The 11th session of the Governing Body of the ITPGRFA concluded in Lima, Peru

• The 11th session of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) concluded in Lima, Peru.
• During the session, talks on enhancing the Multilateral System (MLS) of access and benefit sharing failed to reach consensus.

About the Multilateral System (MLS)

• The MLS governs the sharing of genetic resources from 35 major food crops, ensuring global access to essential crop diversity.
• The MLS also governs genetic resources from 29 forage species, supporting livestock feed diversity.
• Together, these crops and forages form about 80% of the world’s plant-based diet, highlighting their global importance.
• These crops are listed in Annexure I of the Treaty, which catalogues plant genetic resources available for shared use.
• When a country adopts the ITPGRFA, it agrees to make the genetic diversity of these crops available to all other members.
• This availability primarily applies to genetic material stored in public gene banks, which are institutions preserving seeds and plant varieties.

Compromise Proposal Presented at the 11th Session

• A compromise proposal recommended adopting the revised Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA).
• The proposal stated that payment rates and thresholds would be finalized at Governing Body session 12 (GB12).
• The SMTA regulates exchanges of plant genetic material, ensuring transparency in transfers.
• The SMTA also prevents misuse of plant genetic material, safeguarding against unauthorized exploitation.
• The SMTA ensures that commercial benefits arising from the use of genetic material are shared fairly and equitably, supporting global justice.
• Key unresolved issues such as the payment system, which determines how users contribute financially, were postponed to GB12.
• The issue of Annex I expansion, which concerns adding more crops to the MLS, was also deferred.
• Rules for Digital Sequence Information (DSI), referring to digital genetic data derived from biological samples, were similarly postponed.
  India’s Stand
• India emphasized the need to safeguard sovereign rights over its genetic resources, ensuring national control.
• India called for fair and equitable benefit-sharing, aligning with global justice principles.
• India opposed the opaque draft proposals, citing concerns about lack of transparency.
• India requested that all unresolved issues be revisited at GB12, ensuring inclusive negotiations.

About the ITPGRFA

• The ITPGRFA was adopted at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Conference in 2001.
• The Treaty came into force in 2004, marking its operational beginning.
• It is the first legally binding international agreement dedicated to crop genetic diversity, giving it global authority.
• Its main goal is to conserve crop diversity, protecting agricultural resilience.
• Another goal is to promote the sustainable use of crop diversity, supporting long-term food security.
• The Treaty also aims to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits, promoting global equity.
• It comprises 154 countries and the European Union, including India as a member.