What is the Plant Treaty?
- A legally binding global agreement adopted by the FAO in 2001, entered into force in 2004.
- India is a signatory to the treaty.
- Linked to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and FAO’s Global Plan of Action.
Objectives:
- Conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources.
- Fair and equitable benefit-sharing from the use of these resources.
- Ensure food security and protect agrobiodiversity
Key Features of the Treaty:
- Multilateral System (MLS):
- Covers 64 food and forage crops listed in Annex I (e.g., rice, wheat, maize, pulses).
- Facilitates access to plant genetic materials among member countries.
- Ensures benefit-sharing through technology transfer, capacity building, and commercial revenue.
- Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA):
- Legal framework for accessing and exchanging plant genetic materials.
- Farmers’ Rights (Article 9):
- Right to save, exchange, and sell seeds.
- Recognition of indigenous knowledge and community contributions.
- Inclusion in decision-making processes.
- Global Information System (Article 17):
- Promotes data sharing on plant genetic resources.
- What is the New Proposal?
- The amendments propose expanding mandatory obligations under the Multilateral System (Annex I).
- All plant germplasm would have to be shared under Governing Body-determined SMTA, not India’s national laws.
- Could dilute India’s sovereign rights and control over indigenous plant varieties.
- Might undermine traditional farming practices and seed-saving traditions of smallholders.
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