International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture: An Assessment

Abstract

The sustainable use of plant genetic resources (PGR),
has been a common concern of humankind. The
conservation and sustainable use of PGR is of critical
importance for meeting the food, health and other needs
of the growing world population. Earlier PGR were
considered a common heritage of mankind and were
freely available for acquisition and utilization, but with
the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) coming
into force with effect from December 29, 1993, the
sovereign rights of the nations over their biological
resources have been recognised and the nations are
responsible for conservation of biological diversity and
using it in a sustainable manner