Literature on the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Since the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture was adopted, a number of articles and reports have been produced. The titles selected here address farmers' rights within this broader context.
FAO. (2018). First meeting of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Farmers’ Rights: Overview of the Historical Developments and Discussion on Farmers' Rights
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This document briefly reviews the historical development of the concept of Farmers’ Rights in FAO and the importance of its realization. It provides an explanation on the provisions on Farmer’s Rights in the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture as well as an update on related discussions by the Governing Body.
Joshi, B. K., Chaudhary, P., Upadhya, D. and Vernooy, R. (Eds). (2016). Implementing the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in Nepal: Achievements and Challenges
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This book documents the results of the research and capacity development efforts to implement the ITPGRFA in Nepal. Its chapters cover five main interrelated themes: national-level multi-lateral system policy development; policy actors and networks; germplasm flows and interdependence; farmers’ involvement; and technology transfer. ITPGRFA implementation in Nepal has made considerable progress, but the policy environment in Nepal could be further improved. A positive development is the drafting of new policy and legal instruments, such as the agro-biodiversity conservation and utilization act and regulations.
FAO. (2011). Introduction to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture - Module I
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Module 1 presents the International Treaty and its main components in the context of the broader legal framework governing crop diversity. It shows how the International Treaty has been set up to cope with global challenges such as food security, climate change and the loss of crop diversity. The module provides learners with key concepts and historical background, through lessons that are specifically designed for newcomers to the biodiversity policy area. This work constitutes a comprehensive introduction to the International Treaty and forms the basis for the forthcoming educational modules prepared by FAO.
FAO. (2010). The Second Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
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This report describes the status of the conservation and use of PGRFA in 2010 throughout the world. It is based on country reports, information gathering processes, regional syntheses, thematic background studies and published scientific literature. It describes the most significant changes that have taken place since the first SoW report was published in 1998 and describes major continuing gaps and needs. The structure follows that of the first SoW report with an additional chapter on the contribution of PGRFA to food security and sustainable agricultural development.
Dinh, T. T. V. (2010). The international treaty on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture: an innovative tool for the management of the agri-phytodiversity
This thesis investigates the scope and application of the Plant Treaty through a detailed study of its concepts and mechanisms and the relationship between the Plant Treaty and other international texts (the CBD, UPOV, TRIPS). It analyses the effectiveness of legal means of implementation of the Treaty at regional, sub-regional and national levels. The establishment of this Multilateral System is seen as a new and innovative tool of the management of natural resources. This theses argues that it is an application of the concept of "common heritage of mankind" because it ensures that the genetic resources held under the sovereignty of individual States are available to others. The concept of farmers' rights in the treaty is seen as complementary to existing Breeders' Rights, recognizing the active role of farmers in the conservation of PGRFA. The identification of mechanisms for the successful implementation of these two facets, several of which are explored within the thesis, is according to the author essential to the success of the Treaty.
Andersen, R. (2008). Governing Agrobiodiversity: Plant Genetics and Developing Countries
Plant genetic diversity is crucial to the breeding of food crops and is therefore a central precondition for food security. Diverse genetic resources provide the genetic traits required to deal with crop pests and diseases, as well as changing climate conditions. Plant genetic diversity is also essential for traditional small-scale farming, and is therefore an indispensable factor in the fight against poverty. However, the diversity of domesticated plant varieties is disappearing at an alarming rate while interest in the commercial use of genetic resources has increased in line with bio-technologies, followed by demands for intellectual property rights. This important book contributes to our understanding of how international regimes affect the management of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture in developing countries. It identifies entry points to shape a better governance of agrobiodiversity and provides the first comprehensive analysis of how the international agreements pertaining to crop genetic resources affect the management of these vital resources for food security and poverty eradication in developing countries.
Esquinas-Alcázar, J. (2005). Protecting crop genetic diversity for food security: political, ethical and technical challenges
This article is about crop genetic diversity, its importance for feeding humanity, for the environment and for sustainable development, and how it is being lost at an alarming rate. Given the enormous interdependence of countries and generations on this genetic diversity, this loss raises critical socio-economic, ethical and political questions, and in this article these questions are discussed. The recent ratification of a binding international treaty, the Plant Treaty, and the development of powerful new technologies to conserve and use resources more effectively, have raised expectations that must now be fulfilled. The article argues that never before have humanity had such powerful tools to control its future, and yet never has so much been at risk. For agricultural development to be sustainable, and for some harmful processes to be reversible, it is necessary to preserve the natural resources on which development is based. The author argues that the achievement of a world without hunger or poverty is the responsibility of all of us, and must not be avoided or left to chance.
Moore, G., and Tymowski, W. (2005). Explanatory Guide to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
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This sizeable guide offers a comprehensive introduction to the background and content of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and will be a valuable tool in its implementation at the national as well as international level.
The guide covers all provisions pertaining to farmers' rights in the Treaty. A thorough presentation of Article 9 on farmers' rights is provided on pages 67-78. The history of the negotiations on farmers' rights is sketched, and interrelations with other international agreements are highlighted, with special emphasis on the Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). On this basis, the authors proceed to explain the content of the various provisions of Article 9 and discuss possible ways in which Contracting Parties may implement them.Fowler, C. (2004). Accessing Genetic Resources: International Law Establishes Multilateral System
The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture is rapidly gathering sufficient ratifications to become international law. Once it enters into force, it will define the rules for access and benefit-sharing associated with most genetic resources of major food crops. This paper explains how the new Multilateral System established by the Treaty will work, and points out a number of ambiguities and problems in the text. Despite these shortcomings, the Treaty provides the international community of researchers, plant breeders, and farmers with an opportunity to foster cooperation and further the conservation and use of plant genetic resources.
Andersen, R. (2003). FAO and the Management of Genetic Resources
Andersen, R. (2003). FAO and the Management of Genetic Resources. In Yearbook of International Co-operation on Environment and Development 2003/2004 (Pp. 43-53). London: Earthscan.
Introduction Biological diversity is usually associated with wild animals and plants, and there is generally little political awareness of the crucial importance of genetic diversity in agriculture for food security and human survival. As a result, little is being done to halt the rapid erosion of genetic diversity currently taking place in agriculture or to address the emerging problem of restricted access to available genetic resources. This article is about plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and the work being done within the FAO system to establish a regime for the management of these vital resources. Its purpose is to assess FAO’s achievements and identify the limitations in this issue area, with particular focus on the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA). The CGRFA has concentrated on the implementation of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (1983), the development of the Global Plan of Action (1996), and negotiations for an International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (2001). Its interplay with other international regimes is fundamental to an understanding of its achievements and limitations, and will be highlighted accordingly. First, however, we turn to the structure of the problem, i.e. the challenges facing the CGRFA.
Sauvé, R., and Watts, J. (2003). An Analysis of IPGRI's Influence on the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
International organizations are often assumed to be politically influential, but their influence is seldom assessed. This study examined the political influence exerted by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) in the international negotiations pertaining to the revision of the International Undertaking for Plant Genetic Resources (1996–2001). The study assessed the level of IPGRI's influence and examined the processes by which IPGRI exerts influence. We obtained evidence from IPGRI staff members who were involved in the negotiations, about the expected ways and means by which IPGRI was thought to have been influential—the so-called “ego-perspective”. Their perceptions were cross-checked against other players’ perceptions of IPGRI's influence (the“alter-perspective”). Finally, the validity of these perceptions was checked through document analysis (“researcher's analysis”). Empirical results relating to IPGRI's political influence were subsequently linked to a theoretical framework. The results indicate that the provision of timely and relevant technical inputs directly linked to IPGRI's area of expertise was the most successful means of influencing the negotiations. Other factors also enabled or constrained IPGRI's ability to influence the negotiations. On one hand, political neutrality and reliability were seen as factors that enhanced IPGRI's ability to influence. However, IPGRI, as any international organization, lacks the resources and formal rights that endow states, and this fact ultimately limited IPGRI's ability to directly influence the negotiations.
Choudhary, B. (2002). The New International Seed Treaty. Promises and Prospects for Food Security
Mekoaur, A. (2002). A Global Instrument on Agrobiodiversity: The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
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On 3 November 2001, the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the “Treaty”) 3 was adopted by the FAO Conference at its 31 st session in Rome, by Resolution 3/2001 (text in the Annex), with 116 favourable votes, no dissenting votes, and two abstentions 4 . The Treaty is a new, legally-binding instrument which seeks to ensure the conservation and sustainable management of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, as well as the fair and equitable sha ring of the benefits arising from their use (Article 1.1). Being at the crossroads between agriculture, commerce and the environment, the Treaty also aims at promoting synergy among these areas (Preamble).