A new work programme was one of the main issues on the agenda at a recent meeting of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA).

Discussions at the CGRFA’s tenth regular session focused on a multi-year programme of work that will be prepared for submission to the next session. In this regard, the re-orientation towards aspects of the Commission’s mandate such as forestry, fisheries and microbial genetic resources was highlighted, as was the inclusion of the agro-ecosystem approach in the future work programme. Although little progress was reported on the long-standing issue of the draft code of conduct on biotechnology, delegates decided that it will be included in the forthcoming programme of work.
Delegates also considered agenda items relating to plant and animal genetic resources and cooperation with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and held a dialogue session with civil society. Implementation of ongoing activities regarding plant and animal genetic resources received considerable attention. It was noted that animal genetic resources were at the center of developments, and an international technical conference was scheduled for 2007 to mark the completion of the first report on the State of the World’s animal genetic resources.
The Commission’s latest session, which took place in Rome from 8-12 November, marked the twentieth anniversary of the CGRFA and the entry into force of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR). The Earth Negotiations Bulletin report.