Access and Benefit Sharing Mechanism under the Multilateral System of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

Abstract

Sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) is of critical importance for food and nutritional security. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture recognizes the efforts of farmers and local communities involved in on-farm conservation and management of PGRFA. The international exchange of PGRFA for research, breeding and conservation is the key requirement for food security and sustainable agriculture. Access to global gene pool which is a network of international and national gene banks and other institutions is a major benefit under the Treaty. Facilitated access to this vast gene pool under the Treaty is provided under the terms and conditions of the Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA). India has already notified the guidelines for the implementation of the Treaty and is already using SMTA for exchange of PGRFA with Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The guidelines are notified under the provisions of national legislation that is Biodiversity Act, 2002. The chapter details the multilateral system (MLS) of Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) under the Treaty, option for benefit sharing under SMTA, and provisions of providing facilitated access under the Treaty and access to PGRFA as per the provisions of the treaty in India.