176 7 Conclusions for PGRFA Conservation Policy and further Research Issues
fanners' fields is characterized by a decline, but one which may be less rapid than
expected; many varieties may reach the threshold of extinction soon while others
may have reached this threshold already.
The marginal costs of losing one more crop variety, however, have not yet been
determined, depending essentially on the variety specific threshold. The main
value of PGRF A - the use value as (raw) material for breeding activities - can be
identified or estimated by its close correlation to the distribution of gennplasm to
breeders. Although some countries have a distribution rate of over 10%, the
majority of genebanks do not provide very much of their stored PGRF A to
breeders 96 . The reasons for ignoring the stored genetic resources are the low
quality of the raw material and - increasingly so - the limited willingness to accept
legally binding agreements.
In the light of signs that crop variety is declining, and despite the uncertainty in
the decline of genetic diversity, and in view of vague but raising estimations
concerning the value of PGRF A, there exists an overwhelming international
political intention to conserve PGRF A. There are two implications in the process
of realizing this purpose:
Further research is necessary to assess the value of PGRFA. The benefits of
conservation must be analyzed more in depths to guide the conservation
investment on national and international level. As discussed in Chapter 3.2. the
related work done differs widely in its results. The values attributed to PGRF A
have often not been separated from the incorporated value through the breeding
activities. It is without question that a high value is attached to the breeding
activities which include the raw material of PGRF A. The separation of the joint
value is the precondition for a rational debate over the internalization of the
external benefits ("benefit sharing") of PGRF A.
It is necessary to define the conservation objectives for adjusting these to some
cost-efficiency criteria. As long as the benefits of PGRF A conservation cannot be
better quantified, the conservation investments must follow the criteria of cost
efficiency. The definition of objectives is, however, necessary for assessing the
efficiency of conservation activities. Furthennore, the objectives must be
quantified as well to be able to carry out the assessment as transparently as
possible 97 . Besides the conservation of genetic resources for future utilization and
their adaptation to changing conditions, one important conservation objective is
the accessibility of gennplasm for present needs in research and development. The
close link between conservation and utilization can be assessed by the distribution
rate, characterizing the accessibility of gennplasm. The present distribution rates
of most genebanks are not convincing. The low distribution rates reflect the low
96 Distribution rate defined as the rate of distributed accessions to the stored accessions in a
genebank (see Chap. 5.4). This ratio includes the distribution of accessions to other
genebanks as well, i.e., the amount of accessions supplied to the (private and public) breeding
industry is even less - it may be estimated to be less than 40%.
97 See Chap. 5.4 for more detail.
fanners' fields is characterized by a decline, but one which may be less rapid than
expected; many varieties may reach the threshold of extinction soon while others
may have reached this threshold already.
The marginal costs of losing one more crop variety, however, have not yet been
determined, depending essentially on the variety specific threshold. The main
value of PGRF A - the use value as (raw) material for breeding activities - can be
identified or estimated by its close correlation to the distribution of gennplasm to
breeders. Although some countries have a distribution rate of over 10%, the
majority of genebanks do not provide very much of their stored PGRF A to
breeders 96 . The reasons for ignoring the stored genetic resources are the low
quality of the raw material and - increasingly so - the limited willingness to accept
legally binding agreements.
In the light of signs that crop variety is declining, and despite the uncertainty in
the decline of genetic diversity, and in view of vague but raising estimations
concerning the value of PGRF A, there exists an overwhelming international
political intention to conserve PGRF A. There are two implications in the process
of realizing this purpose:
Further research is necessary to assess the value of PGRFA. The benefits of
conservation must be analyzed more in depths to guide the conservation
investment on national and international level. As discussed in Chapter 3.2. the
related work done differs widely in its results. The values attributed to PGRF A
have often not been separated from the incorporated value through the breeding
activities. It is without question that a high value is attached to the breeding
activities which include the raw material of PGRF A. The separation of the joint
value is the precondition for a rational debate over the internalization of the
external benefits ("benefit sharing") of PGRF A.
It is necessary to define the conservation objectives for adjusting these to some
cost-efficiency criteria. As long as the benefits of PGRF A conservation cannot be
better quantified, the conservation investments must follow the criteria of cost
efficiency. The definition of objectives is, however, necessary for assessing the
efficiency of conservation activities. Furthennore, the objectives must be
quantified as well to be able to carry out the assessment as transparently as
possible 97 . Besides the conservation of genetic resources for future utilization and
their adaptation to changing conditions, one important conservation objective is
the accessibility of gennplasm for present needs in research and development. The
close link between conservation and utilization can be assessed by the distribution
rate, characterizing the accessibility of gennplasm. The present distribution rates
of most genebanks are not convincing. The low distribution rates reflect the low
96 Distribution rate defined as the rate of distributed accessions to the stored accessions in a
genebank (see Chap. 5.4). This ratio includes the distribution of accessions to other
genebanks as well, i.e., the amount of accessions supplied to the (private and public) breeding
industry is even less - it may be estimated to be less than 40%.
97 See Chap. 5.4 for more detail.