1. National strategies and challenges in the conservation of genetic resources Tore Skrøppa

2. National responsibility to follow up the CBD FAO commitments
Conservation of genetic resources has a high priority in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food
National responsibility to follow up the CBD
FAO commitments
Nordic cooperation
A basic understanding of the importance of
genetic resources for sustainable development in agriculture, horticulture and forestry,
and a recognition of their value in breeding and
contribution to food security

3. Early organisation 1970s: Nordic Gene Bank (1979)
1984: Nordic Gene Bank Farm Animals
1986: Committee on Farm Animal Genetic Resources
2001: Committee on Plant Genetic Resources
Committee on Genetic Resources of Forest Trees
Norwegian Genetic Resource Council

4. Present national organisation 2006: Norwegian Genetic Resource Centre
Five persons employed – 4.5 man-year
Budget: ca. 10 million NOK
Divided in three parts:
- Genetic Resource Centre
- Genetic Resource Council and
sector committees for animals, plants and trees
- External projects (50 %)

5. National strategy
Establish national action plans, overall and specific for
each sector
Inventory and characterisation of GR, assess trends and risks
Conservation of GR, in situ and ex situ
Sustainable use and development of GR; close contact with
breeding organisations
Establish and further develop national networks on GR

6. National strategy cont.
Initiate research on GR, contact with research institutions
Innovation based on GR
Provide information and advice for administration and policy
makers
Promote international collaboration and be national
representatives in international GR activities
Information activities; increase knowledge on GR to different
groups

7. Stakeholders or customer groups
Administrators, policy makers and planners in the ministries
and at the regional and local level
Breeders and breeding companies/organisations
Societies, associations, museums etc.., that take part in
conservation activities
Developers that could promote new uses of genetic resources
Interested farmers
Researchers and teachers in life or agricultural science
Interested persons in the public
International colleges and partners

8. Challenges National networks on GR must be continued and strengthened
Better characterisation of GR
More emphasis on in situ conservation; collaboration
with nature management
Genetic resources and climate change
Genetic resources in the cultural landscape
Legal matters related to GR; ownership, patenting,
international law, relations to GMO

9. Thank you!