30 September 2016: On 28 September 2016, following expression of broad support from stakeholders, including public institutions and the seed industry, the US Senate provided its consent to the ratification of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR).

The US Senate adopted a resolution of advice and consent for the ratification, with one declaration and one understanding. To complete the ratification process, the country has to deposit a formal instrument of ratification with the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), who is the depository. The Treaty will enter into force for the US on the 90th day after the deposit, bringing the number of Parties to the ITPGR to 141.

ITPGR Secretary Shakeel Bhatti said, “The joining of the US will represent a major milestone towards universal membership of the Treaty. The US holds some of the largest public and best-documented crop genebank collections in the world. These collections are regularly used by researchers and breeders from all over the world in support of global food security. At the same time, the US relies on genetic diversity from other countries to guarantee a sustainable agriculture. This ratification, once completed, will benefit both the country and the global plant community of the Treaty.” [FAO Press Release] [List of ITPGR Parties] [US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations]