TAC Statement on Plant Breeders' Rights and the IARCs

TAC statement on the implications of plant breeders rights (PBR) for IARC programs and their policy with respect to the distribution of genetic materials. TAC recommended three strategies centers could use to prevent the misappropriation of genetic materials developed at IARCs. These were making and distributing complete descriptions of the semi-finished varieties they develop; consult with national offices in countries with PBR legislation to establish protective regulations and procedures; and review contracts with center breeders to ensure that they could not assert rights to work done at centers. Attached are the conclusions and recommendations of the January 1982 TAC Workshop on Plant Breeders' Rights and the IARCs, and the August 1982 version of the report 'Plant Breeders' Rights and International Agricultural Research Centers: A Discussion Paper,' by consultants M. Heuver, J.J. Hardon, and K.A. Fikkert. Agenda document, CGIAR meeting, November 1982. The two attachments were agenda documents at the TAC 27th and 28th meetings in March and June 1982.