April 2016: The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) has released a report on the Elements to Facilitate Domestic Implementation of Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) for Different Subsectors of GRFA (‘ABS Elements’). The report aims to support governments considering legislative, administrative or policy measures for ABS to take into account the importance of GRFA, their special role in food security and the features of the subsectors of GRFA while complying with international ABS instruments.

The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) requires parties to consider the importance of GRFA and their special role for food security in the development and implementation of ABS measures, but the Protocol provides limited guidance on how to reflect the special features of GRFA in domestic ABS measures. Within this context, the CGRFA put in place a process to develop the ABS Elements in 2013. The FAO Conference welcomed the Elements in 2015.

Simplicity and flexibility are key elements of ABS measures for GRFA, according to the report, which also stresses that developing and implementing ABS measures and elements is a work in progress.

ABS measures may contribute to achieving food security and improving nutrition and to the sustainable development of agricultural production, according to the report. It stresses that GRFA diversity is critical for the productivity, adaptability and resilience of agro-ecosystems. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) also recognize the potential contribution of ABS to food security, particularly in SDG 2 (End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture). Target 2.5 aims to, by 2020, “maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and their related wild species, including through soundly managed and diversified seed and plant banks at the national, regional and international levels, and promote access to and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, as internationally agreed.”

The report proposes steps governments may wish to take when developing, adapting or implementing ABS measures addressing GRFA, beginning with an assessment of the concerned sectors of GRFA, including socio-economic environments, activities, use and exchange practices. Next, the report suggests governments identify and consult relevant stakeholders, who hold, provide or utilize GRFA, a process it suggests can be helpful in raising awareness among stakeholders and informing potential users and providers of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources about their rights and obligations. The report discusses additional steps, including: integration of ABS measures with food security and sustainable agricultural development policies and strategies; consideration and evaluation of options for ABS measures; integration of implementation of ABS measures into the institutional landscape; communication and awareness-raising measures; and ex ante assessment and monitoring of the effectiveness and impact of ABS measures for GRFA.

To facilitate domestic implementation of ABS for the different subsectors of GRFA, the report suggests governments consider: institutional arrangements; access to and utilization of GRFA; access to traditional knowledge associated with GRFA; fair and equitable sharing of benefits; and compliance monitoring. It describes considerations and actions under each of these points. [Publication: ABS Elements: Elements to Facilitate Domestic Implementation of ABS for Different Subsectors of GRFA] [Nagoya Protocol Website] [CGRFA Website]