Sixth Session of the Contact Group for the Revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources (IU) 

The Sixth Inter-sessional Contact Group Meeting on the Revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (IU), in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), was held in Spoleto, Italy, from 23-28 April 2001. Ninety-six participants from 37 countries, one regional economic integration organization, and intergovernmental, non- governmental and industry organizations attended the meeting. Delegates discussed a range of outstanding items on the basis of a Chair's Simplified Text, including Articles 11 (Coverage of the MS), 12 (Facilitated Access), 13 (Benefit-sharing), 14 (Global Plan of Action), 15 (Ex Situ Collections of the International Agricultural Research Centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research and Other International Institutions), 16 (International Plant Genetic Resources Networks), 17 (Global Information System on PGRFA) and 18 (Financial Resources). Additionally, three technical groups were convened to consider definitions, legal matters and the list of crops.

The debates generally revisited those held during previous Contact Group meetings, and delegates often expressed frustration at being unable to move beyond entrenched positions. Despite the Contact Group's inability to compromise on these issues, the principles underlying the various positions were clarified, which many saw as an essential step in moving the process forward. One of the major accomplishments at this meeting was the agreement in a technical group on a list of 30 crop genera to be covered under the IU, with 17 more pending. The Contact Group agreed to hold an Extraordinary Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) to conclude the negotiations from 24- 30 June 2001, at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Daily coverage: Monday 23 : Tuesday 24 : Wednesday 25 : Thursday 26 : Friday 27

On Saturday, 28 April, the technical groups on definitions, legal matters and the list of crops, provided reports on their work during the week. The Contact Group held brief discussions on Article 11 (Coverage of the Multilateral System) reiterating previous debates regarding designation of materials within the Multilateral System and coverage of Annex I crops not under the control of national governments. Delegates also considered a proposal by developing countries on Article 15 (Ex Situ Collections of the International Agricultural Research Centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research and Other International Institutions). In closing this meeting, the Contact Group agreed to convene an extraordinary session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture from 25-30 June 2001 (with 24 June allotted for regional group consultations) to conclude the negotiations.