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4 Institutional Frameworks for the Exchange and Utilization of PGRFA
In this chapter, the institutional framework between supply and demand and its
development has been analyzed. The lack of or poorly defined property rights for
genetic resources is the major institutional factor determining the threat of PGRFA
diversity loss. PGRFA's future conservation and exchange will depend, however,
on the sufficient incentives as a kind of compensation or internalization. The
development of the institutional framework is promoted by different legal
agreements and accompanied by different options for an exchange system. The
debate which incentive system and exchange system to choose is the debate
between agrobiodiversity-rich and diversity-poor countries as well as between
technologically rich and poor countries. It seems to be the first step towards a
market or bilateral exchange system, however, the existing informal multi-lateral
exchange system will be the most likely system to be evolved into a formal
exchange system.