Concerns for proposed amendments to Peru's International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty)

Regarding the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty):

What does the Plant Treaty entail?

A global agreement with legal force, adopted by the FAO in 2001, took effect in 2004.

India has signed the treaty.

Connected to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the FAO’s Global Plan of Action.

Objectives:

Preservation and sustainable utilization of plant genetic resources.

Just and equal distribution of benefits arising from the utilization of these resources.

Guarantee food stability and preserve agrobiodiversity.

Main Characteristics of the Agreement:

Multilateral Framework (MLF):

Includes 64 food and forage crops detailed in Annex I (e.g., rice, wheat, corn, legumes).

Enhances access to plant genetic resources among member nations.

Facilitates benefit-sharing via technology transfer, skills development, and commercial income.

Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA):

Regulatory structure for obtaining and sharing plant genetic resources.

Farmers’ Rights (Article 9):

• Authority to preserve, trade, and market seeds.
• Acknowledgment of native wisdom and community input.
• Participation in decision-making processes.

Global Information System (Article 17):

• Encourages the exchange of information on plant genetic resources.
• What does the New Proposal entail?
• The revisions suggest broadening compulsory requirements within the Multilateral System (Annex I).
• All plant germplasm must be shared according to the SMTA established by the Governing Body, overriding India’s national regulations.
• Might undermine India’s sovereign rights and authority over native plant species.
• Could jeopardize conventional farming methods and seed-saving customs of small-scale farmers.