The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources
21/06/2019
The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (also known as the "Plant Treaty") is one of the fastest growing treaties, now boasting a membership of 145 Contracting Parties, including the European Union, with a 146th member joining in July. FAO recently acknowledged the International Treaty as one of the Organization’s “top 10 achievements.”
In the 15 years since its entry into force, the International Treaty has become the de facto flagship of FAO’s normative work on agricultural biodiversity. The Treaty brings together countries and partner organizations around the world to conserve and use the world’s precious plant genetic resources sustainably, both in the form of seeds of plants that provide food and nutrition, and the vital information pertaining to seeds and other plant material. Contracting Parties and donors, including the European Union, have expressed appreciation for the International Treaty’s work to conserve these invaluable natural resources, particularly in developing countries and centres of crop biodiversity.