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Views, Experiences and Best Practices as an example of possible options for
the national implementation of Article 9 of the International Treaty
Note by the Secretary At its second meeting of the Ad hoc Technical Expert Group on Farmers’ Rights (AHTEG), the Expert Group agreed on a revised version of the template for collecting information on examples of national measures, best practices and lessons learned from the realization of Farmers’ Rights This document presents the updated information on best practices and measures of implementing Article 9 of the International Treaty submitted by the United States of America on 30 July 2019. The submission is presented in the form and language in which it was received.
Template for submission of
Measures, Best Practices and Lessons Learned from the Realization of Farmers’ Rights
as set out in Article 9 of the International Treaty
U.S. Submission
Contents
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) ................................................................................ 1
Crop Insurance .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Plant Variety Protection Board .................................................................................................................... 8
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board ......................... 11
Federal Seed Act ......................................................................................................................................... 15
Germplasm Resources Information Network ........................................................................................... 18
National Plant Germplasm System ............................................................................................................ 22
Office of Technology Transfer .................................................................................................................... 26
Public Access to Expired PVP Seeds ........................................................................................................... 30
Right to Save Seed under PVPA ................................................................................................................. 33
USDA Crop Germplasm Committees ......................................................................................................... 36
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
Basic information
Title of measure/practice Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
Date of submission July 30, 2019
Name(s) of country/countries in which the measure/practice is taking place United States
Responsible institution/organization (name, address, website (if applicable), e-mail address, telephone
number(s) and contact person) U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation
Service
Type of institution/organization (categories) Government
Collaborating/supporting institutions/organizations/actors, if applicable (name, address, website (if
applicable), e-mail address, telephone number(s))
Description of the examples
2
Mandatory information:1
Short summary to be put in the inventory (max. 200 words) including:
o Implementing entity and partners
o Start year
o Objective(s)
o Summary of core components
o Key outcomes
o Lessons learned (if applicable)
Administered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NCRS), the Agricultural
Conservation Easement Program, established in 2014, provides financial and technical assistance to help
conserve agricultural lands and limit non-agricultural uses of the land.
Agricultural Land Easements protect the long-term viability of the nation’s food supply by preventing
conversion of productive working lands to non-agricultural uses. Land protected by agricultural land
easements provides additional public benefits, including environmental quality, historic preservation,
wildlife habitat and protection of open space.
Brief history (including starting year), as appropriate
The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program was established by the 2014 Farm Bill.
Core components of the measure/practice (max 200 words)
NRCS provides financial assistance to eligible partners for purchasing Agricultural Land Easements that
protect the agricultural use and conservation values of eligible land. In the case of working farms, the
program helps farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. Eligible partners include American
Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland,
rangeland or grassland protection programs.
Under the program, NRCS may contribute up to 50 percent of the fair market value of the agricultural
land easement. Where NRCS determines that grasslands of special environmental significance will be
protected, NRCS may contribute up to 75 percent of the fair market value of the agricultural land
easement.
Description of the context and the history of the measure/practice is taking place (political, legal and
economic framework conditions for the measure/practice) (max 200 words)
Expanding development and population pressures pose a threat to keeping farmland in agricultural
production. Easements help keep lands in family hands while providing an enhanced opportunity to keep
productive land available for entry into farming through increased availability of affordable land for
young, beginning, veteran and under-represented farmers.
To which provision(s) of Article 9 of the International Treaty does this measure relate
Art. 9.1
Other information, if applicable
1 This mandatory information is required in order for the measure/practice to be included in the Inventory.
3
Please indicate which category of the Inventory is most relevant for the proposed measure, and which
other categories are also relevant (if any):
No. Category Most
relevant2
Also
relevant3
1 Recognition of local and indigenous communities’, farmers’
contributions to conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, such
as awards and recognition of custodian/guardian farmers
2 Financial contributions to support farmers conservation and
sustainable use of PGRFA such as contributions to benefit-sharing
funds
X
3 Approaches to encourage income-generating activities to support
farmers’ conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA
X
4 Catalogues, registries and other forms of documentation of PGRFA
and protection of traditional knowledge
5 In-situ/on-farm conservation and management of PGRFA, such as
social and cultural measures, community biodiversity management
and conservation sites
6 Facilitation of farmers’ access to a diversity of PGRFA through
community seed banks4, seed networks and other measures
improving farmers’ choices of a wider diversity of PGRFA.
7 Participatory approaches to research on PGRFA, including
characterization and evaluation, participatory plant breeding and
variety selection
8 Farmers’ participation in decision-making at local, national and
sub-regional, regional and international levels
9 Training, capacity development and public awareness creation
10 Legal measures for the implementation of Farmers’ Rights, such as
legislative measures related to PGRFA.
11 Other measures / practices
In case you selected ‘other measures’, would you like to suggest a description of this measure, e.g. as
a possible new category? ____________________________________________________________
Objective(s)
2 Please select only one category that is most relevant, under which the measure will be listed.
3 Please select one or several categories that may also be relevant (if applicable).
4 Including seed houses.
4
Target group(s) and numbers of involved and affected farmers5
Location(s) and geographical outreach
Resources used for implementation of the measure/practice
How has the measure/practice affected the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources
for food and agriculture?
Please describe the achievements of the measure/ practice so far (including quantification) (max 200
words)
Producers and partners protected more than 1.1 million acres of farmland and 340,000 acres of
grassland through ACEP’s predecessor programs – Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program and
Grassland Reserve Program.
Since the transition to ACEP in 2014, NRCS has worked with hundreds of landowners and partners to
support the preservation of almost 500,000 acres through agricultural easements.
Other national level instruments that are linked to the measure/practice
Are you aware of any other international agreements or programs that are relevant for this
measure/practice?
Other issues you wish to address, that have not yet been covered, to describe the measure/practice
Lessons learned
Describe lessons learned which may be relevant for others who wish to do the same or similar
measures/practices (max 250 words).
What challenges encountered along the way (if applicable) (max 200 words)
What would you consider conditions for success, if others should seek to carry out such a measure
or organize such an activity? (max 100 words)
Further information
Link(s) to further information about the measure/practice
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/PA_NRCSConsumption/download?cid=nrcseprd1398819&ext=pdf
5 Any classification, e.g. of the types of farmer addressed, may be country-specific.
5
Crop Insurance
Basic information
Title of measure/practice Crop Insurance
Date of submission July 30, 2019
Name(s) of country/countries in which the measure/practice is taking place United States
Responsible institution/organization (name, address, website (if applicable), e-mail address, telephone
number(s) and contact person) U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency
Type of institution/organization (categories) Government
Collaborating/supporting institutions/organizations/actors, if applicable (name, address, website (if
applicable), e-mail address, telephone number(s))
Description of the examples
Mandatory information:6
Short summary to be put in the inventory (max. 200 words) including:
o Implementing entity and partners
o Start year
o Objective(s)
o Summary of core components
o Key outcomes
o Lessons learned (if applicable)
Administered by the USDA Risk Management Agency, the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation
(FCIC) promotes the economic stability of agriculture through a sound system of crop insurance
and providing the means for the research and experience helpful in devising and establishing
such insurance.
Brief history (including starting year), as appropriate
The USDA Risk Management Authority (RMA) was created in 1996 to serve America’s agricultural
producers through effective, market-based risk management tools to strengthen the economic stability of
agricultural producers and rural communities.
Core components of the measure/practice (max 200 words)
RMA manages the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) to provide innovative crop insurance
products to America’s farmers and ranchers. Approved Insurance Providers (AIP) sell and service Federal
crop insurance policies in every state and in Puerto Rico through a public-private partnership with RMA.
RMA backs the AIPs who share the risks associated with catastrophic losses due to major weather events.
Description of the context and the history of the measure/practice is taking place (political, legal and
economic framework conditions for the measure/practice) (max 200 words)
Agriculture is an inherently risky business. Some risks are everyday business risks; some risks are
brought on by natural disasters. Producers need to regularly manage for financial, marketing, production,
human resource, and legal risks.
6 This mandatory information is required in order for the measure/practice to be included in the Inventory.
6
USDA offers tools to assist producers as they meet these planning needs, including access to risk-
management tools, such as crop insurance, or information regarding markets and risk, technical assistance
coping with common risks, protection from the spread of animal and plant diseases and pests, and, when
applicable, assistance recovering from natural disasters.
To which provision(s) of Article 9 of the International Treaty does this measure relate
Art. 9.2b
Other information, if applicable
Please indicate which category of the Inventory is most relevant for the proposed measure, and which
other categories are also relevant (if any):
No. Category Most
relevant7
Also
relevant8
1 Recognition of local and indigenous communities’, farmers’
contributions to conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, such
as awards and recognition of custodian/guardian farmers
2 Financial contributions to support farmers conservation and
sustainable use of PGRFA such as contributions to benefit-sharing
funds
3 Approaches to encourage income-generating activities to support
farmers’ conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA
X
4 Catalogues, registries and other forms of documentation of PGRFA
and protection of traditional knowledge
5 In-situ/on-farm conservation and management of PGRFA, such as
social and cultural measures, community biodiversity management
and conservation sites
6 Facilitation of farmers’ access to a diversity of PGRFA through
community seed banks9, seed networks and other measures
improving farmers’ choices of a wider diversity of PGRFA.
7 Participatory approaches to research on PGRFA, including
characterization and evaluation, participatory plant breeding and
variety selection
8 Farmers’ participation in decision-making at local, national and
sub-regional, regional and international levels
7 Please select only one category that is most relevant, under which the measure will be listed.
8 Please select one or several categories that may also be relevant (if applicable).
9 Including seed houses.
7
9 Training, capacity development and public awareness creation
10 Legal measures for the implementation of Farmers’ Rights, such as
legislative measures related to PGRFA.
11 Other measures / practices
In case you selected ‘other measures’, would you like to suggest a description of this measure, e.g. as
a possible new category? ____________________________________________________________
Objective(s)
Target group(s) and numbers of involved and affected farmers10
Location(s) and geographical outreach
Resources used for implementation of the measure/practice
How has the measure/practice affected the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources
for food and agriculture?
Please describe the achievements of the measure/ practice so far (including quantification) (max 200
words)
Other national level instruments that are linked to the measure/practice
Are you aware of any other international agreements or programs that are relevant for this
measure/practice?
Other issues you wish to address, that have not yet been covered, to describe the measure/practice
Lessons learned
Describe lessons learned which may be relevant for others who wish to do the same or similar
measures/practices (max 250 words).
What challenges encountered along the way (if applicable) (max 200 words)
What would you consider conditions for success, if others should seek to carry out such a measure
or organize such an activity? (max 100 words)
Further information
Link(s) to further information about the measure/practice
10 Any classification, e.g. of the types of farmer addressed, may be country-specific.
8
Plant Variety Protection Board
Basic information
Title of measure/practice Federal Advisory Committee – Plant Variety Protection Board
Date of submission July 30, 2019
Name(s) of country/countries in which the measure/practice is taking place United States
Responsible institution/organization (name, address, website (if applicable), e-mail address, telephone
number(s) and contact person) U.S. Department of Agriculture
Type of institution/organization (categories) Government
Collaborating/supporting institutions/organizations/actors, if applicable (name, address, website (if
applicable), e-mail address, telephone number(s))
Description of the examples
Mandatory information:11
Short summary to be put in the inventory (max. 200 words) including:
o Implementing entity and partners
o Start year
o Objective(s)
o Summary of core components
o Key outcomes
o Lessons learned (if applicable)
The U.S. government has several federal advisory committees that provide opportunities for farmers to
participate in making decisions related to the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources,
including the Plant Variety Protection Board (PVPB).
The PVPB advises the Secretary of Agriculture concerning the adoption of rules and regulations to
facilitate the proper administration of the Plant Variety Protection Act; makes advisory decisions for the
Secretary on appeals concerning decisions on applications by the Plant Variety Protection Office and on
requests for emergency public-interest compulsory licenses; and advises the Secretary on any other
matters under the rules and regulations.
Brief history (including starting year), as appropriate
The PVPB was started in 1970.
Core components of the measure/practice (max 200 words)
The duties of the PVPB are solely advisory. The PVPB advises the Secretary of Agriculture concerning
adoption of rules and regulations to facilitate the proper administration of the Act and makes advisory
decisions on all appeals from the examiner or Commissioner. The PVPB also advises the Secretary of
Agriculture on all matters under the Regulations and Rules of Practice and on all questions under Section
44 of the Act, "Public Interest in Wide Usage" (7 U.S.C. 2404).
11 This mandatory information is required in order for the measure/practice to be included in the Inventory.
9
The 14 member PVPB is appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture serves for a period of 2 years.
Membership of the PVPB includes farmer representation and is drawn approximately equally from the
private seed industry sector and from the sector of the Government or the public.
Description of the context and the history of the measure/practice is taking place (political, legal and
economic framework conditions for the measure/practice) (max 200 words)
The PVPB is an advisory committee established in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA). FACA was enacted in 1972 to ensure that advice by the various advisory committees formed
over the years is objective and accessible to the public.
To which provision(s) of Article 9 of the International Treaty does this measure relate
Art. 9.2c
Other information, if applicable
Please indicate which category of the Inventory is most relevant for the proposed measure, and which
other categories are also relevant (if any):
No. Category Most
relevant12
Also
relevant13
1 Recognition of local and indigenous communities’, farmers’
contributions to conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, such
as awards and recognition of custodian/guardian farmers
2 Financial contributions to support farmers conservation and
sustainable use of PGRFA such as contributions to benefit-sharing
funds
3 Approaches to encourage income-generating activities to support
farmers’ conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA
4 Catalogues, registries and other forms of documentation of PGRFA
and protection of traditional knowledge
5 In-situ/on-farm conservation and management of PGRFA, such as
social and cultural measures, community biodiversity management
and conservation sites
6 Facilitation of farmers’ access to a diversity of PGRFA through
community seed banks14, seed networks and other measures
improving farmers’ choices of a wider diversity of PGRFA.
12 Please select only one category that is most relevant, under which the measure will be listed.
13 Please select one or several categories that may also be relevant (if applicable).
14 Including seed houses.
10
7 Participatory approaches to research on PGRFA, including
characterization and evaluation, participatory plant breeding and
variety selection
8 Farmers’ participation in decision-making at local, national and
sub-regional, regional and international levels
X
9 Training, capacity development and public awareness creation
10 Legal measures for the implementation of Farmers’ Rights, such as
legislative measures related to PGRFA.
11 Other measures / practices
In case you selected ‘other measures’, would you like to suggest a description of this measure, e.g. as
a possible new category? ____________________________________________________________
Objective(s)
Target group(s) and numbers of involved and affected farmers15
Location(s) and geographical outreach
Resources used for implementation of the measure/practice
How has the measure/practice affected the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources
for food and agriculture?
Please describe the achievements of the measure/ practice so far (including quantification) (max 200
words)
Other national level instruments that are linked to the measure/practice
Are you aware of any other international agreements or programs that are relevant for this
measure/practice?
Other issues you wish to address, that have not yet been covered, to describe the measure/practice
Lessons learned
Describe lessons learned which may be relevant for others who wish to do the same or similar
measures/practices (max 250 words).
What challenges encountered along the way (if applicable) (max 200 words)
What would you consider conditions for success, if others should seek to carry out such a measure
or organize such an activity? (max 100 words)
Further information
Link(s) to further information about the measure/practice
https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/plant-variety-protection/pvpo-advisory-board
15 Any classification, e.g. of the types of farmer addressed, may be country-specific.
11
National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board
Basic information
Title of measure/practice Federal Advisory Committee – National Agricultural Research,
Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board
Date of submission July 30, 2019
Name(s) of country/countries in which the measure/practice is taking place United States
Responsible institution/organization (name, address, website (if applicable), e-mail address, telephone
number(s) and contact person) U.S. Department of Agriculture
Type of institution/organization (categories) Government
Collaborating/supporting institutions/organizations/actors, if applicable (name, address, website (if
applicable), e-mail address, telephone number(s))
Description of the examples
Mandatory information:16
Short summary to be put in the inventory (max. 200 words) including:
o Implementing entity and partners
o Start year
o Objective(s)
o Summary of core components
o Key outcomes
o Lessons learned (if applicable)
The U.S. government has several federal advisory committees that provide opportunities for farmers to
participate in making decisions relative to the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources,
including National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board
(NAREEEAB).
The NAREEEAB provides advice to the Secretary of Agriculture and land-grant colleges and universities
on top priorities and policies for food and agricultural research, education, extension and economics.
Brief history (including starting year), as appropriate
The NAREEEAB was started in 1996.
Core components of the measure/practice (max 200 words)
The NAREEEAB is a congressionally-mandated Board of 25 members (and 6 ex-officio members), who
are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to represent the interests and needs of broad and diverse
stakeholders across the Nation. Stakeholders consist of those from the farm, rural, food, fiber and natural
resource sectors. Their respective affiliations include: businesses; organizations; local and state
governments; regional groups; producers; processors; food and fiber handlers and transportation servers;
retailers; teachers (K-12) and other educators; Land-Grant colleges and universities, along with interested
non-Land-Grants; scientists; engineers; economists; and the American consumers.
16 This mandatory information is required in order for the measure/practice to be included in the Inventory.
12
Two full Annual Board Meetings held are held each year approximately 6 months apart. Many activities
continue throughout the interim by short-term Working Groups, Task Forces, Planning Committees, Ad
Hoc Committees, and the recently established congressionally-mandated Citrus Disease Subcommittee,
the Specialty Crop Committee, the National Genetic Resources Advisory Council Subcommittee, and the
Renewable Energy Committee.
The Executive Committee of the Board meets monthly via conference call to receive updates on progress
and discuss emerging issues of national importance. The Executive Committee includes the USDA Under
Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics (ex-officio to the full Board) on these calls, which
encourages dialogue between USDA and the represented stakeholder group.
Description of the context and the history of the measure/practice is taking place (political, legal and
economic framework conditions for the measure/practice) (max 200 words)
The Advisory Board’s numerous advisory roles have increased, primarily as a result of additional
congressional legislation, but also to support requests by USDA on current and emerging issues of
national importance. The Board continues to accomplish its purpose by addressing numerous
requirements that were mandated by Congress in 1996, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2014
legislation, in addition to USDA specific requests for advice.
The NAREEE Advisory Board Office at USDA ensures that the work of the Board is efficiently
coordinated and that there is clear communication among the Chair, Vice Chair, working group members,
and others involved.
To which provision(s) of Article 9 of the International Treaty does this measure relate
Art. 9.2c
Other information, if applicable
Please indicate which category of the Inventory is most relevant for the proposed measure, and which
other categories are also relevant (if any):
No. Category Most
relevant17
Also
relevant18
1 Recognition of local and indigenous communities’, farmers’
contributions to conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, such
as awards and recognition of custodian/guardian farmers
2 Financial contributions to support farmers conservation and
sustainable use of PGRFA such as contributions to benefit-sharing
funds
3 Approaches to encourage income-generating activities to support
farmers’ conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA
17 Please select only one category that is most relevant, under which the measure will be listed.
18 Please select one or several categories that may also be relevant (if applicable).
13
4 Catalogues, registries and other forms of documentation of PGRFA
and protection of traditional knowledge
5 In-situ/on-farm conservation and management of PGRFA, such as
social and cultural measures, community biodiversity management
and conservation sites
6 Facilitation of farmers’ access to a diversity of PGRFA through
community seed banks19, seed networks and other measures
improving farmers’ choices of a wider diversity of PGRFA.
7 Participatory approaches to research on PGRFA, including
characterization and evaluation, participatory plant breeding and
variety selection
8 Farmers’ participation in decision-making at local, national and
sub-regional, regional and international levels
X
9 Training, capacity development and public awareness creation
10 Legal measures for the implementation of Farmers’ Rights, such as
legislative measures related to PGRFA.
11 Other measures / practices
In case you selected ‘other measures’, would you like to suggest a description of this measure, e.g. as
a possible new category? ____________________________________________________________
Objective(s)
Target group(s) and numbers of involved and affected farmers20
Location(s) and geographical outreach
Resources used for implementation of the measure/practice
How has the measure/practice affected the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources
for food and agriculture?
Please describe the achievements of the measure/ practice so far (including quantification) (max 200
words)
Other national level instruments that are linked to the measure/practice
Are you aware of any other international agreements or programs that are relevant for this
measure/practice?
Other issues you wish to address, that have not yet been covered, to describe the measure/practice
Lessons learned
Describe lessons learned which may be relevant for others who wish to do the same or similar
measures/practices (max 250 words).
What challenges encountered along the way (if applicable) (max 200 words)
19 Including seed houses.
20 Any classification, e.g. of the types of farmer addressed, may be country-specific.
14
What would you consider conditions for success, if others should seek to carry out such a measure
or organize such an activity? (max 100 words)
Further information
Link(s) to further information about the measure/practice
https://nareeeab.ree.usda.gov/
15
Federal Seed Act
Basic information
Title of measure/practice Federal Seed Act
Date of submission July 30, 2019
Name(s) of country/countries in which the measure/practice is taking place United States
Responsible institution/organization (name, address, website (if applicable), e-mail address, telephone
number(s) and contact person) U.S. Department of Agriculture
Type of institution/organization (categories) Government
Collaborating/supporting institutions/organizations/actors, if applicable (name, address, website (if
applicable), e-mail address, telephone number(s))
Description of the examples
Mandatory information:21
Short summary to be put in the inventory (max. 200 words) including:
o Implementing entity and partners
o Start year
o Objective(s)
o Summary of core components
o Key outcomes
o Lessons learned (if applicable)
The Federal Seed Act (FSA) (7 U.S.C. 1551–1611) is a truth-in-labeling law that ensures the
accuracy of plant genetic resources used by farmers. Federal enforcement actions typically
involve the assessment of a monetary penalty against seed companies that ship mislabeled seed
in violation of the law. The FSA requires that seed shipped in interstate commerce be labeled
with information that allows seed buyers to make informed choices. Seed labeling information
and advertisements pertaining to the seed must be truthful. The FSA helps promote uniformity
among state laws and fair competition within the seed trade.
Brief history (including starting year), as appropriate
In the beginning of the 20th century, Congress became aware of several low quality or adulterated seed
kinds being imported into and circulated within the United States. In fact, USDA estimated that over 20
percent of the seed traded within the United States was misrepresented or adulterated. In 1939, Congress
with strong support from cooperating States, authorized the framework for the modern-day Federal Seed
Act (FSA) which established rules for testing, labelling, and advertising of agricultural and vegetable
seed. Today the FSA serves as the backbone for seed marketed in the United States by ensuring truthful
labelling and fair competition in the seed industry.
Core components of the measure/practice (max 200 words)
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) maintains comprehensive market monitoring and
enforcement programs within the seed industry to ensure varietal labelling, noxious weed seed content,
and other quality determinations are truthfully represented on seed labels. Cooperative work agreements
between USDA and each of the 50 State departments of agriculture allow USDA AMS to train, authorize,
21 This mandatory information is required in order for the measure/practice to be included in the Inventory.
16
and direct the FSA related activities of more than 500 State seed inspectors nationwide at no cost. These
cooperative partnerships facilitate USDA AMS’s comprehensive monitoring of over 3000 locations in
even the most remote locations within the country. By cooperating with USDA AMS, States are able to
hold out-of-state companies accountable for the seed they sell to farmers and families within their
jurisdictions.
Description of the context and the history of the measure/practice is taking place (political, legal and
economic framework conditions for the measure/practice) (max 200 words)
The Federal Seed Act (7 CFR Part 201) (1) prohibits interstate transportation of agricultural or vegetable
not bearing a label prescribed by the Act and regulations, (2) establishes that only properly certified seed
shall bear certified labels, (3) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to inspect records required to be
kept by seed companies concerning the quality and handling of seed, (4) prohibits false labelling and
advertising, (5) prohibits the shipment of seed into a state containing noxious weed seed prohibited from
sale in the State, and (6) prohibits the sale of non-certified seed of a variety for which a plant variety
protection certificate specifies sale only as certified.
To which provision(s) of Article 9 of the International Treaty does this measure relate
Art. 9.2b
Other information, if applicable
Please indicate which category of the Inventory is most relevant for the proposed measure, and which
other categories are also relevant (if any):
No. Category Most
relevant22
Also
relevant23
1 Recognition of local and indigenous communities’, farmers’
contributions to conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, such
as awards and recognition of custodian/guardian farmers
2 Financial contributions to support farmers conservation and
sustainable use of PGRFA such as contributions to benefit-sharing
funds
3 Approaches to encourage income-generating activities to support
farmers’ conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA
4 Catalogues, registries and other forms of documentation of PGRFA
and protection of traditional knowledge
5 In-situ/on-farm conservation and management of PGRFA, such as
social and cultural measures, community biodiversity management
and conservation sites
22 Please select only one category that is most relevant, under which the measure will be listed.
23 Please select one or several categories that may also be relevant (if applicable).
17
6 Facilitation of farmers’ access to a diversity of PGRFA through
community seed banks24, seed networks and other measures
improving farmers’ choices of a wider diversity of PGRFA.
7 Participatory approaches to research on PGRFA, including
characterization and evaluation, participatory plant breeding and
variety selection
8 Farmers’ participation in decision-making at local, national and
sub-regional, regional and international levels
9 Training, capacity development and public awareness creation
10 Legal measures for the implementation of Farmers’ Rights, such as
legislative measures related to PGRFA.
X
11 Other measures / practices
In case you selected ‘other measures’, would you like to suggest a description of this measure, e.g. as
a possible new category? ____________________________________________________________
Objective(s)
Target group(s) and numbers of involved and affected farmers25
Location(s) and geographical outreach
Resources used for implementation of the measure/practice
How has the measure/practice affected the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources
for food and agriculture?
Please describe the achievements of the measure/ practice so far (including quantification) (max 200
words)
Other national level instruments that are linked to the measure/practice
Are you aware of any other international agreements or programs that are relevant for this
measure/practice?
Other issues you wish to address, that have not yet been covered, to describe the measure/practice
Lessons learned
Describe lessons learned which may be relevant for others who wish to do the same or similar
measures/practices (max 250 words).
What challenges encountered along the way (if applicable) (max 200 words)
What would you consider conditions for success, if others should seek to carry out such a measure
or organize such an activity? (max 100 words)
Further information
Link(s) to further information about the measure/practice
24 Including seed houses.
25 Any classification, e.g. of the types of farmer addressed, may be country-specific.
18
Germplasm Resources Information Network
Basic information
Title of measure/practice Germplasm Resources Information Network
Date of submission July 30, 2019
Name(s) of country/countries in which the measure/practice is taking place United States
Responsible institution/organization (name, address, website (if applicable), e-mail address, telephone
number(s) and contact person) U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service
Type of institution/organization (categories) Government
Collaborating/supporting institutions/organizations/actors, if applicable (name, address, website (if
applicable), e-mail address, telephone number(s))
Description of the examples
Mandatory information:26
Short summary to be put in the inventory (max. 200 words) including:
o Implementing entity and partners
o Start year
o Objective(s)
o Summary of core components
o Key outcomes
o Lessons learned (if applicable)
The Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN)-Global system is a suite of software
programs for managing plant germplasm-associated information, facilitating plant genebank
workflows, and providing a public interface for users to access plant germplasm and information.
Users can search for accession information via its public website, fill a shopping cart with their
desired plant germplasm, and have it delivered freely and without restrictions for use in plant
production, research and breeding. In fact, in 2018 alone, USDA distributed over 280,000
samples to fill more than 700 individual orders.
Brief history (including starting year), as appropriate
The original GRIN information system first was developed in 1986 by USDA Agricultural Research
Service (ARS) for its US National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS). In 2011, ARS, the Global Crop
Diversity Trust, and Bioversity International released an updated and expanded version, named GRIN-
Global, to the international agricultural community. GRIN-Global can be implemented on individual
personal computers or extensive computer networks through numerous public domain, free-of-charge
software engines. Currently it has been implemented by the US NPGS and by nine national genebank
systems and international agricultural research centers.
Core components of the measure/practice (max 200 words)
GRIN-Global comprises: 1) a public website where researchers, breeders, and farmers can access
descriptive information for more than 596,000 NPGS accessions, and request those accessions for
26 This mandatory information is required in order for the measure/practice to be included in the Inventory.
19
research, breeding, educational, and production purposes; and 2) a powerful information management tool
for curators and genetic resource managers to manage massive inventories of seeds, orchard collections,
etc. and key quality control data, such as availability, # of seeds or plants, viability/germinability, etc.
Description of the context and the history of the measure/practice is taking place (political, legal and
economic framework conditions for the measure/practice) (max 200 words)
A germplasm information management system is a key element for any genebank to adequately conserve
PGRFA and effectively provide it to users—researchers, breeders, educators, or farmers.
To which provision(s) of Article 9 of the International Treaty does this measure relate
Art. 9.2a
Art. 9.2b
Other information, if applicable
Please indicate which category of the Inventory is most relevant for the proposed measure, and which
other categories are also relevant (if any):
No. Category Most
relevant27
Also
relevant28
1 Recognition of local and indigenous communities’, farmers’
contributions to conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, such
as awards and recognition of custodian/guardian farmers
2 Financial contributions to support farmers conservation and
sustainable use of PGRFA such as contributions to benefit-sharing
funds
3 Approaches to encourage income-generating activities to support
farmers’ conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA
4 Catalogues, registries and other forms of documentation of PGRFA
and protection of traditional knowledge
X
5 In-situ/on-farm conservation and management of PGRFA, such as
social and cultural measures, community biodiversity management
and conservation sites
6 Facilitation of farmers’ access to a diversity of PGRFA through
community seed banks29, seed networks and other measures
improving farmers’ choices of a wider diversity of PGRFA.
X
7 Participatory approaches to research on PGRFA, including
characterization and evaluation, participatory plant breeding and
variety selection
27 Please select only one category that is most relevant, under which the measure will be listed.
28 Please select one or several categories that may also be relevant (if applicable).
29 Including seed houses.
20
8 Farmers’ participation in decision-making at local, national and
sub-regional, regional and international levels
9 Training, capacity development and public awareness creation X
10 Legal measures for the implementation of Farmers’ Rights, such as
legislative measures related to PGRFA.
11 Other measures / practices
In case you selected ‘other measures’, would you like to suggest a description of this measure, e.g. as
a possible new category? ____________________________________________________________
Objective(s)
Target group(s) and numbers of involved and affected farmers30
Location(s) and geographical outreach
Resources used for implementation of the measure/practice
How has the measure/practice affected the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources
for food and agriculture?
Please describe the achievements of the measure/ practice so far (including quantification) (max 200
words)
Other national level instruments that are linked to the measure/practice
Are you aware of any other international agreements or programs that are relevant for this
measure/practice?
Other issues you wish to address, that have not yet been covered, to describe the measure/practice
Lessons learned
Describe lessons learned which may be relevant for others who wish to do the same or similar
measures/practices (max 250 words).
It is important to engage users of a plant genetic resource information management system in the design,
testing, and implementation of the system. Do not rely solely on software developers and engineers to
design the system, otherwise it will not adequately serve genebank personnel, researchers, breeders, and
farmers.
What challenges encountered along the way (if applicable) (max 200 words)
Initial estimates for the duration and cost of complicated software development projects likely
underestimate the time and expense required to complete the project.
What would you consider conditions for success, if others should seek to carry out such a measure
or organize such an activity? (max 100 words)
A diverse team of software users (genebank personnel, researchers, breeders, farmers) and software
developers is vital for success. A vibrant advisory committee is important for effectively setting
priorities and providing project guidance.
30 Any classification, e.g. of the types of farmer addressed, may be country-specific.
21
Further information
Link(s) to further information about the measure/practice
www.ars-grin.gov
22
National Plant Germplasm System
Basic information
Title of measure/practice National Plant Germplasm System
Date of submission July 30, 2019
Name(s) of country/countries in which the measure/practice is taking place United States
Responsible institution/organization (name, address, website (if applicable), e-mail address, telephone
number(s) and contact person) U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service
Type of institution/organization (categories) Government
Collaborating/supporting institutions/organizations/actors, if applicable (name, address, website (if
applicable), e-mail address, telephone number(s))
Description of the examples
Mandatory information:31
Short summary to be put in the inventory (max. 200 words) including:
o Implementing entity and partners
o Start year
o Objective(s)
o Summary of core components
o Key outcomes
o Lessons learned (if applicable)
The U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) is collaborative effort to safeguard the genetic
diversity of agriculturally important plants, and make them available for research, breeding, education,
and production. The NPGS is managed by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the in-house research
agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Many NPGS genebanks are located at
state land-grant university sites, which contribute lab, office, greenhouse and field space for operations, as
well as staff for technical and support services. The public and private sectors areareare major users of the
NPGS collections. The private sectoris the primary means by which new and improved plants are
commercialized. The mission of the NPGS is to support agricultural production by 1) acquiring crop
germplasm, 2) conserving germplasm, 3) evaluating and characterizing germplasm, 4) documenting
germplasm, and 5) distributing germplasm and associated information.
Brief history (including starting year), as appropriate
The earliest components of today’s NPGS date to 1898 and the USDA Plant Exploration Office and the
National Small Grain Collection, with major expansions in the late 1940s with the establishment of four
regional plant introduction stations and the interregional potato station, the National Seed Storage
Laboratory (now the National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation) in 1958, the cotton and
soybean germplasm collection in the 1970s, and the mid-1980s with the addition of nine genebank sites
with primarily clonally-propagated crops. Currently the NPGS comprises 20 different genebank sites, the
GRIN-Global information management system, and 43 Crop Germplasm Committees.
Core components of the measure/practice (max 200 words)
Ex situ plant genetic resource management involves acquiring (exploration or exchange), maintaining (in
cold storage or plantings), propagating, distributing, characterizing (genotyping), evaluating
31 This mandatory information is required in order for the measure/practice to be included in the Inventory.
23
(phenotyping), and enhancing plant genetic resources. Information associated with plant genetic resources
is also obtained, maintained, and distributed. The NPGS conserves and makes available, free of charge
and restriction, 596,000 different germplasm accessions of more than 16,000 different species. The
NPGS annually distributes an average of ca. 250,000 accessions to researchers, breeders, educators, and
farmers. An average of about 2/3 of the distributions are to domestic recipients, and about 1/3 to
international recipients. More than a billion data points associated with those accessions are delivered to
users via the GRIN-Global information management system.
Description of the context and the history of the measure/practice is taking place (political, legal and
economic framework conditions for the measure/practice) (max 200 words)
The USDA was founded in 1862 with legislation which stipulated that the new Department would
“procure, propagate, and distribute among the people new and valuable seeds and plants.” Before a US seed industry emerged in the early 20th Century, USDA provided millions of seeds directly to farmers/producers. The 1946 Research and Marketing Act enabled USDA to partner with US agricultural universities and State Agricultural Experiment Stations to establish Plant Introduction Stations. Budgetary increases in the 1980s enabled the establishment of clonal genebank sites. The NPGS emerged as a nationally-coordinated system in the 1980s. The overall legal framework for the
NPGS was established as part of the US National Genetic Resources Program, authorized by the US
Congress through the 1990 Farm Bill.
To which provision(s) of Article 9 of the International Treaty does this measure relate
Art. 9.2b
Other information, if applicable
Please indicate which category of the Inventory is most relevant for the proposed measure, and which
other categories are also relevant (if any):
No. Category Most
relevant32
Also
relevant33
1 Recognition of local and indigenous communities’, farmers’
contributions to conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, such
as awards and recognition of custodian/guardian farmers
2 Financial contributions to support farmers conservation and
sustainable use of PGRFA such as contributions to benefit-sharing
funds
3 Approaches to encourage income-generating activities to support
farmers’ conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA
4 Catalogues, registries and other forms of documentation of PGRFA
and protection of traditional knowledge
X
32 Please select only one category that is most relevant, under which the measure will be listed.
33 Please select one or several categories that may also be relevant (if applicable).
24
5 In-situ/on-farm conservation and management of PGRFA, such as
social and cultural measures, community biodiversity management
and conservation sites
X
6 Facilitation of farmers’ access to a diversity of PGRFA through
community seed banks34, seed networks and other measures
improving farmers’ choices of a wider diversity of PGRFA.
X
7 Participatory approaches to research on PGRFA, including
characterization and evaluation, participatory plant breeding and
variety selection
X
8 Farmers’ participation in decision-making at local, national and
sub-regional, regional and international levels
X
9 Training, capacity development and public awareness creation X
10 Legal measures for the implementation of Farmers’ Rights, such as
legislative measures related to PGRFA.
11 Other measures / practices
In case you selected ‘other measures’, would you like to suggest a description of this measure, e.g. as
a possible new category? ____________________________________________________________
Objective(s)
Target group(s) and numbers of involved and affected farmers35
Location(s) and geographical outreach
Resources used for implementation of the measure/practice
How has the measure/practice affected the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources
for food and agriculture?
Please describe the achievements of the measure/ practice so far (including quantification) (max 200
words)
Other national level instruments that are linked to the measure/practice
Are you aware of any other international agreements or programs that are relevant for this
measure/practice?
Other issues you wish to address, that have not yet been covered, to describe the measure/practice
Lessons learned
Describe lessons learned which may be relevant for others who wish to do the same or similar
measures/practices (max 250 words).
A national genetic resource system such as the NPGS can function effectively only through a strong
partnership among multiple institutions and sectors. In the case of the NPGS, the Federal government,
through the USDA, State Agriculture Experiment Stations/Land Grant Universities, and the private-sector
(commodity organizations, farmers, agricultural technology and seed providers) compose that partnership.
34 Including seed houses.
35 Any classification, e.g. of the types of farmer addressed, may be country-specific.
25
Advisory and technical groups such as the National Genetic Resources Advisory Council, the National
Plant Germplasm Coordinating Committee, and the 43 Crop Germplasm Committees have provided key
guidance for the NPGS throughout its history.
What challenges encountered along the way (if applicable) (max 200 words)
Coordinating a geographically-diffuse and highly diverse group of genebanks requires meeting the
challenge of enabling local autonomy but also a core of uniform national procedures and practices.
Maintaining financial support for the NPGS over decades requires continual effort.
What would you consider conditions for success, if others should seek to carry out such a measure
or organize such an activity? (max 100 words)
Persistent and continual funding is critical for any national genetic resources system. Genebanks
cannot be funded solely by grants that provide short-term support.
Further information
Link(s) to further information about the measure/practice
www.ars-grin.gov
26
Office of Technology Transfer
Basic information
Title of measure/practice Office of Technology Transfer
Date of submission July 30, 2019
Name(s) of country/countries in which the measure/practice is taking place United States
Responsible institution/organization (name, address, website (if applicable), e-mail address, telephone
number(s) and contact person) U.S. Department of Agriculture
Type of institution/organization (categories) Government
Collaborating/supporting institutions/organizations/actors, if applicable (name, address, website (if
applicable), e-mail address, telephone number(s))
Description of the examples
Mandatory information:36
Short summary to be put in the inventory (max. 200 words) including:
o Implementing entity and partners
o Start year
o Objective(s)
o Summary of core components
o Key outcomes
o Lessons learned (if applicable)
The USDA Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) is responsible for facilitating the adoption of USDA
research discoveries, which ultimately benefit farmers with new varieties that are disease, pest, and stress
tolerant and produce higher yields. This provides broad public benefits,, including public release of
information, tools, and solutions (e.g., germplasm, plants and other materials), adoption and enhancement
of research outcomes by partners through collaborative research, formal cooperative research and
development agreements, direct Federal, state, or local technical assistance, or through licensing of
biological materials or protected intellectual property directly to not-for-profit entities and for-profit
private sector firms.
Brief history (including starting year), as appropriate
See description of context/history below.
Core components of the measure/practice (max 200 words)
To facilitate technology transfer, OTT is organized into three sections. The Partnership and
Administration Section conducts day-to-day operations, coordinates technology transfer policy
development, interacts with Office of National Programs on agreement policy and review. This section is
also responsible for coordinating, managing, and reviewing agreements, and marketing of ARS patented
inventions. The Patent Section of OTT provides strategic guidance to scientists regarding patent
protection for their research results. The section is also responsible for receiving invention reports;
convening three national patent committees (Mechanical and Measurement, Life Sciences, and
Chemistry), and a Plant Protection Committee; preparing and prosecuting patent applications; and
reviewing patent legal work performed by a cooperator and an ARS contract law firm. The Licensing
Section of OTT manages invention licensing from all the intramural scientists in every USDA agency,
36 This mandatory information is required in order for the measure/practice to be included in the Inventory.
27
including the review of license applications, negotiation of licenses, and monitoring of license agreements
to assure compliance. This section also collects and disburses license revenues, manages international
patent filings, and provides expert advice on all matters related to USDA invention licensing.
Description of the context and the history of the measure/practice is taking place (political, legal and
economic framework conditions for the measure/practice) (max 200 words)
The 1980 Steven-Wydler Act established an Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA) in
each Federal laboratory to coordinate and promote technology transfer. The USDA has one ORTA (the
Office of Technology Transfer, OTT) for the entire Department that has the delegated authority to
administer the invention licensing program for all intramural research.
Because the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) mission is to transfer technologies for broad
public use by the most effective mechanism, ARS pursues patents and licensing principally only when
there is a need to incentivize commercialization and to facilitate technology transfer.
To which provision(s) of Article 9 of the International Treaty does this measure relate
Art. 9.2b
Other information, if applicable
Please indicate which category of the Inventory is most relevant for the proposed measure, and which
other categories are also relevant (if any):
No. Category Most
relevant37
Also
relevant38
1 Recognition of local and indigenous communities’, farmers’
contributions to conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, such
as awards and recognition of custodian/guardian farmers
2 Financial contributions to support farmers conservation and
sustainable use of PGRFA such as contributions to benefit-sharing
funds
3 Approaches to encourage income-generating activities to support
farmers’ conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA
4 Catalogues, registries and other forms of documentation of PGRFA
and protection of traditional knowledge
5 In-situ/on-farm conservation and management of PGRFA, such as
social and cultural measures, community biodiversity management
and conservation sites
37 Please select only one category that is most relevant, under which the measure will be listed.
38 Please select one or several categories that may also be relevant (if applicable).
28
6 Facilitation of farmers’ access to a diversity of PGRFA through
community seed banks39, seed networks and other measures
improving farmers’ choices of a wider diversity of PGRFA.
X
7 Participatory approaches to research on PGRFA, including
characterization and evaluation, participatory plant breeding and
variety selection
8 Farmers’ participation in decision-making at local, national and
sub-regional, regional and international levels
9 Training, capacity development and public awareness creation
10 Legal measures for the implementation of Farmers’ Rights, such as
legislative measures related to PGRFA.
11 Other measures / practices
In case you selected ‘other measures’, would you like to suggest a description of this measure, e.g. as
a possible new category? ____________________________________________________________
Objective(s)
Target group(s) and numbers of involved and affected farmers40
Location(s) and geographical outreach
Resources used for implementation of the measure/practice
How has the measure/practice affected the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources
for food and agriculture?
Please describe the achievements of the measure/ practice so far (including quantification) (max 200
words)
Other national level instruments that are linked to the measure/practice
Are you aware of any other international agreements or programs that are relevant for this
measure/practice?
Other issues you wish to address, that have not yet been covered, to describe the measure/practice
Lessons learned
Describe lessons learned which may be relevant for others who wish to do the same or similar
measures/practices (max 250 words).
What challenges encountered along the way (if applicable) (max 200 words)
What would you consider conditions for success, if others should seek to carry out such a measure
or organize such an activity? (max 100 words)
Further information
Link(s) to further information about the measure/practice
39 Including seed houses.
40 Any classification, e.g. of the types of farmer addressed, may be country-specific.
29
https://www.ars.usda.gov/office-of-technology-transfer/
30
Public Access to Expired PVP Seeds
Basic information
Title of measure/practice Public Access to Expired PVP Seeds
Date of submission July 30, 2019
Name(s) of country/countries in which the measure/practice is taking place United States
Responsible institution/organization (name, address, website (if applicable), e-mail address, telephone
number(s) and contact person) U.S. Department of Agriculture
Type of institution/organization (categories) Government
Collaborating/supporting institutions/organizations/actors, if applicable (name, address, website (if
applicable), e-mail address, telephone number(s))
Description of the examples
Mandatory information:41
Short summary to be put in the inventory (max. 200 words) including:
o Implementing entity and partners
o Start year
o Objective(s)
o Summary of core components
o Key outcomes
o Lessons learned (if applicable)
In the U.S., seed samples of protected varieties are available to the public through the US National Plant
Germplasm System (NPGS) when the plant variety protection on the variety expires for any reason. At
that point, seed samples are transferred to the NPGS genebanks and can be requested by farmers,
breeders, and the public without restrictions for use in research, plant breeding, and education.
Brief history (including starting year), as appropriate
This arrangement has been in place since the mid 1970’s.
Core components of the measure/practice (max 200 words)
Under an agreement between the US Plant Variety Protection Office and the NPGS, seeds of expired PVP
varieties are transferred from the private to the public area of the NPGS repository so that germplasm can
be freely distribute to qualified variety developers, which will ultimately benefit farmers.
Description of the context and the history of the measure/practice is taking place (political, legal and
economic framework conditions for the measure/practice) (max 200 words)
See core components.
To which provision(s) of Article 9 of the International Treaty does this measure relate
Art. 9.2b
Art. 9.2c
Other information, if applicable
41 This mandatory information is required in order for the measure/practice to be included in the Inventory.
31
Please indicate which category of the Inventory is most relevant for the proposed measure, and which
other categories are also relevant (if any):
No. Category Most
relevant42
Also
relevant43
1 Recognition of local and indigenous communities’, farmers’
contributions to conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, such
as awards and recognition of custodian/guardian farmers
2 Financial contributions to support farmers conservation and
sustainable use of PGRFA such as contributions to benefit-sharing
funds
3 Approaches to encourage income-generating activities to support
farmers’ conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA
4 Catalogues, registries and other forms of documentation of PGRFA
and protection of traditional knowledge
X
5 In-situ/on-farm conservation and management of PGRFA, such as
social and cultural measures, community biodiversity management
and conservation sites
6 Facilitation of farmers’ access to a diversity of PGRFA through
community seed banks44, seed networks and other measures
improving farmers’ choices of a wider diversity of PGRFA.
X
7 Participatory approaches to research on PGRFA, including
characterization and evaluation, participatory plant breeding and
variety selection
8 Farmers’ participation in decision-making at local, national and
sub-regional, regional and international levels
X
9 Training, capacity development and public awareness creation
10 Legal measures for the implementation of Farmers’ Rights, such as
legislative measures related to PGRFA.
11 Other measures / practices
In case you selected ‘other measures’, would you like to suggest a description of this measure, e.g. as
a possible new category? ____________________________________________________________
Objective(s)
Target group(s) and numbers of involved and affected farmers45
42 Please select only one category that is most relevant, under which the measure will be listed.
43 Please select one or several categories that may also be relevant (if applicable).
44 Including seed houses.
45 Any classification, e.g. of the types of farmer addressed, may be country-specific.
32
Location(s) and geographical outreach
Resources used for implementation of the measure/practice
How has the measure/practice affected the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources
for food and agriculture?
Please describe the achievements of the measure/ practice so far (including quantification) (max 200
words)
Other national level instruments that are linked to the measure/practice
Are you aware of any other international agreements or programs that are relevant for this
measure/practice?
Other issues you wish to address, that have not yet been covered, to describe the measure/practice
Lessons learned
Describe lessons learned which may be relevant for others who wish to do the same or similar
measures/practices (max 250 words).
What challenges encountered along the way (if applicable) (max 200 words)
What would you consider conditions for success, if others should seek to carry out such a measure
or organize such an activity? (max 100 words)
Further information
Link(s) to further information about the measure/practice
33
Right to Save Seed under PVPA
Basic information
Title of measure/practice Right to Save Seed under PVPA
Date of submission July 30, 2019
Name(s) of country/countries in which the measure/practice is taking place United States
Responsible institution/organization (name, address, website (if applicable), e-mail address, telephone
number(s) and contact person) U.S. Department of Agriculture
Type of institution/organization (categories) Government
Collaborating/supporting institutions/organizations/actors, if applicable (name, address, website (if
applicable), e-mail address, telephone number(s))
Description of the examples
Mandatory information:46
Short summary to be put in the inventory (max. 200 words) including:
o Implementing entity and partners
o Start year
o Objective(s)
o Summary of core components
o Key outcomes
o Lessons learned (if applicable)
The U.S. Plant Variety Protection (PVP) law encourages the development of novel varieties of sexually
and certain asexually reproduced plants and makes them available to the public, providing protection
available to those who breed, develop, or discover them, and thereby promotes progress in agriculture in
the public interest. Under this law, farmers have the right to save seed of a protected variety for use on
their own land as long as no other agreements have been established between the breeder and farmer,
which may restrict this.
Brief history (including starting year), as appropriate
First enacted in 1970, the right to save seed/crop exemption is found at 7 U.S.C. § 2543. It was enacted
alongside the creation of a breeders’ rights certificate legal framework.
Core components of the measure/practice (max 200 words)
The legislation provides that a person will not infringe breeders’ rights if that person saves seed produced
by themselves from seed obtained, or descended from seed obtained, by authority of the owner of the
variety for seeding purposes, and uses such saved seed in production of a crop for use on the farm of the
person.
Description of the context and the history of the measure/practice is taking place (political, legal and
economic framework conditions for the measure/practice) (max 200 words)
As described above, this provision was enacted alongside a statutory framework to encourage the
development of novel varieties of, at the time, sexually reproduced plants and to make them available to
46 This mandatory information is required in order for the measure/practice to be included in the Inventory.
34
the public, providing protection available to those who breed, develop, or discover them, and thereby
promoting progress in agriculture in the public interest—including farmers.
To which provision(s) of Article 9 of the International Treaty does this measure relate
Art. 9.3
Other information, if applicable
Please indicate which category of the Inventory is most relevant for the proposed measure, and which
other categories are also relevant (if any):
No. Category Most
relevant47
Also
relevant48
1 Recognition of local and indigenous communities’, farmers’
contributions to conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, such
as awards and recognition of custodian/guardian farmers
2 Financial contributions to support farmers conservation and
sustainable use of PGRFA such as contributions to benefit-sharing
funds
3 Approaches to encourage income-generating activities to support
farmers’ conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA
4 Catalogues, registries and other forms of documentation of PGRFA
and protection of traditional knowledge
5 In-situ/on-farm conservation and management of PGRFA, such as
social and cultural measures, community biodiversity management
and conservation sites
6 Facilitation of farmers’ access to a diversity of PGRFA through
community seed banks49, seed networks and other measures
improving farmers’ choices of a wider diversity of PGRFA.
7 Participatory approaches to research on PGRFA, including
characterization and evaluation, participatory plant breeding and
variety selection
8 Farmers’ participation in decision-making at local, national and
sub-regional, regional and international levels
9 Training, capacity development and public awareness creation
10 Legal measures for the implementation of Farmers’ Rights, such as
legislative measures related to PGRFA.
X
47 Please select only one category that is most relevant, under which the measure will be listed.
48 Please select one or several categories that may also be relevant (if applicable).
49 Including seed houses.
35
11 Other measures / practices
In case you selected ‘other measures’, would you like to suggest a description of this measure, e.g. as
a possible new category? ____________________________________________________________
Objective(s)
Target group(s) and numbers of involved and affected farmers50
Location(s) and geographical outreach
Resources used for implementation of the measure/practice
How has the measure/practice affected the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources
for food and agriculture?
Please describe the achievements of the measure/ practice so far (including quantification) (max 200
words)
Other national level instruments that are linked to the measure/practice
Are you aware of any other international agreements or programs that are relevant for this
measure/practice?
Other issues you wish to address, that have not yet been covered, to describe the measure/practice
Lessons learned
Describe lessons learned which may be relevant for others who wish to do the same or similar
measures/practices (max 250 words).
What challenges encountered along the way (if applicable) (max 200 words)
What would you consider conditions for success, if others should seek to carry out such a measure
or organize such an activity? (max 100 words)
Further information
Link(s) to further information about the measure/practice
50 Any classification, e.g. of the types of farmer addressed, may be country-specific.
36
USDA Crop Germplasm Committees
Basic information
Title of measure/practice USDA Crop Germplasm Committees
Date of submission July 30, 2019
Name(s) of country/countries in which the measure/practice is taking place United States
Responsible institution/organization (name, address, website (if applicable), e-mail address, telephone
number(s) and contact person) U.S. Department of Agriculture
Type of institution/organization (categories) Government
Collaborating/supporting institutions/organizations/actors, if applicable (name, address, website (if
applicable), e-mail address, telephone number(s))
Description of the examples
Mandatory information:51
Short summary to be put in the inventory (max. 200 words) including:
o Implementing entity and partners
o Start year
o Objective(s)
o Summary of core components
o Key outcomes
o Lessons learned (if applicable)
The Crop Germplasm Committees (CGC) comprise a cross section of National Plant
Germplasm System (NPGS) users, including farmers, who provide technical support to NPGS
genebanks and collections They serve as subject matter experts to guide curatorial staff on best
practices, including the priorities and techniques for characterizing the collections. They also
help review proposals that fund plant explorations and evaluate grants for scientific rigor.
There are currently 43 CGCs representing almost all major and minor crops of economic
importance in the United States. Each committee includes a chair and members from government
agencies, universities, and commercial interest groups, such as commodity groups and
farmer/producers, who volunteer their time and expertise to support the NPGS.
Brief history (including starting year), as appropriate .
The first CGCs were established in the mid-1980s as outgrowths of commodity-specific crop
improvement/breeding conferences. The initial CGCs covered primarily the major agricultural
commodities (grains, pulses, oilseeds); CGCs for horticultural and specialty crops were initially
established in the late-1980s.
Core components of the measure/practice (max 200 words)
CGCs are needed to provide sound information and authoritative technical input regarding the
conservation and use of germplasm of specific crops. Selection for membership on a CGC carries with it
both national and professional prestige as recognized by the competence required, importance of issues
51 This mandatory information is required in order for the measure/practice to be included in the Inventory.
37
considered, influence on research, and support of genetic resource management activities. The CGCs
serve their crop commodity groups and provide expert input to individuals or organizations such as the
USDA/Agricultural Research Service (ARS), State Agricultural Experiment Stations (SAES), and others
on technical matters relating to crop germplasm, its collection, preservation, characterization, evaluation,
enhancement, and effective utilization. The CGCs develop comprehensive Crop Vulnerability Statements
and concise Crop Vulnerability Updates which assess a crop’s or group of crop’s vulnerabilities to
specific threats, and the adequacy of the germplasm base for a crop or group of crops. These reports
inform appropriate governmental and private agencies of the needs for broadening and strengthening each
base via additional exploration, collection, acquisition of private collections, and evaluation. They also
develop and provide a strategic overview of the total national scientific effort devoted to the study and
utilization of germplasm of specific crops or group of crops and identify priorities and cooperative
approaches for improvements in the germplasm management system where needs are apparent.
Description of the context and the history of the measure/practice is taking place (political, legal and
economic framework conditions for the measure/practice) (max 200 words)
The CGCs are informal groups, initially organized by NPGS personnel who recognized the need for
regular, broad-based germplasm user input. External input from knowledgeable germplasm users—
researchers, breeders, educators, producers/farmers-- is critical for guiding the operations of the US
NPGS so that it can optimally conserve a broad spectrum of genetic diversity and make that diversity as
widely accessible as possible. In agriculture, production of most key food, feed, fuel, fiber, and
ornamental crops, and associated research is generally crop-commodity oriented. Therefore, plant genetic
resources (“crop germplasm”) and their conservation and use are also most effectively considered on a
crop-by-crop basis.
Research and development efforts on crop germplasm involve collective support from U. S. Federal and
State agencies and private industry. The boundaries for each sector’s responsibilities and efforts are
difficult to delimit. There is a continuum from the utilization of germplasm in agricultural production
back through seed/propagative material production, breeding, enhancement, evaluation, characterization,
preservation, and the acquisition of plant genetic resources and associated information. The acquisition,
preservation, characterization, and distribution of basic germplasm stocks and associated information are
mainly supported by Federal and State funds whereas the production and delivery of commercial
seeds/propagative material to the grower is largely in the hands of private industry.
To which provision(s) of Article 9 of the International Treaty does this measure relate
Art. 9.2b
Art. 9.2c
Other information, if applicable
Please indicate which category of the Inventory is most relevant for the proposed measure, and which
other categories are also relevant (if any):
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No. Category Most
relevant52
Also
relevant53
1 Recognition of local and indigenous communities’, farmers’
contributions to conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, such
as awards and recognition of custodian/guardian farmers
2 Financial contributions to support farmers conservation and
sustainable use of PGRFA such as contributions to benefit-sharing
funds
3 Approaches to encourage income-generating activities to support
farmers’ conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA
4 Catalogues, registries and other forms of documentation of PGRFA
and protection of traditional knowledge
5 In-situ/on-farm conservation and management of PGRFA, such as
social and cultural measures, community biodiversity management
and conservation sites
6 Facilitation of farmers’ access to a diversity of PGRFA through
community seed banks54, seed networks and other measures
improving farmers’ choices of a wider diversity of PGRFA.
7 Participatory approaches to research on PGRFA, including
characterization and evaluation, participatory plant breeding and
variety selection
X
8 Farmers’ participation in decision-making at local, national and
sub-regional, regional and international levels
X
9 Training, capacity development and public awareness creation X
10 Legal measures for the implementation of Farmers’ Rights, such as
legislative measures related to PGRFA.
11 Other measures / practices
In case you selected ‘other measures’, would you like to suggest a description of this measure, e.g. as
a possible new category? ____________________________________________________________
Objective(s)
Target group(s) and numbers of involved and affected farmers55
Location(s) and geographical outreach
Resources used for implementation of the measure/practice
52 Please select only one category that is most relevant, under which the measure will be listed.
53 Please select one or several categories that may also be relevant (if applicable).
54 Including seed houses.
55 Any classification, e.g. of the types of farmer addressed, may be country-specific.
39
How has the measure/practice affected the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources
for food and agriculture?
Please describe the achievements of the measure/ practice so far (including quantification) (max 200
words)
Other national level instruments that are linked to the measure/practice
Are you aware of any other international agreements or programs that are relevant for this
measure/practice?
Other issues you wish to address, that have not yet been covered, to describe the measure/practice
Lessons learned
Describe lessons learned which may be relevant for others who wish to do the same or similar
measures/practices (max 250 words).
The most effective CGCs are led by an engaged and committed Chair, and incorporate a broad diversity
(scientific discipline, public and private-sector, farmers and scientists, different US geographical regions)
of perspectives and experiences.
What challenges encountered along the way (if applicable) (max 200 words)
CGCs are voluntary. Because their members are experts, their time is precious, so arranging regular
meetings and conferences can be problematic.
What would you consider conditions for success, if others should seek to carry out such a measure
or organize such an activity? (max 100 words)
An engaged and committed committee Chair is crucial for success.
Further information
Link(s) to further information about the measure/practice
https://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs/cgcweb.html