International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

Toolbox for Sustainable Use of PGRFA

Article 6. The Sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture is one of the three main objectives of the Treaty

6.1 The Contracting Parties shall develop and maintain appropriate policy and legal measures that promote the sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

6.2 The sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture may include such measures as:

  1. pursuing fair agricultural policies that promote, as appropriate, the development and maintenance of diverse farming systems that enhance the sustainable use of agricultural biological diversity and other natural resources;  
  2. strengthening research which enhances and conserves biological diversity by maximizing intra- and inter-specific variation for the benefit of farmers, especially those who generate and use their own varieties and apply ecological principles in maintaining soil fertility and in combating diseases, weeds and pests;  
  3. promoting, as appropriate, plant breeding efforts which, with the participation of farmers, particularly in developing countries, strengthen the capacity to develop varieties particularly adapted to social, economic and ecological conditions, including in marginal areas;  
  4. broadening the genetic base of crops and increasing the range of genetic diversity available to farmers;  
  5. promoting, as appropriate, the expanded use of local and locally adapted crops, varieties and underutilized species;  
  6. supporting, as appropriate, the wider use of diversity of varieties and species in onfarm management, conservation and sustainable use of crops and creating strong links to plant breeding and agricultural development in order to reduce crop vulnerability and genetic erosion, and promote increased world food production compatible with sustainable development; and  
  7. reviewing, and, as appropriate, adjusting breeding strategies and regulations concerning variety release and seed distribution.

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