Norway announces annual contribution to the benefit-sharing fund of the International Treaty The Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg announced this week that his country intends to set up an annual contribution to the benefit sharing fund of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture to support developing countries. By making this contribution to the international benefit-sharing fund, Norway is directly supporting farmers in developing countries through the legal structure of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

FAO applauds the opening of seed vault in Norway 25 February 2008, Svalbard/Norway – The creation of the Global Seed Vault, which will house duplicates of unique varieties of the world’s most important crops, is “one of the most innovative and impressive acts in the service of humanity,” FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf said today. “The wealth that is being safeguarded in Svalbard will be the global insurance to address future challenges,” he added. Dr Diouf addressed a conference in Svalbard held in connection with the inauguration of the Seed Vault.

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture becomes more relevant to global climate change, food security and poverty reduction “With the global challenges we are facing in today’s world, the International Treaty is more relevant than ever in relation to global climate change, food security and poverty reduction”, declared Dr. Jacques Diouf, Director-General of FAO on 2 November, at the closing of the Second Session of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

International plant gene pool becomes operational A new multilateral system for the fair and equitable sharing of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture has become operational, FAO announced today. Over the past seven months, the system has accelerated the exchange of genetic material, with more than 90 000 transfers of plant genetic material within the system.

The next frontier in genetic research: under water Improved international policies are needed to conserve aquatic genetic resources and improve global food security, FAO stated today at the start of the biennial meeting of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA, 11-15 June). A lack of coherent management of the world’s fish genetic resources is becoming a serious problem, the agency warned.

Informal international consultation on Farmers’ Rights Further discussion on Farmers' Rights are being considered as part of the implementation of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) as it is a precondition for the maintenance of vital plant genetic resources in situ and on-farm. According to Article 9, the responsibility for implementing its provisions on Farmers’ Rights lies with national Governments.

Meeting acknowledges the crucial role of plant genetic resources The first meeting of the governing body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture was marked by a broad consensus among participating countries that safeguarding these resources plays a crucial role in ensuring the food supply of future generations, FAO said today.