. : t % INTERNATIONAL i FOOD 1776 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W j' Washington, D.C. 20036 U.S.A. POLICY (202) 862-5600 Telex: 440054 RESE4RCH Cable: IFPRI INSTITUTE October 22, 1987 Memorandum To TAC Members From John W. Mellor (Chairman, Center Directors) Re Statement of Common Policies on Plant Genetic Resource Activities in CGIAR I enclose a copy of the Statement of Common Policies on Plant Genetic Resource Activites in CGIAR approved by the Center Directors at their meeting on Thursday, October 22nd for discussion in joint session with the TAC on Friday, October 23rd. * Enclosure: a/s :eby \ 22 October 1987 Statement of Common Policies on Plant Genetic Resource Activities in CGIAR Preamble: The IARCs all share a common goal in salvaging the endangered 1andraces and other primitive forms for present and future use. This document is a synthesis of the Centers' views and reports and it may be read and used as a guideline, in conjunction with the Centers' reports, towards the development of final common policy statements. The genetic resource activities of the International Agricultural Research Centers (IARCs) differ in mandate crops, ecological zones, staffing patterns, available facilities and resources. IBPGR plays a catalytic role both within and outside the CGIAR system while the IARCs have long-term operational responsibility in assembling, conserving and supplying plant genetic resources. 1. General purpose of plant genetic resource activities The main purpose of plant genetic resource activities in the IARCs is to collect, characterize, evaluate, document, maintain, conserve, and distribute the germplasm of Centers' crops and their wild relatives for present and future use in crop improvement, The overall objective is to conserve and safeguard representative samples of naturally occurring genetic diversity and make them readily and freely available -2- ■i to all users including the IARCs. In addition to landraces and wild relatives, most IARCs maintain samples of genetic stocks, named cultivars and specially constituted gene pools and basic collections. However, IBPGR is of the view that genebanks which hold material for long-term conservation should concentrate on certain categories of material namely obsolete cultivars, landraces and wild and weedy relatives. 2. Policy concerning cooperation with the countries in which collections are made or from where collections are obtained Special and mutually advantageous cooperation is fostered between the IARCs and germplasm source countries. The major areas of cooperation are salvaging the endangered landraces through joint explorations, training, and germplasm evaluation programs aimed at documenting and determining the potential of the landraces and thereby enhancing their utilization in crop improvement mainly in developing countries of the world and particularly in the source country. The collected germplasm is shared between IARCs and source countries at the time of collection. Several IARC genebanks also serve or intend to serve as long-term backup storage of germplasm collected from various countries. Though limited to their mandate crops and their wild relatives, the IARCs have developed their functional network and cooperative programs in genetic resource activities including strategic research, training, exchange and utilization of germplasm with germplasm contributing and receiving countries. The IBPGR has also developed a -3- 1 world-wide network in collaboration with the IARCs for germplasm collection, characterization, documentation, conservation, strategic research and training, The functions of the IBPGR and the IARCs are similar in purpose in that IBPGR plays a catalytic and supportive role while the IARCs have long-term operational responsibility on their mandate crops. 3. Policy with respect to handling wild relatives of mandate crops Since almost all IARCs regard and handle wild and weedy relatives as part of the total germplasm of their crops, they do collect and conserve the endangered species with more emphasis being given to them in the future. IBPGR has pointed out that some genetic diversity is best left in its natural habitat until it is threatened. However, IARCs need and are actively building up their capabilities in research and collection of wild species. IBPGR further carries out systematic research on the wider genepools. 4. Policy on distribution of germplasm maintained at the IARCs , The germplasm maintained at the IARCs are distributed to any one requesting them for crop improvement and related research activities. CIAT has a policy of charging a nominal fee for materials requested for commercial use. Both the IARCs and IBPGR have accepted their responsibility in ensuring the availability and exchange of germplasm and have successfully supplied pathogen and pest-free materials freely to national and regional programs throughout the world. If immediate -4- •i availability of seed is a constraint, preference is given to national programs. 5. Duplicate sets of germplasm collections The idea of conserving duplicate sets at locations other than the IARC genebanks is fully supported by all Centers. Some Centers like ICRISAT and ICARDA serve as each other's duplicate conservation centers for their common crops like chickpea. The IARCs have already started to conserve duplicate collections at other locations like NARS in the country of origin, Fort Collins, USA etc. Financial constraints and lack of personnel have slowed down the progress of this work in the IARCs. National genebanks face serious deficiencies in facilities, personnel and operating funds. IBPGR takes responsibility, where appropriate, of developing duplicate base collection centers in collaboration with the IARCs and national, regional, and other international organizations. 6. Policy on relations/cooperation with IBPGR The IARCs and IBPGR are partners in the global plant genetic resources network. The IARCs and IBPGR play a complementary role to one another's work and cooperation has been extensive and fruitful, In order to promote more fruitful cooperation between IARCs and IBPGR, strengthening the involvement of the IARCs in IBPGR activities may be desirable in the light of growing expertise in the IARCs in the germplasm of their mandate crops. -5- In general, the relationship between IBPGR and the Genetic Resources Units (GRU) of IARCs is not clearly defined since each Center is autonomous with its own policies. The GRUs of the Centers have been established for the purpose of achieving their stated objectives and are directly responsible to their Center's policy and management systems. Furthermore, the GRUs of IARCs are an integral part of the crop improvement systems which invariably start with the collection and identification of useful germplasm. They have however a worldwide mandate in collecting, characterizing, distributing and conserving the germplasm of their specific crops. 7. Agreement with host countries on the long-term security of germplasm at IARCs Different views and agreements exist between different Centers and countries. The following is a summary of existing arrangements. CIAT: A recent agreement (to be ratified) between CIAT and : Colombia allows CIAT the right to export seed without restriction. This right is extended for one year after either party notifies the other of its intention to terminate the existence of the Institute. CIMMYT: In case of termination, its assets shall become a part of the National Center for Agricultural Education, Research and Extension Plan Chapingo. A proposed revised set of statute states "in case of dissolution, -6- ♦. the assets of 'CIMMYT I NT' situated in the host or other collaborating countries shall be retained by such countries and used for similar purposes or distributed to institutions having purposes similar to those of 1CIMMYT INT' in the respective countries after agreement between the governments of those countries and the Board in consultation with members of the CGIAR.u CIP: CIP is developing an inter-genebank cooperation system to conserve genetic resources mandate crops. Complete duplicate copies should be deposited in genebank in two continents. IBPGR: Not appiicable. ICARDA: It is uncertain in that the basic host country agreement states that in case of dissolution, the assets of the Center shall be retained by the host country. ICRISAT: In the event of dissolution, the ICRISAT Constitution states that the disposition of all assets, except any land within India and fixed capital improvement thereon, shall be determined by the CGIAR after receiving recommendations from the Governing Board of ICRISAT. IITA: In the event of its closure, IITA will move its germplasm collections to safe storage at a place determined by CGIAR, and will leave duplicates of them with Nigerian authorities if asked to do so. ILCA: All unique genetic resources held by ILCA are duplicated at Kew outside Africa. ILCA has an agreement with the Ethiopian Government for unrestricted movement in/out of \ , -7- r, germplasm as required. There is a proposed agreement with PGRC (Ethiopia) to duplicate all original Ethiopian materials in their (ILCA's) long-term store. IRRI : That no part of the assets and property of the Institute shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its members and if the existence of the Institute is terminated for any reason, all its physical plant, equipment and other assets shall become the property of the University of Philippines. IRRI will explore the host country's concurrence to send out a duplicate set of the entire rice collection to appropriate sites for duplicate storage in the event of dissolution. f. WARDA: The future of WARDA's germplasm collection if WARDA were to wind up its activities: Arrangements will be made by WARDA to relocate its germplasm collection to suitable genetic resource centers in and outside the region. This is an agreement not only with the WARDA host country but also with all WARDA member states.