Reports of the Ninth and Tenth Meetings of the CGIAR Private Sector Committee

Reports of the ninth and tenth meetings of the CGIAR Private Sector Committee (PSC) as distributed for consideration at the CGIAR mid term meeting in May 1999.The ninth meeting was held in Paris on October 1 and 2, 1998, chaired by Sam Dryden. Geoff Hawtin presented an overview of CGIAR policies on intellectual property rights and biotechnology. The Committee discussed the recourse available in the case of a violation of a center material transfer agreement, and private firms' need to know the rules involved in transactions with centers. The Committee responded to the System Review report. Its comments were presented separately at CGIAR International Centers Week 1998. It also heard a report on the CGIAR Secretariat study of partnerships and networks. A newcomer's appreciation of the CGIAR by Susan Crisp-Jungklaus is attached.The tenth meeting was held at the AgrEvo Conference Center in Hattershiem, Germany on March 11 and 12, 1999, chaired by Sam Dryden. Susan Crisp-Jungklaus of AgrEvo presented an overview of developments at AgrEvo, including its role in a planned life sciences company Aventis, and a summary of strategic factors prominent in the thinking of private firms. Committee Chair Dryden reported on the February 1999 meeting of the CGIAR Consultative Council. The Committee discussed the pros and cons of the central patenting unit recommended by the System Review. The Committee heard presentations on AgrEvo collaboration with public and private sector partners. A majority disagreed with the ICW 1998 decision not to incorporate gene protection (terminator gene) technologies into CGIAR breeding materials. The Committee prepared a number of suggestions to the CGIAR concerning changes in its role, composition, and working procedures, which were discussed at MTM99.Agenda document, CGIAR Mid Term Meeting, May 1999