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Global Plan of Action 279.
Assessment: Erosion of plant genetic resources
for food and agriculture can occur in ex situ collections,
in farmers' fields and in nature. The
former depends on the quality of the original material stored,
and on the conditions under which the material is maintained
and multiplied. The
loss of wild relatives can occur through loss or disturbance
of habitat or natural disasters. Loss
of genetic resources in crops occurs mainly through adoption
of new crops or new varieties of crops with the consequent
abandonment of traditional ones without appropriate conservation
measures. 280.
Various factors, both natural phenomena and the results of
human behavior, including urban expansion, agricultural modernization,
civil strife and war, can put plant genetic resources for
food and agriculture at risk. Several
countries were unable to submit Country Reports or participate
in the preparatory process for the International Technical
Conference due to these factors. Despite
the implications of this, no formal mechanisms exist to monitor
such situations, assemble information and initiate appropriate
actions. 281.
Longterm objectives: To minimise genetic erosion
and its impact on sustainable agriculture by monitoring key
elements of genetic resources conservation and the various
factors causing genetic erosion, and assembling information
to enable remedial or preventive action to be taken. 282.
Intermediate objectives: To determine the underlying
causes of genetic erosion. To
encourage monitoring at the national, regional, and global
levels. To
establish mechanisms to ensure that information is transferred
to appropriate points designated as responsible for analysis,
coordination and action. 283.
Policy/strategy: In accordance with Agenda 21, governments
should periodically review and report on the situation of
plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Governments
should designate / reconfirm a focal point to convey this
information to FAO, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention
on Biological Diversity, and other appropriate bodies. 284.
Information from appraisals and environmental impact assessments
of major development projects which may have a significant
impact on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture
should be made available to relevant national authorities.
285.
Capacity: National programme personnel and allied
workers at more local levels should receive short training
in methods of gathering and interpreting information on plant
genetic resources for food and agriculture and the various
threats to these resources. 286.
Realizing the importance of gobal monitoring and early warning
of loss of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture,
the efficiency, purpose and value of the FAO World Information
and Early Warning System (WIEWS) should be evaluated. In
the light of the results of that review, WIEWS should be improved.
287.
Research/technology: Research to determine the
underlying causes and dynamics of genetic erosion. Research
applicable to improving methods for surveying of plant genetic
resources for food and agriculture will also be useful to
early warning systems. 288.
Technical experts, representatives of national programmes,
UNEP, UNDRO, the CGIAR, IUCN, NGOs, and the private sector,
should be invited by FAO to participate in and contribute
to discussions on developing an early warning system. 289.
The utility of using remote sensing technologies should be
investigated. 290.
Coordination/administration: WIEWS should collaborate
closely with national focal points, national coordinators,
regional and crop networks, the international agricultural
research centres, UNEP, UNDRO, and other relevant organizations.
291.
Governments and aid agencies should ensure communication and
cooperation between plant genetic resources programmes, development
programmes, and organizations and agencies such as the World
Bank, FAO, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO, IFAD and the CGIAR. 292.
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