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COP 7 Decision VII/3

Agricultural biological diversity

The Conference of the Parties

1.Takes note of the progress made in the implementation of decision VI/5, on the programme of work on agricultural biological diversity;

2.Notes the postponement of the preparation of the final report of the comprehensive assessment of agricultural biological diversity and related milestones by two years (UNEP/CBD/COP/7/11, para. 66);

3.Takes note of the report of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on the Potential Impacts of Genetic Use Restriction Technologies on Smallholder Farmers, Indigenous and Local Communities and Farmers' Rights, established in paragraph 21 of decision VI/5, which met in Montreal from 19 to 21 February 2003 (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/9/INF/6);

4. Requests the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice to consider the report of the Ad Hoc Expert Group on Genetic Use Restriction Technologies at its tenth meeting with a view to providing advice to the Conference of the Parties at its eighth meeting, also taking into account decision VII/16 on Article 8(j) and related provisions;

5. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and its Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture on the potential impacts of genetic use restriction technologies on agricultural biodiversity and agricultural production systems (UNEP/CBD/COP/7/INF/31), prepared pursuant to paragraphs 20 and 21 of decision V/5;

6. Takes note also of the notes by the Executive Secretary on the impacts of trade liberalization on agricultural biodiversity (UNEP/CBD/COP/7/INF/14 and 15) prepared pursuant to paragraph 17 of decision VI/5, and requests further gathering and incorporation of data on this matter from all countries;

7. Welcomes the future establishment of a facilitation unit for research on agricultural biodiversity by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute in association with other centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, civil‑society organizations and other research centres, as a contribution to the programme of work; 

8. Welcomes, within the framework of the International Treaty of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and as part of its funding strategy, the development of the Global Crop Diversity Trust first launched at the World Summit on Sustainable Development as this contributes towards the development of an important endowment fund to support ex situ conservation centres worldwide;

9. Welcomes the initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to dedicate World Food Day 2004 to "biodiversity for food security and encourages Parties and other Governments and the Executive Secretary to the Convention to participate in this FAO celebration;

10.  Invites the Parties and other Governments to consider and promote, as appropriate and subject to national legislation and international law, the mainstreaming of agricultural biodiversity in their plans, programmes and strategies with the active participation of local and indigenous communities and the inclusion in the communities' plans, programmes and strategies on conservation, development and use of agricultural biodiversity, and to recognize and support the efforts of local and indigenous communities in conserving agricultural biodiversity;

11.  Invites civil-society organizations and other non-Governmental organizations and programmes to assist Parties in their capacity-building initiatives in the mainstreaming of agricultural biodiversity in their plans, programmes and strategies, and international organizations and international funding institutions to support the development and use of agricultural biodiversity;

12.  Requests the Executive Secretary to invite the Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations, in close collaboration with other relevant United Nations bodies and regional and international organizations, to identify and assess activities and available information on agricultural biodiversity before the submission of the third national report;

13. Urges Parties and other Governments to ratify the International Treaty of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture since the Treaty will be an important instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources leading to hunger reduction and poverty alleviation.