ENB @ CGRFA-10, Rome, Italy 8-12 November 2004


	Tenth Regular Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA-10) 8-12 November 2004, Rome, Italy

Earth Negotiations Bulletin - ENB

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Highlights for Tuesday, 9 November 2004

Delegates to the tenth regular session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA-10) discussed the future work of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITWG-PGR), and issues related to animal genetic resources (AnGR) including: the Global Strategy; the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on AnGR (ITWG-AnGR); and the first report on the State of the World’s AnGR. Carlos Mezzadra (Argentina), Djemali M’ Naouer (Tunisia) and M.A. Kamali (Iran) were nominated as Vice-Chairs. A dialogue session with the civil society was held in the afternoon. Above photo L-R: The dais during a dialogue session with civil society organizations with Rebecca Musyoka, Kenya Small Scale Farmers Forum, Patrick Mulvany, Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG), Ann Diota, Centro de Estudios Para el Campo Mexicano (CECCAM), Pat Mooney, Action Gorup on Erosion, Technology and Concentration (ETC Group), Eng-Siang Lim, CGRFA-10 Chair and Jose Esquinas, CGRFA-10 Secretary.

PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES

FUTURE WORK OF THE ITWG-PGR:

The US said that questions relating to the ITPGR should be dealt with during the Interim Committee’s meeting. Above photo: Harvey Blackburn (US)	MALAYSIA prioritized plant breeding activities to strengthen developing countries’ agricultural sectors. Above photo: Adrien Kumar Raymond (Malaysia)

ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES

GLOBAL STRATEGY:


TOGO asserted the need to strengthen national focal points. Above photo: Bedibete Bonfoh (Togo)	The Secretariat introduced the Overview of the Global Strategy for the Management of Farm AnGR. Above photo L-R: Clive Stannard and Martin Smith (CGRFA Secretariat)


Tunisia, on the behalf of the AFRICAN GROUP called for FAO funding to strengthen field conservation projects. Above photo: Djemali M'naouer (Tunisia)	ETHIOPIA underscored the need to sustain the momentum achieved through wide stakeholder participation in the country reports. Above photo: Kassahum Awgichew (Ethiopia)


The International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), on behalf of the CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH (CGIAR) outlined its collaborative initiatives on capacity building for AnGR. Above photo: Olivier Hanotte (CGIAR)	ETC GROUP emphasized the importance of a legally binding global recognition of the contributions and rights of livestock keepers. Above photo: Jim Thomas (ETC GROUP)

REPORT OF THE ITWG-ANGR:

Carlos Mezzadra (Argentina)(above), Chair of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on AnGR (ITWG-AnGR) presented the recommendations of the ITWG-AnGR (CGRFA/10/04/8).	The EU requested that the study on developments in biotechnology be considered during discussion on the draft code of conduct on biotechnology. Above photo L-R: Chris van Winden and Hans Hoogeven (The Netherlands on behalf of the EU)

STATE OF THE WORLD REPORT:


TURKEY called for promoting stakeholders awareness for implementation of the follow-up mechanism. Above photo: Lutfi Tahtacioglu (Turkey)	CHILE supported holding regional consultations to identify strategic priorities for action. Above photo: Teresa Agüero (Chile)

FUTURE WORK OF THE ITWG-ANGR:

Chair Lim (above right) identified as priority tasks: the review of the draft State of the World report on AnGR and of the report on strategic priorities for action, including the preparation of the international technical conference. He also underscored the evaluation of the operation of the follow-up mechanism and the progress review of the Global Strategy. Above photo L-R: Irene Hoffmann (FAO), Samuel Jutzi (FAO) and Chair Eng-Siang Lim.

DIALOGUE WITH THE CIVIL SOCIETY:

The League of Pastoral People underscored that recognition of legally binding rights for livestock keepers would provide an opportunity to market local breeds and germplasm. Above photo: Thomas Loquang (League of Pastoral People)	CAMEROON emphasized that the nomadic nature of livestock raising activities implies individual rather than state control. Above photo: Abouame Sale (Cameroon)


Ann Diota of the Centro de Estudios Para el Campo Mexicano reported on the genetic contamination of traditional maize varieties in Mexico, calling for precautionary measures, including a moratorium on the cultivation of transgenic crops and a transgenic food import ban.	Stressing the lack of information on genetically modified seeds, the Kenya Small Scale Farmers Forum noted these seeds are expensive and affect farmers’ livelihoods adversely. Above photo: Rebecca Musyoka (Kenya Small Scale Farmers Forum)

SIDE EVENT:

SATELLITE EVENT ON “MAINSTREAMING AGRICULTURAL BIODIVERSITY FOR FOOD SECURITY”

The FAO Inter-Departmental Working Group on Biological Diversity for Food and Agriculture organizes three sessions on “Mainstreaming Agricultural Biodiversity for Food Security,” from Monday to Wednesday, 8-10 November. The event aims to explore different emerging issues relating to biodiversity and food security, and outcomes will be reported to the Commission on Thursday, 11 November.

On Monday, 8 November, a session was held under the theme “Integrated agro-ecological approaches and community-based adaptive management.”

A series of presentations addressed: the ecosystem approach in capture fisheries; integrated pest management; and community-based management of animal genetic resources.




Above photos: Kevern Cochrane and Gabriella Bianchi of the FAO Fisheries Department gave an overview on the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries.

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