Theme 4: Conclusions and recommendations

Countries that are Centres of Origin and Diversification (COD), and work with an “open” system of seeds, where seed exchange is customary, have the enormous responsibility to protect and sustain its biodiversity.

Maize in Mexico constitutes the most complicated scenario, considering that this crop is not only the most manipulated one, but also, the preferred crop for “molecular pharming”. Clearly the responsibilities under the CPB for a COD, in terms of monitoring and controlling the plausible dispersal of transgenes via FFPs, become very complicated.

The help of the Secretariat in promoting a closer communication between the actors involved in FFP trade is crucial. I would like to propose to the CPB Secretariat to consider the possibility to coordinate with other international institutions a mechanism by which the training, information exchange and the promotion of educational and communications opportunities could be a reality.

We have to ensure that the thoughts expressed in this Forum by Raheef Ademola Usman, Milena Roudna, Guna Sutra and myself, are given a chance to be tuned with the interests of IGTC expressed by Dennis Stephens & Gary Martin. Efforts shouldn’t be spared to help out CODs and countries in need of better monitoring systems, although the global economic situation wouldn’t allow to waste economic resources.

Let’s avoid duplication by joining forces in a leveled arena and let the CPB Secretariat to coordinate efforts/modalities for the cooperation with other international organizations, as proposed already by other participants of the Forum.

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and ideas.

Prof. Amanda Gálvez, PhD. National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)

Dear Colleagues,

For capacity building needs (such as training, education and communication), coordination with GenØk would be useful (see http://english.genok.org/gateways_institutes_program/cms/89).

From: gunasutra@yahoo.in