Agriculture: characterisation, collection and use of genetic resources, programme 2004-2006

PURPOSE : to complement the work of Member States on the conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of genetic resources in agriculture. LEGISLATIVE ACT : Council Regulation 870/2004/EC establishing a Community programme on the conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of genetic resources in agriculture and repealing Regulation 1467/94/EC. CONTENT : this Regulation establishes a Community programme for the period 2004 to 2006 to complement and promote, at Community level, the work undertaken in the Member States for the conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of genetic resources in agriculture. The programme promotes the ex situ and in situ conservation of genetic resources in agriculture (including in situ/on-farm conservation and development). This will cover all plant, microbial and animal genetic resources that are or could prove useful for agriculture and rural development, including forest genetic resources, in line with the needs of the CAP, with a view to conserving genetic resources and increasing the use of under-utilised breeds and varieties in agricultural production. The Community will complement and promote the efforts made in the Member States for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in agriculture. The Regulation promotes added value at Community level by concerting existing actions and supporting the development of new trans-border initiatives involving the conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of genetic resources in agriculture. The programme will comprise targeted actions, concerted actions and accompanying actions, as specified in the text of the Regulation. All actions must be in conformity with Community legislation on the phytostanitary, and animal health and zootechnical rules, on the marketing of seed and propagating material and on the common catalogue. Selection and implementation of measures under the new Community programme will take into account research, technological development and demonstration activities supported either at national level or under the relevant framework programmes of the European Community. The Community contribution to targeted actions will not exceed 50 % of the total cost of the action. The contribution to the concerted actions and accompanying actions will not exceed 80 % of the total cost of the action. A Community contribution of up to 100 % of the total cost of the assessment of proposals, technical assistance and evaluation of the Community programme will be allocated. The financial perspective heading 3 "Internal Policies" will contribute to the funding of actions and assistance undertaken under the Community programme in application of this Regulation. Finally, an indicative breakdown of the funds allocated to the Community programme is given in Annex II. ENTRY INTO FORCE : 07/05/04.�