The presentation includes information on the ITPGRFA's objectives, the Nagoya Protcol and its comparison with the treaty. Further information on connecting Genomics and other type of information with the Global Information System are also available in the presentation. http://tiny.cc/FAO-COAG-GS http;//www.fao.org

1. Protecting plant biodiversity:
The ITPGRFA, genome sequencing and the relevance
to the Nagoya Protocol
Francisco López
Technical Officer, ITPGRFA, FAO
www.planttreaty.org

2. What are the Treaty’s objectives?
• International Legal ABS Instrument – FAO
• 140 Contracting Parties. Entered into force in 2004.
SCOPE:
• The conservation and sustainable use of all plant genetic
resources for food and agriculture
• The fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from
their use, in harmony with the Convention on Biological
Diversity, for sustainable agriculture and food security

3. http://www.planttreaty.org
• 3. This Protocol shall be implemented in a mutually supportive manner with other
international instruments relevant to this Protocol. […]
• 4. This Protocol is the instrument for the implementation of the access and benefit-
sharing provisions of the Convention. Where a specialized international access and
benefit-sharing instrument applies that is consistent with, and does not run counter to
the objectives of the Convention and this Protocol, this Protocol does not apply for
the Party or Parties to the specialized instrument in respect of the specific
genetic resource covered by and for the purpose of the specialized instrument.
• The Treaty has developed a memorandum of cooperation with the CBD and a
number of joint capacity building activities workshops and activities
The Nagoya Protocol and other International
Agreements and Instruments (Art. 4)

4. http://www.planttreaty.org
Access to genetic resources
under CBD- Nagoya Protocol
• Requires Prior Informed Consent (PIC)
– The provider must understand and consent to
the recipient’s intended use
• Requires Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT)
– Provider and recipient must agree conditions of use
– Must include sharing benefits with the provider
• Implies case-by-case negotiation

5. http://www.planttreaty.org
International Treaty on Plant Genetic
Resources for Food and Agriculture
• For a subset of genetic resources - PGRFA
• … and a subset of purposes – Research,
training and breeding
Multilateral system of access and benefit-sharing (MLS)
-so far 1,5 million accessions included and 3,2 PGRFA
transferred since January 2007
The Treaty also mandates the exchange of passport and
non-confidential information related to PGRFA
 low transaction cost, efficient, feasible,
in harmony with CBD

6. http://www.planttreaty.org
Connecting Genomics and other type of
information with the Global Information System
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How do we make
sure that data … remain
connected?
… and the
material
described …

7. http://www.planttreaty.org
Key elements: Genomics with the Treaty
– The Treaty does not refer explicitly to genomic information
– Open data on genomics is a key component of the vision of the
Treaty
– Broad stakeholder community: Genebanks, breeders, researchers,
farmers, lawyers, IPR managers, and policy makers
– Genebanks cannot become just PGRFA museums
– There is the need to connect genomics and other information to
add value to plant breeding and the PGRFA development chain
– Understand plant breeders behaviors and support them in the use
of technology
– Conciliate access to genetic resources with fair benefit sharing,
particularly with farmers in developing countries

8. http://www.planttreaty.org
Non-TreatyTreaty
Genomics and crop evolution
d z f d j y e k q v x i c p m w w z r v h l c t y n a o m h r b p k b g j s l g e u i o s u x n f t q a
10,000 years of unrestricted
migration, transfers, hybridization /
introgression / mixing, adaptation

9. http://www.planttreaty.org
Looking Forward
• Coherent policy guidance and implementation rules for users of
material: ITPGRFA and Nagoya
• A global dialogue between science and policy makers to identify the
impact of new developments: review and understand the impact of
genomics and phenomics on existing rules and mechanisms
• FAO has demonstrated over the years to be a neutral forum
Plant sector needs:
• Access to genetic resources and to genomics and other scientific
information with clear rules
• Support technology transfer and capacity development in
developing countries
• Funding opportunities and incentive for collaboration
• Exchange experiences with other sectors

10. http://www.planttreaty.org
Thank you!