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Leipzig Declaration Leipzig
Declaration on conservation and sustainable utilization of
plant genetic resources for food and agriculture 1.
In recognition of the essential importance of plant genetic
resources for food and agriculture, in particular for the
food security of present and future generations, the representatives
of one hundred and fifty States and fifty four Organizations
have gathered together in Leipzig, at the invitation of the
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, at
the Fourth International Technical Conference for Plant Genetic
Resources. We
have done so to assert and renew our commitment to the conservation
and sustainable utilization of these resources and to the
fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the
use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, recognizing
the desirability of sharing equitably benefits arising from
the use of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices
relevant to the conservation of plant genetic resources for
food and agriculture and their sustainable use. We
are convinced that these efforts can be an essential contribution
to achieving the objectives, and facilitating implementation
of, the Convention on Biological Diversity and Agenda 21.
2.
Recognizing that states have sovereign rights over their plant
genetic resources for food and agriculture, we also confirm
our common and individual responsibilities in respect of these
resources. 3.
These resources are the basis of natural and directed evolution
in the plant species most critical to the survival and wellbeing
of human beings. All
countries require plant genetic resources if they are to increase
food supplies and agricultural production sustainably and
meet the related challenges of changes in the environment,
including climate change. We
are conscious of the intrinsic value of this biological diversity
and of its ecological, social, economic, scientific, educational,
cultural, and aesthetic importance. 4.
Plant genetic resources for food and agriculture are the product
of natural evolution and human intervention. We
acknowledge the roles played by generations of men and women
farmers and plant breeders, and by indigenous and local communities,
in conserving and improving plant genetic resources. Through
their efforts, much has been, and is still being, accomplished
to collect, conserve, improve and sustainably use plant genetic
resources for food and agriculture. 5.
We are aware, however, of the serious threats to the security
of plant genetic resources and acknowledge that efforts to
conserve, develop, and sustainably use genetic diversity should
be improved. This
diversity is being lost in the fields and other ecosystems
of virtually all countries, even in genebanks. Though
the number of genebanks has increased rapidly in recent decades,
many cannot meet minimum international standards. An
alarmingly high number of stored accessions are in need of
regeneration, indicating that much of the material collected
and conserved in the past is now endangered. 6.
Major gaps and weaknesses exist in national and international
capacity to conserve, characterize, evaluate, and sustainably
use plant genetic resources to increase world food security
and contribute to sustainable development. The
crucial linkage between conservation and utilization should
be improved. Existing
diversity in crop species is not used to the extent possible
for increased food production or for improving the sustainability
of production systems. Institutional
capacity, structures and programmes should be reviewed to
address these deficiencies. It
is necessary to strengthen national capabilities, particularly
in developing countries. 7.
We recognize the interdependence of countries and peoples
regarding plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
Access
to and the sharing of both genetic resources and technologies
are essential for meeting world food security and needs of
the growing world population, and must be facilitated. Such
access to and sharing of technologies with developing countries
should be provided and/or facilitated under fair and most
favourable terms, including on concessional and preferential
terms, as mutually agreed to by all parties to the transaction.
In
the case of technology subject to patents and other intellectual
property rights, access and transfer of technology should
be provided on terms which recognize and are consistent with
the adequate and effective protection of intellectual property
rights. We
affirm the need to promote international and regional cooperation
among countries, intergovernmental organizations, nongovernmental
organizations, and the private sector. 8.
In particular, we acknowledge the pressing need to sustain
existing ex situ collections and in situ habitats of plant
genetic resources. It
is important that this diversity be made more useful and valuable
to breeders, farmers, and indigenous and local communities,
by providing better and more accessible documentation. We
recognize the need for substantial and longterm support and
incentives for national and international plant breeding programmes,
including initiatives to adapt and enhance genetic materials
for further development by plant breeders. We
call for a new and more productive partnership between scientists
and farmers to build upon the ongoing efforts of farmers to
manage and improve their plant genetic resources, especially
in marginal areas. 9.
Our primary objective must be to enhance world food security
through conserving and sustainably using plant genetic resources.
This
will require integrated approaches combining the best of traditional
knowledge and modern technologies. Means
are needed to identify, increase, and share fairly and equitably
the benefits derived from the conservation and sustainable
use of plant genetic resources. 10.
At the Fourth International Technical Conference for Plant
Genetic Resources, to help fulfil our objectives, we have
adopted a Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable
Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
This
Plan provides a coherent framework for activities in the field
of in situ and ex situ conservation, in sustainable utilization
of plant genetic resources, as well as in institution and
capacity building. It
will contribute to creating synergies among ongoing activities,
as well as more efficient use of available resources. We
are convinced of the utmost importance of long term national
commitments to integrated national plans and programmes, and
for indispensable national, regional and international cooperation.
11.
This Global Plan of Action is an important element of the
FAO Global System for Conservation and Utilization of Plant
Genetic Resources. The
Global System presently includes, amongst other elements,
an International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources currently
under revision. We
believe it important to complete the revision of the International
Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources and to adjust the Global
System, in line with the Convention on Biological Diversity.
12.
We undertake to honour our commitments by taking the necessary
steps to implement the Global Plan of Action in accordance
with our national capacities. 13.
We have gathered in Leipzig, aware of our responsibilities
and the difficulties ahead, but confident that progress can
and should be achieved. We
stress the need for integrating the conservation and sustainable
use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture in
agricultural policy as an essential element for food security.
We
invite attention to be paid to the Global Plan of Action at
the World Food Summit, to be held in November 1996. We invite
all people to join us in our common cause. Adopted
this 23rd day of June, 1996
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