They are, however, declining at an alarming rate and the threat to plant species has never been greater. A broad variety of plants, both wild and cultivated, is essential if crops are to be developed that yield more, resist pests and disease and tolerate difficult environments. The decline in biodiversity for food and agriculture must be halted. Humankind is already dangerously dependent on a small number of crops.
Wild plants are also important as they often play a considerable role in the diets of the poor.
Yet biodiversity is big business, and transnational corporations are taking out patents and claiming breeders' rights on plants. The North is therefore exploiting what is essentially a resource of the South most of the plant species are native to Africa, Asia and Latin America. Further, the spread of patented, genetically uniform varieties could work against the conservation and sustainable use of plant resources. There is a basic injustice. There is also concern that the Uruguay Round trade accord could threaten plant genetic resource conservation and farmers' rights.