Integration of Conservation Strategies of Plant Genetic ... - Genres

Legal Framework-National Programme.
Presidential Decree No 80/1990 provides the legal framework for the establishment of a National System
for Plant Genetic Resources under aegis of the Ministry of Agriculture (Directorates of Research and
Environmental Protection). Greek Gene Bank is the scientific and administrative organ for the
implementation of this programme.
However, the National System on PGR has not been put into effect until now, because the introduction
of the specific legislation coincided with a period of drastic reform and reorganisation of the agricultural
research at the ministry of Agriculture and its transfer from the public to the private sector. The
agricultural research of the ministry was assigned to a new scientific body, the National Agricultural
Research Foundation (N.AG.RE.F.), which replaced and assumed the responsibilities and authorities of
the Directorate of Research.
The legal, financial and administrative gaps and malfunctions that resulted from this change of legal
framework delayed significantly the launch of the National Programme. At this time, though, there is a
valid expectation that the outstanding problems will be soon solved and that harmonious collaboration
will be eventially established between the public (Ministry of Agriculture ) and private (NAGREF) sector
as well as with other legal entities (Universities, Organisations of Environmental Protection,Botanical
Gardens, Natural Museums etc.) that can potentially contribute to the protection, study and utilisation
of the countries genetic resources.
Perspectives
Until recently the only active specific international body on plant genetic resources in Europe was the
European Cooperative Programme on Plant Genetic Resources (ECP/GR), operating under the aegis
of IBPGR and FAO. This organisation had however very limited budget, therefore its contribution was
purposedly directed to low cost - though catalytic- activities ,such as the establishment of working
groups and the organisation of scientific meetings aiming at promoting the scientific collaboration within
Europe, the relatively low-cost germplasm documentation and the creation of general and specific Data
Bases, and finally- and above all- the encourangment of initiatives for establishment of National
Programmes in the respective European countries.
Recently certain non-governmental organisations (NGO'S) have been actively involved in this sector,
contributing significantly to raising awareness and public interest on the issue.
However the most decisive step in this field is currently being made by EEC with the introduction of a
specific Programme for Protection of Genetic Resources in the respective countries. Through this
programme substantial funds are allocated to this end for the first time and they are expected to support
relevant activities both within EEC as well as over all europe, through the enhanced scientific
collaboration programmes of European Community with those countries.
This programme is expected lo allocate funds for the improvement and completion of the existing
laboratories and storage facilities at national gene banks or other competent institutes and for speeding
up evaluation and utilisation rate of untapped genetic potential of gene banks through the implementation
of the advanced new biotechnologies currently available.
Another significant evolution in the european zone is the initiation for the first time of programmes for
the protection of Forest and of Animal Genetic Resources, where genetic erosion over the last 50 years