Abs Elements: Elements to Facilitate Domestic Implementation of Access and Benefit-Sharing for Different Subsectors of Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture with Explanatory Notes

the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, including by appropriate access to them. Implementing this third objective is intended to contribute to the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components, the other two objectives of the Convention.

The Protocol confronts policy-makers and administrators responsible for its implementation at the national level with a number of challenges. One of these challenges is the Protocol’s obligation to consider, in the development and implementation of access and benefit-sharing measures, the importance of genetic resources for food and agriculture and their special role for food security.

The Elements to Facilitate Domestic Implementation of Access and Benefit-Sharing for Different Subsectors of Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture aim to assist governments considering developing, adapting or implementing access and benefit-sharing measures, to take into account the importance of genetic resources for food and agriculture (GRFA), their special role for food security and the distinctive features of their different subsectors, while complying, as applicable, with international instruments.

This publication contains the original ABS Elements as well as the explanatory notes describing, within the context of the ABS Elements, the distinctive features and specific practices of the different subsectors of GRFA. The explanatory notes were welcomed by the Commission and the FAO Conference in 2019.