The publication presents discussions and recommendations on the implementation of the AnGr Global Plan of Action, among other focus issues such as targets, indicators and Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), at the seventh meeting of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources (ITWGAnGr).
December 2012: The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has released the report of the seventh meeting of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources (ITWGAnGr).
The report presents highlights of discussions and recommendations on: the review of implementation of the Global Plan of Action (GPA) for AnGr, draft technical guidelines for GPA implementation, and the review of implementation of the Plan’s funding strategy; roles of small-scale livestock keepers in the conservation and sustainable use of AnGr; the Second Report on the State of the World’s AnGr; targets and indicators; the status and trends of micro-organisms for ruminant digestion; and access and benefit-sharing for AnGR.
On GPA implementation, the ITGW, among other issues: requests FAO and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to continue their joint efforts to establish an open access AnGr Database; encourages FAO to collaborate with regional organizations, civil society and the private sector in improving the management of AnGR; and requests FAO to continue to pursue partnerships and alliances with other international mechanisms and organizations to enhance the mobilization of financial resources.
On targets and indicators, the ITWG agreed on a proposed process and resource indicators to monitor GPA implementation, and invited FAO to collaborate with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and other partners in developing agreed definitions for key terms.
With regard to ABS, the ITWG welcomed the report of the Ad hoc Technical Working Group on ABS for Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, highlighted the need for capacity building and recommended that CGRFA prepare explanatory notes for distinctive features suggested for AnGr, taking into account the sub-sector’s specificities.
The seventh meeting of the ITGWAnGr was held 24-26 October 2012 in Rome, Italy. Its recommendations will be further considered by CGRFA 14, to be held from 15-19 April 2013 in the same venue. [Publication: Report of the seventh meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources]