Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

[**Avis juridique important**](../../../editorial/legal_notice.htm)

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# 92001E3511

**WRITTEN QUESTION P-3511/01 by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Seed bank for the world's crop species.** 
  
*Official Journal 134 E , 06/06/2002 P. 0240 - 0241*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3511/01

by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(12 December 2001)

Subject: Seed bank for the world's crop species

For several years negotiations have been under way on a charter for a new system which would seek to preserve the stocks of crop seed gathered so far and the complex genetic heritage they represent for the common use of humanity (Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture). The Commission is responsible for the whole of the EU's agricultural policy, which includes the proper use and development of crop varieties. Is the Commission a party to the negotiations on the preservation of existing seed banks for free common use, and what stage are these negotiations currently at, with regard inter alia to the issue of whether these genetic resources are for sale to private undertakings?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 2002)

The Community, represented by the Commission, has been a party to the negotiation of a revised International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. These negotiations were finalised with a new International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, approved by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) Conference on 3 November 2001. The agreement is open for signature until 4 November 2002. The Community and its Member States are initiating procedures for signature and subsequent accession.

Facilitated access to such genetic resources of the Contracting Parties and in the public domain will be provided through a multilateral system, currently covering 35 of the world's most important food crops and 29 forages. The Contracting Parties also agreed to encourage natural and legal persons within their jurisdiction who hold such resources to include them in the multilateral system. This system shall further include ex situ collections of the International Agricultural Research Centers of the Consultative Group of International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and other relevant international institutions.

Access will be provided free of charge, or, when a fee is charged, it shall not exceed the minimal cost involved. Contracting Parties and legal and natural persons under their jurisdiction can be recipients, including private undertakings. However, access will only be provided for research, breeding and training for food and agriculture, and recipients can not claim any intellectual property or other rights that limit the facilitated access. Benefits arising from the use of resources accessed under the multilateral system shall be shared through exchange of information, access to and transfer of technology, and capacity building. Moreover, each recipient who commercialises a product that is a plant genetic resource for food and agriculture and that incorporates material accessed from the multilateral system, shall pay an equitable share of the benefits arising to a financial mechanism, except where such a product is available without restriction to others for further research and breeding; in that latter case he shall be encouraged to make such a payment.

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