The FAO Conference, at its 31st session in November 2001, approved the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Its objectives are the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from their use. The Treaty was opened for signature at FAO Headquarters from 3 November 2001 until 4 November 2002, during which time 77 States plus the European Community signed the Treaty. The current status (11 June 2003) is that 21 States have ratified, accepted, approved or acceded to the Treaty. It enters into force on the 90th day after the deposit of the 40th instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. Governments that have ratified it will make up its Governing Body. At its first meeting, the Governing Body will take decisions on important matters , such as the level, form and manner of monetary payments on commercialisation, a standard Material Transfer Agreement, mechanisms for compliance, and the funding strategy. Countries may therefore consider it important to be among the first to ratify, so as to ensure that their national and regional interests can be taken into account at this first meeting. See http://www.fao.org/Legal/TREATIES/033s-e.htm or contact [email protected] for more information.

17/06/2003