272 • Technologies To Maintain Biological Diversity 



IBPGR Network 



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INTERNATIONAL AMICULTUKAL RESEARCH CENTRES 

 OTHER ACTIVITIES 



Photo credit: IBPGR 



The International Board for Plant Genetic Resources has had a catalytic effect on efforts to conserve 



dwindling plant genetic resources. 



tion; it could provide the framework for devel- 

 oping nations to obtain a greater political voice 

 in the international conservation structure. It 

 was further argued that IBPGR was not a for- 

 mal organization, and it would therefore have 

 only limited legal ability to enforce any com- 

 mitment to make germplasm available (26). This 

 legal status argument is questionable, however 

 (6). IBPGR proponents responded that the 

 board's technical emphasis works effectively, 

 and it is in fact an asset in surmounting politi- 

 cal problems and dealing with nations outside 

 FAO. 



The alternative approach that evolved con- 

 sisted of an undertaking and a new commis- 

 sion. The International Undertaking on Plant 

 Genetic Resources was negotiated within the 

 framework of the FAO. (The United States and 

 a number of other developed countries reserved 

 their positions.) The undertaking was nonbind- 

 ing, probably to increase participation in such 

 a controversial area. It called for an interna- 



tional germplasm conservation network under 

 the auspices of the FAO, stated a duty of each 

 nation to make all plant genetic material- 

 including advanced breeding material— freely 

 available, and called for development of a pro- 

 cedure under which a germplasm conservation 

 center could be placed under the auspices of 

 FAO. IBPGR was to continue its current work, 

 but it would be monitored by FAO (6). 



The other part of the new FAO system is the 

 Commission on Plant Genetic Resources, a 

 group established to meet biannually to review 

 progress in germplasm conservation. The com- 

 mission held its first meeting in March 1985, 

 with the United States present as an observer. 

 Much of the discussion focused on concerns 

 expressed in the FAO undertaking and on is- 

 sues that had regularly been dealt with by 

 IBPGR, such as base collections, training, and 

 information systems. In addition, discussions 

 and resolutions paid significant attention to on- 

 site conservation and emphasized the impor- 



