Oslo, NOrway
November 19, 2007
Source:
Fridtjof Nansen Institute
On 1 November the Governing Body (GB) of the
International
Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
(ITPGRFA) decided to collect views and experiences on Farmers'
Rights implementation, with the view to promote their
realization. Research conducted in the Farmers' Rights Project
has been crucial in bringing about the decision.
This breakthrough in the promotion of Farmers' Rights to plant
genetic resources for food and agriculture was the result of a
process carried through by the Governments of Norway and Zambia
together in cooperation with the
Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI). It included informal
international consultations in Zambia in September, and a side
event during the GB session in Rome. Research results from FNI's
Farmers' Rights Project provided much of the basis for and input
to the process.
The side event on the realization of Farmers' Rights and the
role of the GB in Rome was attended by about 50 participants.
Here, the organizers presented the report from the informal
international consultations on Farmers' Rights that had been
held in Zambia 18-20 September to prepare for the discussions in
the GB. They also presented an input paper on Farmers' Rights
from the Governments of Norway and Zambia, submitted to the GB
for consideration during its discussions.
The Governing Body's resolution encourages countries to submit
their views and experiences on the implementation of Farmers'
Rights as set out in the Treaty, and requests the Secretariat to
collect this as basis for an agenda item for consideration by
the GB at the next session in 2009 to promote the realization of
Farmers' Right. The resolution further confirms that the
Governing Body will continue to include farmers' organizations
in its work.
'Knowing where we came from, and the great uncertainty related
to the role of the Governing Body in the implementation of
Farmers' Rights, I see this resolution as a substantial step
forwards. It establishes a role for the Governing Body and its
Secretariat in the implementation of these rights, and provides
a basis for steps to be taken at the national level,' says
Project Leader of FNI's Farmers' Rights Project, Senior Research
Fellow Regine Andersen.
'In addition, the explicit statement of inclusion of farmers'
organizations in the work of the Governing Body marks an
important step towards cooperation with important stakeholder
groups for the realization of these rights,' Andersen says. |
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