Track 4-1-1: Plant Genetic Resources, Collection, Conversation, Evaluation and IPR Issues
Description
Australian grazing enterprises, including all food and fibre productions, as well as crop rotation, are worth $42 billion per annum to the Australian economy, employing around 693,000 Australian workers. Australia has been a major beneficiary from the introduction and utilization of genetic resources in pasture and forages. Assured access to plant genetic diversity underpins Australia’s ability to maintain agricultural productivity in the face of environmental and economic challenges.
Australia is custodian of potentially the world’s largest and globally significant collection of pasture and forage genetic resources. Much of this is unique and held in state-based collections and represents an invaluable resource for plant research and improvement in Australia and internationally. These collections were built up progressively over the past 70 years and were at risk due to a reduction in funding from host agencies and industry groups and were becoming increasingly inaccessible to potential clients. Australia required a national approach to genetic resources of pastures and forages to benefit industry and the environment and to support the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Treaty).
Progress towards a national solution for pastures and forage genetic resources had been slow and difficult. In June 2014 an agreement was reached between relevant national Rural Research and Development Corporations and the Australian and State governments, for the establishment, funding and operation of the Australian Pastures Genebank (APG); Australia’s first national pasture and forage genetic resource centre.
Included in
The Australian Pastures Genebank
Australian grazing enterprises, including all food and fibre productions, as well as crop rotation, are worth $42 billion per annum to the Australian economy, employing around 693,000 Australian workers. Australia has been a major beneficiary from the introduction and utilization of genetic resources in pasture and forages. Assured access to plant genetic diversity underpins Australia’s ability to maintain agricultural productivity in the face of environmental and economic challenges.
Australia is custodian of potentially the world’s largest and globally significant collection of pasture and forage genetic resources. Much of this is unique and held in state-based collections and represents an invaluable resource for plant research and improvement in Australia and internationally. These collections were built up progressively over the past 70 years and were at risk due to a reduction in funding from host agencies and industry groups and were becoming increasingly inaccessible to potential clients. Australia required a national approach to genetic resources of pastures and forages to benefit industry and the environment and to support the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Treaty).
Progress towards a national solution for pastures and forage genetic resources had been slow and difficult. In June 2014 an agreement was reached between relevant national Rural Research and Development Corporations and the Australian and State governments, for the establishment, funding and operation of the Australian Pastures Genebank (APG); Australia’s first national pasture and forage genetic resource centre.
