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

Preface
When in autumn 1992 the Science and Exchange Officer of The British Council in Germany, visited the
Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) in Gatersleben, she was particulary interested
in the Institute's plant genetic resources programme reaching from collection and conservation to
evaluation and germplasm enhancement. Still under the fresh impression of the UN Conference on
Environment and Development (UNCED), held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, which adopted Agenda
21, a global environment and development programme recognizing the crucial importance of plant
genetic resources (PGR) conservation - both in situ and ex situ - and presented the Convention on
Biological Diversity, which is now signed by over 150 countries, the idea arose to organize a joint
symposium at Gatersleben covering some of these actual topics.
A preparatory meeting took place at the Information Centre for Genetic Resources (IGR) in Bonn on
the first of June 1993 with national delegates and representatives of EC, IPGRI, UNESCO, IUCN,
GRAIN and representatives of IPK and The British Council. Th edelegates in preparation of the
"International Symposium on Plant Genetic Resources Activities in Europe and Perspectives", which was
then held at IPK Gatersleben from December 6-8, 1993 indicated the following objectives:
• Identification of conceptual perspectives for PGR-activities in Europe, the potential of an
integrated PGR-approach including nature conservation, genetic resources activities, plant
breeding and crop production;
• identification and organisational perspectives and/or institutional cooperation in Europe with
specific interest in developing a European information system and
• preparation of collaborative project proposals.
Country reports were prepared by the respective representatives on ex situ conservation and
management of PGR including NGO activities with a special focus on potential cooperation between
genebanks , botanic gardens and plant breeders. Invited papers were presented on in situ and on farm
conservation of PGR with emphasis on potential cooperation between genebanks, botanic gardens and
nature conservation as well from the GO as from the NGO sectors.
Progress within the objectives was obtained. As had to be expected, the elaboration of collaborative
projects only reached a nucleus stage. Three working groups discussed possibilities of collaboration
among genebanks and (1) nature conservation/biosphere reserves, (2) botanic gardens and other ex situ
conservation institutions and (3) on farm conservation. The participants finally elaborated a resolution.
With the help of IGR in Bonn it was possible to publish the proceedings of the symposium which can
now reach a broader auditory beyond the some more than 60 participants and hopefully will carry on the
necessary discussion within Europe and worldwide.
The scientific organizers of the symposium are especially grateful to The British Council in Germany for
effectively supporting this important and stimulating event.
Karl Hammer Frank Begemann
Genebank Information Centre for Genetic Resources (IGR)
Institute of Plant Genetics Centre for Agricultural Documentation and
and Crop Plant Research Information (ZADI)
Gatersleben Bonn, Germany