Brussels, Belgium
September 22, 2015

We have just launched a new sub-topic on our website under the name “Voluntary benefit-sharing activities of the European seed sector”.

Access and benefit-sharing systems, such as the CBD and its Nagoya Protocol or the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, recognize several forms of benefit-sharing which can be categorized in monetary and non-monetary benefits. Also, there are benefit-sharing activities done on a mandatory basis (based on MATs or Article 6.7 of the sMTA) and activities carried out on a voluntary basis.

Many actors however in the ABS discussions focus only on monetary benefit-sharing and the value of voluntary and, in particular, in-kind benefit-sharing projects is not given enough attention. The seed sector, besides fulfilling its mandatory benefit-sharing obligations, is heavily and continuously engaged in various types of voluntary benefit-sharing activities.

In order to inform ABS negotiators and the general public about how much is done by seed companies and associations in the field of benefit-sharing on a regular basis ESA has created a new section on the website where such running projects are presented. - See more at: https://www.euroseeds.eu/new-section#sthash.nyCE2Z5J.dpuf

Website: http://www.euroseeds.org

Published: September 22, 2015