Report of the Third Meeting of the CGIAR Genetic Resources Policy Committee

A summary report of the major conclusions of the third meeting of the CGIAR Genetic Resources Policy Committee held in Rolle, Switzerland in February 1996, prepared by Chairman M. S. Swaminathan and distributed in advance of MTM96. The record also contains the full report of the third meeting. Issues discussed included the tendency for some to identify emphasis in the Convention on Biological Diversity on promoting benefits for the poor with distribution of germplasm solely on the basis of bilateral negotiations. This was contrary to CGIAR belief in unrestricted availability of genetic resources for major food crops. Other topics were CGIAR participation in major conferences during 1996, CGIAR policy on intellectual property rights relating to genetic resources, and the possibility of IPGRI adding a policy unit.Agenda document, CGIAR Mid Term Meeting, May 1996