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the International Undertaking.
VIII. FUTURE WORK OF THE COMMISSION
26. The Commission agreed that the highest priority for its work should continue to be the completion of the negotiations for the revision of the International Undertaking. It gave high priority to its work on animal genetic resources, and agreed that adequate FAO Regular Programme resources should be allocated to these areas.
27. Some countries and all regions stressed the need to bring the negotiations for the revision of the International Undertaking to a rapid conclusion, and some were of a view that it should be possible to adopt the International Undertaking at the Thirtieth Session of the FAO Conference, in November 1999.
28. The Commission stressed the need to build upon the considerable progress that had been made, with a view to submitting the revised International Undertaking to the Governing Bodies of FAO as soon as possible. The Commission decided to authorize the Chairman to convene, in consultation with the Director-General, further sessions of the Contact Group, as required, subject to the availability of funding, to advance the negotiations, on the basis of the Chairman's Elements derived from the Montreux meeting, which are in Appendix F, and that, when he believed that a point had been reached where the Commission might adopt the final text, he then request the Director-General to convene an Extraordinary Session of the Commission, so that the results might, at the very latest, be submitted to the 119th Session of the Council, in November 2000. The Commission recognized that this process would require extrabudgetary funds, both for the convening of meetings, and to facilitate the participation of developing countries, and appealed for donors to provide adequate resources for this whole process.
29. The Commission stressed the importance of facilitating and monitoring implementation of the Global Plan of Action, and recognized the central role of FAO in this regard. It emphasized the importance of national plans and programmes for both animal and plant genetic resources, and noted that FAO had an important role in capacity-building.
30. The Commission elected the members, for the next biennium, of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources, and of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources (Appendix G).
31. The Commission agreed that its Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources meet during the next biennium, in order to clarify the framework, and better define and prioritize the constituent elements of the Global Strategy. It requested the Working Group to review activities and progress in the implementation of the Global Strategy. Noting the urgent need for guidelines to assist country participation in the preparation of the first Report on the State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources, the Commission requested that the guidelines be developed in consultation with countries, and be reviewed by the Working Group. Noting that erosion of animal genetic resources was occurring, and was a threat to global food security, the Commission agreed that the Working Group investigate ways and means for international cooperation and collaboration, to address the loss of animal genetic resources, and their better use and development.
32. In view of the fact that no meeting of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources had been held in the past biennium, the Commission agreed that, subject to the availability of resources, the Working Group should meet during the next biennium to guide the implementation and review of the Global Plan of Action, in particular: (i) defining the reporting format and indicators for monitoring the implementation of the Global Plan of Action; (ii) guiding the development of the second Report on the State of the World's Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (once the negotiations for the revised International Undertaking have been completed); and (iii) guiding the further development of the World Information and Early Warning System on Plant Genetic Resources.
33. The Commission highlighted the important role of women in the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources. The Commission noted the substantial ongoing work of FAO on forest and fishery genetic resources, and considered it important to continue to receive reports in these sectors. However, in view of current priorities, and noting that these subjects are being considered by the Committee on Forestry (COFO) and the Committee on Fisheries (COFI), the Commission reiterated that its broadened mandate in these sectors would be implemented progressively.
34. The Commission noted the important developments in biotechnology/genetechnology as they relate to the conservation and use of genetic resources for food and agriculture, and requested the Secretariat to continue to report on these matters. It also requested the Secretariat to provide, to its Ninth Session, a report on the status of the draft Code of Conduct on Biotechnology as it relates to Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and the International Code of Conduct for Plant Germplasm Collecting and Transfer, so that the Commission could consider what action to take in the future on these Codes of Conduct, in the light of the revised International Undertaking. In addition, the Commission recognized that future developments with respect to a biosafety protocol, and ongoing activities in FAO relating to biotechnology, could influence its future work in this area.
AGENDA OF THE EIGHTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION
19-23 April 1999
1. Election of the Chair and Vice-Chairs
2. Adoption of the Agenda and timetable for the session
3. Revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources
4. Animal Genetic Resources
4.1 Report of the first session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
4.2 Development of the Global Strategy for the Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources
4.3 Future work of the Working Group, and election of its members
5. Plant Genetic Resources
5.1 Progress Report on the Global System for the Conservation and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and the implementation, monitoring and review of the Global Plan of Action
5.2 Future work of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and election of its members
6. Consideration of FAO's policies, programmes and activities on genetic resources for food and agriculture
7. International Cooperation in the field of genetic resources for food and agriculture, and cooperation with the Convention on Biological Diversity
8. Reports from International Organizations on their policies, programmes and activities on agricultural biological diversity
9. Future work of the Commission
10. Other business
11. Date and place of the next session
12. Adoption of the Report
MEMBERS OF THE FAO COMMISSION ON GENETIC RESOURCES
FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE (April 1999)
AFRICA Algeria* |
ASIA AND THE SOUTH WEST PACIFIC Australia* NEAR EAST Afghanistan |
EUROPE Albania |
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN Antigua and Barbuda* NORTH AMERICA Canada |
A total of 160 countries and the European Community are members of the Commission.
* The countries marked with an asterisk are members of the Commission that have adhered to the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources, to which four non-member countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Liechtenstein and Russia) have also adhered. In total, 113 countries have adhered to the International Undertaking.
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS IN THE MONTREUX MEETING
19-22 January 1999
| ANGOLA Mme. Elizabeth MATOS Pr�sident Comit� national des ressources phytog�n�tiques ARGENTINA AUSTRALIA BRAZIL BURKINA FASO CANADA COLOMBIA ETHIOPIA MALAYSIA NETHERLANDS NORWAY POLAND SOUTH AFRICA |
EUROPEAN COMMUNITY M. Gerasimos APOSTOLATOS Administrateur principal DG VI-B-11.1 FAO Mr. Gerald MOORE Mr. Jos� ESQUINAS ALC�ZAR Mr. Clive STANNARD FRANCE GERMANY INDIA IPGRI IRAN JAPAN SWITZERLAND UNITED STATES OF AMERICA * replaced on the last days by Ms. Vonda K. DELAWIE, Political Economics Officer, U.S. Permanent Mission to FAO in Rome. VENEZUELA |
MEMBERS OF THE CONTACT GROUP
AT THE EIGHTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION
| Angola Argentina Australia Benin Brazil Burkina Faso Canada China Colombia Cuba European Community Ethiopia Finland France Germany India Iran, Islamic Republic of Japan Korea, Republic of Libya Malaysia |
Malta Mexico Morocco Netherlands New Zealand Norway Philippines Poland Samoa Senegal South Africa Switzerland Tanzania, United Republic of United Kingdom Uruguay United States of America Venezuela Zambia Zimbabwe |
TEXT FOR ARTICLES 11, 12 AND 15, ESTABLISHED BY THE CONTACT GROUP DURING THE EIGHTH REGULAR SESSION OF THE COMMISSION
PART IV - MULTILATERAL SYSTEM OF ACCESS AND BENEFIT-SHARING
Article 11 - Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-sharing
11.1 In their relationships with other States, Parties recognize the sovereign rights of States over their own plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, including that the authority to determine access to those resources rests with national governments and is subject to national legislation.
11.2 In exercise of their sovereign rights, Parties agree to establish a multilateral system, which is efficient, effective, and transparent, to facilitate access to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, and to share, in a fair and equitable way, the benefits arising from the utilization of these resources.
Article 12 - Coverage of the Multilateral System10
12.1 In furtherance of the objectives of conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of their use, as stated in Article 1, the multilateral system shall cover the plant genetic resources for food and agriculture listed in Annex I, established according to criteria of food security and interdependence.11
[12.2 The multilateral system shall also cover:
(a) material held in ex situ collections by International Agricultural Research Centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research12 [international centres]13 that accept the provisions of [Annex V to] this Undertaking;
[(b) material held in collections of other international institutions that accept the provisions of this Undertaking, and with the agreement of the Governing Body of this Undertaking.]14
12.3 The Governing Body15 shall keep Annex I under periodic review as well as Annexes II, III and IV on the conditions of access, benefit-sharing and financial resources respectively, taking into account the inter-relationship among those annexes.]
PART V - FARMERS' RIGHTS
Article 15 - Farmers' Rights
15.1 The Parties recognize the enormous contribution that the local and indigenous communities and farmers of all regions of the world, particularly those in the centres of origin and crop diversity, have made and will continue to make for the conservation and development of plant genetic resources which constitute the basis of food and agriculture production throughout the world.
15.2 The Parties agree that the responsibility for realizing Farmers' Rights, as they relate to Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, rests with national governments. In accordance with their needs and priorities, each Party should, as appropriate, and subject to its national legislation, take measures to protect and promote Farmers' Rights, including:
(a) protection of traditional knowledge relevant to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture;
(b) the right to equitably participate in sharing benefits arising from the utilization of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture;
(c) the right to participate in making decisions, at the national level, on matters related to the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
15.3 Nothing in this Article shall be interpreted to limit any rights that farmers have to save, use, exchange and sell farm-saved seed/propagating material, subject to national law and as appropriate.
CHAIRMAN'S ELEMENTS DERIVED FROM THE MONTREUX MEETING
1. Scope: Plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA).
2. Objectives: Conservation and use of PGRFA, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of PGRFA, in harmony with the CBD, for sustainable agriculture and food security.
3. National commitments towards conservation and sustainable use, national programmes integrated into agriculture and rural development policies.
4. Multilateral System, including components for facilitated access and benefit-sharing.
Coverage
- A list of crops, established on the criteria of food security and interdependence, and
- The collections of the IARCs, on terms to be accepted by the IARCs.
Facilitated access
- To minimize transaction costs, obviate the need to track individual accessions, and ensure expeditious access, in accordance with applicable property regimes.
- Plant genetic resources in the multilateral system may be used in research, breeding and/or training, for food and agriculture only. For other uses (chemical, pharmaceutical, non-food and agricultural industrial uses, etc.), mutually agreed arrangements under the CBD will apply.
- Access for non-Parties shall be in accordance with terms to be established in the IU.
Equitable and fair sharing of benefits
- Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of PGRFA, inter alia, through:
- transfer of technology,
- capacity-building,
- the exchange of information, and
- funding,
taking into account the priorities in the rolling GPA, under the guidance of the Governing Body.
- Benefits should flow primarily, directly and indirectly, to farmers in developing countries, embodying traditional lifestyles relevant for the conservation and sustainable utilization of PGRFA.
Supporting components
- Information system(s).
- PGRFA networks.
- Partnership in research and technology development.
5. Farmers' rights
6. Financial resources
Commitment to a funding strategy for the implementation of the IU, which includes:
- budget and contributions to manage the operations of the Governing Body/Secretariat etc. (Some of their activities could be delegated.);
- agreed and predictable contributions to implement agreed plans and programmes, in particular in developing countries, from sources such as:
- CGIAR, GEF, plus ODA, IFAD, CFC, NGOs, etc., for project funding
- Country contributions
- Private sector
- Other contributions.
- national allocations to implement national PGRFA programmes, according to national priorities.
- priority will be given to implementation of the rolling GPA, in particular in support of Farmers' Rights in developing countries.
7. Legally-binding instrument
- Governing Body,
- Policy direction, and adoption of budgets, plans and programmes,
- Monitoring the implementation of the IU,
- Periodically reviewing, and, as necessary, updating and amending the elements of the IU and its annexes,
- Secretariat.
8. Provisions for amending the International Undertaking and updating and revising its annexes.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP ON ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE,
AND
MEMBERSHIP OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP ON PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
ELECTED AT THE EIGHTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION
| Composition (no. of countries per region) | Country |
| Africa (5) |
Botswana Congo, Republic of Madagascar Mali Tunisia |
| Asia (5) |
China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia |
| Europe (5) |
Denmark France Netherlands Poland Slovenia |
| Latin America and the Caribbean (5) |
Argentina Bolivia Brazil Uruguay Venezuela |
| Near East (3) |
Egypt Iran, Islamic Republic of Sudan |
| North America (2) |
Canada United States of America |
| Southwest Pacific (2) |
New Zealand Samoa |
| Composition (no. of countries per region) | Country |
| Africa (5) |
Angola Democratic Republic of Congo Ethiopia Morocco Senegal |
| Asia (5) |
India Indonesia Japan
|
Europe (5) |
Germany Italy Malta Norway Portugal |
| Latin America and the Caribbean (5) |
Chile Colombia Dominica Ecuador Mexico |
| Near East (3) |
Egypt Iran, Islamic Republic of Libya |
| North America (2) |
Canada United States of America |
| Southwest Pacific (2) |
Australia Papua New Guinea |
LIST OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT PRESENTED REPORTS TO
THE EIGHTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION
United Nations and other Intergovernmental organizations:
The Asian Development Bank (AsDB)
The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA)
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
The International Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences (CABI)
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
The International Office of Epizootics (OIE)
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
The World Bank
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
International Non-governmental Organizations
The Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW)
The European Association for Animal Production (EAAP)
The Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG)
The International Association of Plant Breeders (ASSINSEL)
The International Centre for Underutilized Crops (ICUC)
The International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR)
The International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO)
The Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI)
The World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC)
International Agricultural Research Centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
The Consultative Group's report was prepared by the System-wide Genetic Resources Programme (SGRP) consolidating information provided by the individual International Agricultural Research Centres (IARCs):
CIAT (Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical)
CIFOR (Centre for International Forestry Research)
CIMMYT (Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Ma�z y Trigo)
CIP (Centro Internacional de la Papa)
ICARDA (International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas)
ICLARM (International Centre for Living Aquatic Resources Management)
ICRAF (International Centre for Research in Agroforestry)
ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics)
IFPRI (International Food Policy Research Institute)
IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture)
ILRI (International Livestock Research Institute)
IPGRI (International Plant Genetic Resources Institute)
IRRI (International Rice Research Institute)
ISNAR (International Service for National Agricultural Research)
WARDA (West Africa Rice Development Association)
LIST OF DOCUMENTS
Working Documents
| CGRFA-8/99/1 | Draft provisional agenda |
| CGRFA-8/99/1.Add.1 | Provisional annotated agenda |
| CGRFA-8/99/1.Add.2 | Provisional timetable |
| CGRFA-8/99/2 | Report of the First Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture |
| CGRFA-8/99/3 | Progress report on the implementation of the Global Plan of Action on Plant Genetic Resources |
| CGRFA-8/99/4 | Financing the implementation of the Global Plan of Action on Plant Genetic Resources |
| CGRFA-8/99/5 | Facilitating and monitoring the implementation of the Global Plan of Action on Plant Genetic Resources |
| CGRFA-8/99/6 | Progress report on the World Information and Early Warning System on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture |
| CGRFA-8/99/7 | Progress report on the International Network of Ex Situ Collections under the Auspices of FAO |
| CGRFA-8/99/8 | Possible formulas for the sharing of benefits based on different benefit-indicators |
| CGRFA-8/99/9 | Revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources: legal and institutional options |
| CGRFA-8/99/10.1 | Report from FAO on its policies, programmes and activities on
agricultural biological diversity: (1) Sectorial matters |
| CGRFA-8/99/10.2 | Report from FAO on its policies, programmes and activities on
agricultural biological diversity: (2) Cross-sectorial matters |
| CGRFA-8/99/11.1 | Reports from International Organizations on their policies, programmes
and activities on agricultural biological diversity: (1) United Nations and other Intergovernmental Organizations |
| CGRFA-8/99/11.2 | Reports from International Organizations on their policies, programmes
and activities on agricultural biological diversity: (2) International Agricultural Research Centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) |
| CGRFA-8/99/11.3 | Reports from International Organizations on their policies, programmes
and activities on agricultural biological diversity: (3) International non-governmental organizations |
| CGRFA-8/99/11 Add.1 | Reports from International Organizations on their policies, programmes
and activities on agricultural biological diversity: (4) Inputs arrived too late for translation |
| CGRFA-8/99/12 | Cooperation with the Convention on Biological Diversity |
| CGRFA-8/99/13 | Report of the Chairman of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture on the status of negotiations for the revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources, in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity |
| CGRFA-8/99/13 Annex | Composite Draft Text for the revision of the International Undertaking incorporating the Chairman's Elements |
| CGRFA/IUND/CNT/Rev.1 | Revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources: Consolidated Negotiating Text resulting from the deliberations during the Fifth Extraordinary Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture |
| CGRFA/WG-AnGR-1/98/2 | Identification of the various components of the Global Strategy for the Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources and preparation of a multi-year workplan |
| CGRFA/WG-AnGR-1/98/3 | The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture |
| CGRFA/WG-AnGR-1/98/Inf.1 (English, French and Spanish) |
Report of the Panel of Experts on the Development of the Global Strategy for the Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources |
| CGRFA- 8/99/Inf.1 (Multilingual: English, French and Spanish) |
Membership of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources elected at the Seventh Session of the Commission |
| CGRFA- 8/99/Inf.2 (Multilingual: English, French and Spanish) |
Membership of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources elected at the Seventh Session of the Commission |
| CGRFA- 8/99/Inf.3 (English) |
Exploring options for the list approach within the multilateral system of facilitated germplasm exchange within the revised International Undertaking - report of an informal workshop of experts convoked by the `Istituto Agronomico per l'Oltremare', on behalf of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Florence, 1-3 October 1998 |
| CGRFA- 8/99/Inf.4 | Report of the Fifteenth Session of the Committee on Agriculture (25-29 January 1999) |
| CGRFA- 8/99/Inf.5 (English) |
Report of the External Review of the World Information and Early Warning System on Plant Genetic Resources (16-26 September 1997) |
| CGRFA- 8/99/Inf.6 (English) |
Agreement between the Government of India, the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), placing coconut germplasm collections under the auspices of FAO |
| CGRFA- 8/99/Inf.7 (English) |
Crop-related networks, supported by FAO |
| CGRFA- 8/99/Inf.8 Multilingual |
Field programme activities in 1997-1998 with genetic resources components |
| CGRFA- 8/99/Inf.9 |
Background documentation provided by the International Association of Plant Breeders for the Protection of Plant Varieties (ASSINSEL) |
| CGRFA- 8/99/Inf.10 (English, French and Spanish) |
Report of the 10th session of the Panel of Experts on Forest Gene Resources, 9-11 September 1997 |
| CGRFA- 8/99/Inf.11 (English) |
Biosafety issues related to biotechnologies for sustainable agriculture and food security |
| CGRFA- 8/99/Inf.12 (English) |
Sustaining agricultural biodiversity and agro-ecosystem functions -
opportunities, incentives and approaches for the conservation and sustainable use of
agricultural biodiversity in agro-ecosystems and production systems. International technical workshop organized jointly by the FAO and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, with the support of the Government of the Netherlands. Rome, 2-4 December 1998. |
| CGRFA- 8/99/Inf.13 (English) |
Background documentation provided by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture |
| CGRFA- 8/99/Inf.14 | Background documentation provided by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity to the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture |
| CGRFA- 8/99/Inf.15 |
Background documentation provided by the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) to the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture |
| CGRFA- 8/99/Inf.16 (English) |
Report of the International Workshop on Developing Institutional Agreements and Capacity to Assist Farmers in Disaster Situations to Restore Agricultural Systems and Seed Security Activities. Rome, Italy, 3-5 November, 1998 |
| CGRFA- 8/99/Inf.17 (English) |
Developing seed security strategies and programmes for food security in developing countries. Position paper presented to the "International Workshop on Seed Security for Food Security", Florence, Italy, 30 November-1 December 1997 |
| CGRFA- 8/99/Inf.18 | Statement of competence and voting rights submitted by the European Community and its Member States |
| CGRFA- 8/99/Inf.19 | List of documents |
| CGRFA- 8/99/Inf.20 (English) |
Broadening the genetic base of crops: statement developed by the participants in the informal preparatory workshop: "Broadening the genetic bases of crop production" - FAO, Rome, Italy, 17-20 September 1997. |
| CGRFA- 8/99/Inf.21 | List of Delegates and Observers |
| Background Study Paper No. 8 (English) |
Access to plant genetic resources and intellectual property rights |
| Background Study Paper No.9 (English) |
Recent developments in biotechnology as they relate to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture |
| Background Study Paper No. 10 (English) |
Recent developments in biotechnology as they relate to animal genetic resources for food and agriculture |
Available at desk, on request
| Reports of the Regional Meetings to promote the implementation of the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture: | ||
| West and Central Africa | February 1998 | English and French |
| East and Southern Africa | May 1998. | English |
| West and Central Asia and North Africa | June 1998 | English |
| Europe | June/July 1998 | English |
| Latin America and the Caribbean | September 1998 | Spanish |
| Asia-Pacific | December 1998 | English
|
|
| CGRFA-Ex5/98/REP | Report of the Fifth Extraordinary Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome, 8-12 June 1998 |
| CGRFA- Ex5/98/Inf.1 | Technical aspects involved in developing a List of Crops for the Multilateral System within the revised International Undertaking. |
| CGRFA-Ex5/98/Inf.1/Annex | Relevant characteristics of the crops and genera in the Tentative List of Crops annexed to Article 11 of the Consolidated Negotiating Text. |
| CGRFA- Ex5/98/Inf.2 | Anthology of definitions that might be pertinent for the revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources. |
| CGRFA-Ex4/97/REP | Report of the Fourth Extraordinary Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome, 1-5 December 1997. |
| CGRFA/IUND/4 Rev.1 | Fourth Negotiating Text of the Intsernational Undertaking for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. |
| CGRFA-7/97/REP | Report of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Seventh Session. Rome, 15-23 May 1997. |
| CPGR-EX1/94/3 | Revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources. Mandate, context, background and proposed process. |
| CPGR-6/95/8 | Revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources. Issues for consideration in Stage II: access to plant genetic resources, and Farmers' Rights |
| CPGR-6/95/8 Supp. | Revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources. Analysis of some technical, economic and legal aspects for consideration in Stage II |
| CPGR-6/95/9 | Revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources. Stage III - Legal and institutional matters. |
| Without number | Access to plant genetic resources and the equitable sharing of benefits: a contribution to the debate on systems for the exchange of germplasm (document submitted by IPGRI). |
| CGRFA-Ex3/96/Lim/2 | Options for access to plant genetic resources and the equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use (document submitted by IPGRI). |
| Background Study Paper No. 1 (English) | The appropriation of the benefits of plant genetic resources for agriculture: an economic analysis of the alternative mechanisms for biodiversity conservation. |
| Background Study Paper No. 2 | Sovereign and property rights over plant genetic resources. |
| Background Study Paper No. 3 (English) | Providing Farmers' Rights through in situ conservation of crop genetic resources. |
| Background Study Paper No. 4 (English) | Identifying genetic resources and their origin: The capabilities and limitations of modern biochemical and legal systems. |
| Background Study Paper No. 5 | Information on ex situ collectioons maintained in botanic gardens. |
| Background Study Paper No. 6 (Spanish only with Summary in English and French) | Mejora gen�tica para mantener la diversidad en los cultivos agr�colas. |
| Background Study Paper No. 7 | Contribution to the estimation of countries' interdependence in the area of plant genetic resources. |
4 CGRFA-8/99/3, CGRFA-8/99/4 and CGRFA-8/99/5.
7 CGRFA-8/99/10.1 and CGRFA-8/99/10.2.
8 CGRFA-8/99/11.1, CGRFA-8/99/11.2, CGRFA-8/99/11.3, and CGRFA-8/99/11 Add 1.
10 For further consideration: the issues of the identification and of the end use of material in collections.
11 Adopted ad referendum, and pending the adoption of Article 21, including the issue of the adoption of annexes by consensus.
12 For further consideration: The CGIAR Centres shall respect the rights of countries that provide material or from which material is collected.
13 For further consideration: Specific Conditions shall apply to international centres other than CGIAR Centres.
15 In the text, the term "Governing Body" has been used to designate the intergovernmental body that will implement the revised International Undertaking as a legally binding instrument, without prejudice to the actual status of the instrument. See Article 17.
