Food and Agriculture : plant genetic resources, ratification of the FAO International Treaty, November 2001

PURPOSE : to conclude, on behalf of' the European Community, of the International Treaty on Plant

Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

LEGISLATIVE ACT : Council Decision 2004/869/EC.

CONTENT : the Council adopted a Decision concerning the conclusion, on behalf of the European Community, of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

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 Treaty foresees several actions to be undertaken by the contracting parties in order to eliminate threats to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, such as to survey and inventory plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, and to assist to local farmers and indigenous communities in the conservation of genetic resources and wild crops. The Treaty recognises the sovereign rights of States over their own plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and the necessity, among contracting parties, to share the benefits arising from the utilisation of these resources.