Regulatory framework of agrobiodiversity
Basically, there is no specific policy or legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of agrobiodiversity. Conservation and sustainable utilisation of genetic resources are influenced by a number of different policies like agricultural, trade, environmental and nature conservation, research and education policies and development co-operation. All these fields have also to be taken into account.
National agrobiodiversity policies - the German national strategy on agrobiodiversity
In December 2007, the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture has published its national agrobiodiversity strategy "Conservation of Agricultural Biodiversity, Development and Sustainable Use of its Potentials in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries".
© BMELV
The overall objective of this strategy is to foster the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in food, agriculture, forestry and fisheries as a basis for food and agriculture and to develop the inherent innovative potentials of agrobiodiversity.
To this end it is especially necessary:
- to ensure and develop conservation infrastructure,
- to further develop the utilisation of agrobiodiversity in agriculture and
- to strengthen international co-operation.
The sectoral and cross-sectoral chapters of the strategy describe the current status of agrobiodiversity in Germany and identifies needs for action and necessary measures. The strategy is the basis for a plan of action with concrete activities. The strategy constitutes a coherent framework for the sectoral national programmes for genetic resources:
National Programme for Plant Genetic Resources
National Programme for Animal Genetic Resources
National Programme for Forest Genetic Resources
National Programme for Aquatic Genetic Resources
The implementation of the strategy and of the national programmes requires the involvement and activities of a multiplicity of persons and institutions from practice, science, economy, administration and the public.
Advisory Board for Biodiversity and Genetic Resources
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The Scientific Advisory Board for Biodiversity and Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture has been established in 2003 by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. The Board advises the Ministry on agrobiodiversity-related policies and their implementation at national, European Union and international level. The Advisory Board consists of experts with specific scientific knowledge and expertise relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, in particular of genetic resources for food and agriculture. Further members of the Advisory Board are ex officio the Chairs of the "National Committees" of the national programmes for plant, forest, animal and aquatic genetic resources as well as the Head of the Information and Coordination Centre for Biological Diversity (IBV).