Webinar on “Implementation of Access to Plant Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing (ABS)” organized

27th August, 2020

A National Webinar on “Implementation of Access to Plant Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing (ABS) was organized today.

In his address, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) said that the implementation of rules on access to bio-resources and benefit sharing arising from their commercial use has been uneven and complex, given the rich biodiversity of the country and lack of adequate capacity and awareness amongst the varied stakeholders. He expressed hope of greater convergence in the Authorities dealing with these issues, especially in the light of revision of the Biological Diversity Act (BDA), Rule and Guidelines, that are currently being deliberated at country level. He urged that more technology and science-based evidences be applied to resolve issues of origin and ownership of genetic resources, to facilitate better benefit sharing mechanisms.

Highlighting the Webinar’s genesis and objectives, Dr. R.S. Paroda, President, Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources & Chairman, Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS) hoped for developing a roadmap for the framework for an effective implementation of the ABS implementation, possibly through a single window system with greater coordination and convergence.

The Special Invitee during the inaugural session, Dr. V.B. Mathur, Chairman, National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) highlighted the three important implementation issues on ABS under the BDA - correct valuation of bio-resources, interpretation of the statutes and missing or inadequate definitions. He also outlined the undertaking of revisions by the Government of India through an elaborate consultative process for increased convergence between the various implementing agencies with the final objective to facilitate the “Ease of doing Business”.

Dr. Juan Lucas Restrepo, Director General, Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), said that the disruptions caused the food supply chains during the current pandemic due to COVID-19 makes a compelling case to ensure that an enabling environment be created for societal changes for long-term food and nutritional security. He further emphasized on mainstreaming of agrobiodiversity and diversification of agro-ecological landscapes. While appreciating India’ efforts on implementation of ABS, he said there is need for greater harmonization in the Nagoya Protocol (NP) and International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources (ITPGRFA) for ABS issues.

Presenting the “Perspectives of seed sector on ABS”, Dr. Ram Kaundinya, Director General, Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) highlighted the need for seed sector specific guidelines for agriculture and food sectors. He also urged for resolving the operational issues of the seed industry being faced in the current ABS regime.

Deliberating on “Respecting (Agrobio) Diversity, sharing benefits”, Ms. Shalini Bhutani, Legal Researcher & Policy Analyst, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) emphasized on the need for revitalizing the farmer and public participatory breeding systems and support for greater diversified seed industry.

Dr. Tilak Raj Sharma, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR and Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Director, ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi were the Chair and Co-Chair, respectively, during the panel discussion.

The meeting was jointly organized by the Indian Society for Plant Genetic Resources, ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi and Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, India Office, in collaboration with the NBA, PPV&FRA and TAAS.

More than 200 participants including both from the public and private sector participated in the Webinar.

(Source: Director, ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources and General Secretary, Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi)