25/01/2017

Australia has made a contribution of AU$1 million (US$719,000) to the Benefit Sharing Fund (BSF) of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the Treaty). Under the Treaty, the genetic resources of the world’s most important food crops can be conserved and shared.

Australia’s contribution brings the total funds raised for the next BSF funding cycle to $3.5 million. As agreed by the Treaty Governing Body in October 2015, $10 million is required to launch the cycle.

The BSF supports the conservation of seed materials and will deliver greater access to genetic resources to assist farmers in adapting to climate related stress factors. It is an important way to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals especially SDG 2.5 - ensuring access to and sharing of the benefits from utilizing genetic resources. The timeline for this goal is 2020 which is now only three years away.

Australia’s contribution will assist farming communities in developing countries, including those in the Asia-Pacific to improve their food security. Farmers in the Asia-Pacific face a number of significant climate challenges and other threats to food production. Previous projects under the Benefit Sharing Fund have been able to assist farmers in addressing these challenge, for example, by identifying rice varieties with good flood adaptability in Indonesia.

To make a contribution to the BSF, including a contribution with a specific crop or regional focus, contact the Treaty Secretariat and speak with a dedicated member of staff on BSF contributions.

For more information email [email protected] or call +39 06 570 53441