Contribution to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food And Agriculture (ITPGRFA)

This is an UK contribution to ITPGRFA which aims to guarantee food security through the conservation, exchange and sustainable use of the world's plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA), as well as the fair and equitable benefit sharing arising from its use. Contracting Party contributions are used to support the following main themes of the Treaty; The Benefit Sharing Fund; aimed at the conservation and development of these crop genetic resources in cooperation with farmers. The Global Information System; created to facilitate the exchange of information. Sustainable Use; aimed at promoting an integrated approach to sustainable use of PGRFA among Contracting Parties, to support in the development and maintenance of appropriate policy and legal measures. Farmers Rights; this recognizes the enormous contribution that local and indigenous communities and farmers of all regions of the world make. It gives governments the responsibility for implementing Farmers' Rights, and lists measures that could be taken to protect, promote and realize these rights. Multilateral System (MLS); countries agree to make their genetic diversity and related information about the crops stored in their gene banks available to all through the MLS. Compliance; aimed at promoting compliance with all the provisions of the Treaty and to address issues of non-compliance, include monitoring, offering advice or assistance, including legal advice or legal assistance.