March 2014: The Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR) has invited parties to submit information on the sustainable use of, and the Global Information System on, plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

In accordance with the relevant decisions of the ITPGR Governing Body, information on national actions or activities related to sustainable use should address: the indicators for monitoring the implementation of the Second Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture; measures and activities that promote the sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture as contained in the programme of work on sustainable use; and access of all farmers to plant genetic resources in the Multilateral System and the broadening of the genetic base of crops in use. Information should be submitted by 15 September 2014.

In preparation for the Consultation on the Global Information System on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, parties are invited to submit information, by 10 July 2014, on: users’ needs and national and regional priorities on information exchange; initiatives and programmes relevant for the development of ITPGR Article 17; information gaps on scientific, technical and environmental matters on plant genetic resources; best practices and appropriate methodologies for an effective global information system; and other relevant inputs for the elaboration of a vision paper. [ITPGR Notification on Sustainable Use][ITPGR Notification on the Global Information System]