The letter to the leadership of the Senate's Committee on Foreign Relations, including Chairman Joseph Biden and Ranking Member Richard Lugar, reiterated the paramount importance of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR) to the seed industry. ASTA conveyed its support of U.S. ratification of the treaty, a comprehensive international agreement which aims to ensure food security through the conservation, exchange and sustainable use of the world's plant genetic resources for the production of food and agriculture. The treaty addresses both the conservation of genetic resources and their use with equitable benefits which are crucial to secure their availability to plant breeders in order to bring improved crop yields and profitability to farmers. ASTA believes it essential that the U.S. government be fully engaged as a Party to the international treaty so that the issues of importance to the seed industry, and thus American agriculture, are effectively addressed. On July 7, President Bush transmitted the ITPGR to the Senate for its advice and consent on the ratification. The treaty was adopted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on November 3, 2001. Although the United States officially signed the treaty on November 1, 2002, Senate confirmation is required before a treaty is officially ratified. ASTA staff will continue to provide additional information and reinforce the values of the treaty to Members of the Committee and their staff. Should the Congress adjourn before considering the treaty, it will be carried over in the next Congress.

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