International Plant Genetic Resources Institute No 27 - December 2003

newsletterfor Europe

Inside this issue ECP/GR Steering Committee launches Phase VII

ECP/GR 1-6 The ninth Steering Committee ¥ Documentation and The SC redefined its (SC) meeting of ECP/GR could Information. composition, offering new Central Asia & Caucasus 8-9 well stand out as a milestone in Members of the NCGs and observer status to the European EUFORGEN 12-13 the 23 year existence of the WGs will develop proposals on Association for Research on Programme. The SC was how to allocate the funds Plant Breeding (EUCARPIA) IPGRI in Europe 14 hosted 22-25 October 2003 in assigned to each Network and maintaining the European the quiet surroundings of within the Phase, including Man and the Biosphere Menemen, Izmir, Turkey.The meetings, publications or other Programme (EuroMAB), FAO, warm hospitality of the Aegean actions, and final decisions will IPGRI, the International Seed Agricultural Research Institute be taken by June 2004 by the Federation (ISF), the Nordic About this Newsletter and the pleasant weather SC. A few changes to the Gene Bank (NGB) and the Non helped to create an optimal structure of the Networks were Governmental Organizations The International Plant Genetic setting for the fourÐday agreed upon, including the (NGOs) as traditional Resources Institute (IPGRI) is meeting, which lead to the merging of the Vegetables and observers. The European one of the 16 Centres of the development of a strategy for Minor Crops Networks, and the Commission (EC) was again Consultative Group on International Agricultural Phase VII (2004-2008) of expansion of the Grain invited to join the Programme as Research (CGIAR). IPGRI’s goal ECP/GR and a mechanism to Legumes Network into an Oil a member. is to advance the conservation ensure advanced strategic and Protein Crops Network. The Representatives of 32 and use of genetic diversity for planning and the monitoring of Industrial Crops and Potato member countries attended the the well-being of present and results. Network was renamed as the SC meeting as well as IPGRI, future generations. From its The structure and role of the Sugar, Starch and Fibre FAO, the EC, the European headquarters in Rome and its regional offices, IPGRI promotes Network Coordinating Groups Network. Three new Working Consortium for Organic Plant and coordinates the action need- (NCGs) was defined in detail, Groups were established, Breeding (ECO-PB) and Pro ed for the conservation of these with more responsibility being namely: Cucurbits; Leafy Specie Rara, who represented genetic resources. assigned to these bodies for vegetables; and Fibre crops European NGOs involved with identifying priorities and actions (flax and hemp). PGR. Six non-member IPGRI’s Regional Office for within each Network. New rules A project focusing on the countries also attended, Europe provides the for the participation of Working sharing of responsibilities as a including Azerbaijan, and Coordination Secretariats for the European Cooperative Group (WG) members in possible model for a European Bosnia and Herzegovina, who Programme for Crop Genetic ECP/GR meetings were agreed Genebank Integration System declared their intention to join Resources Networks (ECP/GR) upon, and a fixed quota of (AEGIS) was endorsed for the next Phase of ECP/GR (see and for the European Forest funded participants for each ECP/GR funding. The main article page 2). Genetic Resources Programme member country was agreed objectives of this project are to A total budget of nearly 2.2 (EUFORGEN). upon for the new Phase. An focus on a few model crops, million euro was approved for additional WG Chair quota was assessing existing options for five years. The report of the IPGRI publishes two issues of the Regional Newsletter for also decided at the discretion of responsibility sharing at the meeting and a list of selected Europe a year. This Newsletter is the Chairs. European level and assessing background documents is intended to serve as an informal A detailed planning and institutional capacities and available from forum for the exchange of news prioritizing mechanism was bottlenecks in order to propose www.ecpgr.cgiar.org/Steering and views, and to create closer established, to enable priorities an AEGIS model. Committee/SC9.htm ties within the genetic resources and actions to be defined for community in Europe. Previous each subsequent Phase. issues are available from the IPGRI website. Approximately ten WGs will be prioritized for funding during International Treaty on PGRFA A Russian version of this each Phase, while the Newsletter is being produced remaining WGs will still receive In November 2001, the FAO Conference approved the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and disseminated in collabora- minimum support from the (PGRFA), as reported in Issue 22 of this Newsletter. In accordance tion with the N.I. Vavilov Secretariat. Four main issues with Article 26, the Treaty is subject to ratification, acceptance or Research Institute of Plant were endorsed as future approval. It is open for accession by all Members of FAO, and any Industry (VIR) in St. Petersburg. ECP/GR priorities for Phase VII: States that are not Members of FAO but are Members of the United Nations, or any of its specialized agencies. Instruments of accession We invite you to send your ideas ¥ Characterization and are deposited with the Director-General of FAO. In accordance with and contributions for this evaluation (including use of Article 28, the Treaty shall enter into force on the 90th day after 40 Newsletter to IPGRI’s Regional modern technologies); ratifications, acceptances, approvals or accessions, provided that at Office for Europe. Please send ¥Task sharing; least 20 of these are by FAO Members. As of 20 November 2003 (at all contributions for Issue 28 by ¥ In situ and on-farm time of print), 33 instruments had been deposited with FAO. For more 15 March 2004. information, visit www.fao.org/Legal/TREATIES/033s-e.htm conservation; and European Cooperative Programme for Crop

IPGRI2 Newsletter For Europe

Introducing a New ECP/GR Member... Bosnia and Herzegovina

Presidency, plus numerous Some ex situ collections exist ¥ undertaking a national PGR institutions. Each entity and within faculties and institutes, inventory; district have their own but there is no centralized ex government and authorities. situ conservation effort or ¥investigating the validity of FBiH is divided into ten national genebank. It is hoped existing documentation of cantons, each with executive that by participating in ECP/GR, national PGR; and and legislative authorities. a National Biodiversity Centre International cooperation, can be established with the ¥developing a regional PGR including biodiversity and PGR, assistance and experience of network between the Balkan is considered a responsibility of other ECP/GR member countries, including the the state institutions. countries. establishment of a regional BiH is located in the west of In order to establish a more Balkan genebank.

the Balkan peninsula, covering efficient system of conserving ^ 51 129 km2 with a population of these valuable resources, The priority of the recently Prof. Sulejman Redzic« 3.9 million. Biogeographically it priority actions include: developed national PGR Center for Ecology and Natural can be divided into three strategy for BiH is to establish Resources regions: the Mediterranean ¥ assigning administrative the National SC in order to Faculty of Science region (Adriatic province); responsibilities for PGR; identify the specific activities for University of Sarajevo Eurosiberian-Boreoamerican the different regions. To date, Bosnia and Herzegovina region (Illyrian and Moesian ¥ establishing a state level there are no national funds provinces, plus the relict pine Steering Committee (SC) available for these activities. forest province) and the including representatives However, once a detailed Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) mountainous Alpine-High from both entities and Brèko programme of activities and expressed a strong interest in Nordic region (High Dinaric District, as well as from the budget has been developed by officially joining Phase VII of the province). More than 50% of the various regions; the BiH SC, a funding proposal ECP/GR Programme after territory is covered with natural will be made to the government participating in the recent forests and shrubs, the rest is a ¥ establishing a legislative through the Council of Steering Committee (SC) mixture of agricultural and urban framework for biodiversity Ministers. meeting (see cover page). The areas. Different climates are and PGR management The proposed National benefits BiH expects from full found in the country activities. To date, there are Biodiversity Centre will ECP/GR membership include (mediterranean, sub- no special provisions or coordinate both national and effective information exchange mediterranean, moderate- programmes although there regional PGR activities, and participation in joint continental, continental, and are laws on nature involving all relevant national activities with other European montane), as well as a variety of protection existing within the institutions, including countries. It also offers its own bedrock, soil types, a very rich two entities; universities, institutes, centres comparative advantages, such hydrographic network, which all and laboratories able to

as the unique natural diversity contribute to the rich and unique ¥ educating and training staff participate. For more of Plant Genetic Resources biodiversity found in BiH. on optimal ex situ and in situ information, contact the focal^ (PGR) in its territory, to With about 5000 taxa of conservation techniques; point, Prof. Sulejman Redzic« contribute to the activities vascular plants, including 400 ([email protected]). carried out within ECP/GR. BiH endemic and relict species ¥ effective information has held observer status in the found in this geographically dissemination to educate ECP/GR Programme, until small area, BiH can be the broader public and to accepting the membership considered as one of the richest gain their support and requirements specified at the in plant biodiversity in Europe. understanding, including a recent SC meeting. In addition to wild species, national web site; BiH was established as a some 600 species have been republic within the Socialistic used in traditional agriculture ¥ establishing a National Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and medicine for centuries. Of Biodiversity Centre with a (SFRY) in 1945, these special value are the wild PGR department and boundaries were maintained species that have been national genebank for after signing the Dayton Peace successfully domesticated and economically important Accords in 1995, although it are now grown as crops, plant (and animal) species; existed as an independent including fruits, medicinal and entity since 1115. BiH is aromatic plants. ¥developing a database of composed of the Federation of Many species endemic to relevant PGR experts and Bosnia and Herzegovina BIH are endangered and institutions at the state level; (FBiH), the Republic Srpska developing a Red Data List is a (RS), and the Brèko District priority. Conservation efforts ¥ nominating a national PGR (BD). State functions are the include protected areas such as inventory focal person to Minuartia bosniaca endemic responsibility of the joint Council national parks, reserves, nature liaise with international plant species (BiH). Photo: Univ. of Ministers and the State and in situ conservation areas. information systems; of Sarajevo Genetic Resources Networks http://www.ecpgr.cgiar.org

IPGRI Newsletter For Europe3

ECP/GR Cereals Network meets for the first time in Armenia

When N.I. Vavilov visited included a demonstration of the 132 000 records, corresponding Armenia in the 1930s, he was tools and properties of the to 56% of all European wheat delighted with the Armenian European Avena database, accessions. This database has plant diversity and regarded the which has been used to identify been invited to participate in the site of Erebuni, near Yerevan, as duplicates conserved in Global Inventory of Wheat one of the most interesting different genebanks. This Genetic Resources developed places in the world for wild database is also evolving to by the International Center for wheat. Today, this site is a incorporate data from Canada Maize and Wheat Breeding national reserve, and a visit by and the USA and to provide a (CIMMYT). Cereal landraces, Armenia. the members of the ECP/GR model for other databases. All the database managers Photo: E. Lipman Cereals Network was one of the The European Barley agreed to analyze their highlights of this meeting. Database (EBDB) now includes databases to define lists of Representatives from 32 data for 155 000 accessions unique accessions conserved in Regarding the issue countries, FAO and IPGRI, met from 23 European countries different genebanks. Working of including characterization in Yerevan, Armenia, 3-5 July and from three extra-European Group members and genebank and evaluation data into the 2003 for this first meeting of the genebanks. It also includes curators, in consultation with databases, a general solution Cereals Network, which was evaluation results obtained from appropriate authorities, were must be sought and this officially opened by the a recently concluded European encouraged to take problem will be addressed Armenian Minister of Union (EU) funded project. responsibility for conservation, by the Documentation and Agriculture, David Lokyan, and Inter-regional links have also according to the terms agreed Information Network, since it is his deputy, Levon Rukhkyan. been established for the in the previous meeting of the a cross-cutting issue relevant The meeting involved 36 inclusion of additional data from Network Coordinating Group for all crops. The Barley members of the three Working Australia, Japan, the USA and held in July 2000 in Radzików, Working Group expressed Groups on Avena, Barley and the International Centre for Poland. A small group interest in undertaking a survey Wheat, and focused on Agricultural Research in Dry representing the different of barley workers to investigate reviewing the groups’ activities, Areas (ICARDA). Working Groups was the possibility of starting preparing workplans and Documentation of the established to prepare regional cooperation in pre- identifying priorities for the future. International Barley Core documents for the Network to breeding. Elcio P.Guimarâes, Thematic issues were also Collection (BCC) is also being identify solutions for the from FAO offered to be the focal discussed at the Network level. incorporated into the EBDB. common problem of point and to provide support for In the area of The European Wheat responsibility sharing and safety this initiative. documentation, highlights Database now contains duplication. On the subject of in situ conservation of wild relatives, the Avena Working Group Sixth Meeting of the ECP/GR Prunus Working Group recommended that efforts continue to ensure that Dr Kenneth Tobutt, Horticulture Research International United Kingdom important sites of A. magna, The sixth meeting of the ECP/GR Prunus Working Group was held 20-21 June, 2003 in A. murphyi, A. insularis and Budapest, Hungary at the kind invitation of the Research Institute for Fruit Growing and A. macrostachya are conserved Ornamentals. Working group members from 19 countries attended, and were joined by in situ. The need to improve participants from Latvia and the EUFORGEN Noble Hardwoods Group. information on the distribution The meeting began with a review of the Group’s recent activities by the current of wild relatives in Europe was Chair, Françoise Dosba. This included: the joint project on Prunus genetic resources with the European Union (EU) (GENRES 61); progress on the European Prunus Database; highlighted, and the European plans for a Decentralized European Prunus Collection; and various explanatory posters and presentations. Initiative for the Euro + This was followed by updates on the status of Prunus genetic resources in different countries, with Med Plant Base was mentioned presentations from Cyprus, Hungary, Latvia and Serbia and Montenegro, and written submissions from the as an EU-funded project to other countries. A progress report was given on the European Prunus Database, managed by Unité de génétique et amélioration des fruits et légumes (INRA), Bordeaux, which is expected to be on-line by the harmonise the Flora Europaea end of 2003. Participants also made minor revisions to the document “Towards a definition and and the Mediterranean Plant implementation of a decentralized European Prunus Collection” which defines the material to be included, Checklist. The Cereals Network sets out a modus operandi and establishes the responsibilities of the participating genebanks, the will also contribute to create a Database Manager, and the ECP/GR Working Group. Subsequent presentations and discussions focused list of European crop wild on the use of collections and their relationship with the breeding sector, the phytosanitary framework for exchange of material and the international agreements concerning access to genetic resources. relatives for the EU project A stimulating account was given on the activities of EUFORGEN’s Noble Hardwoods Group, which ÇPGR ForumÈ. included raising public awareness, a database of ‘grey’ literature and Technical Guidelines, and how these Helmut Knüpffer from responsibilities are shared by members of the Group. The Noble Hardwoods scope include wild relatives of Germany was elected as the rosaceous fruit trees including Prunus avium, so there is obvious potential for collaboration, such as on the development of phenotypic and molecular descriptors. new Chair and Marja Jalli from The final agenda item concerned funding opportunities from the EU in light of the expected call for Finland as the new Vice-Chair proposals. One potential project could be to develop the Decentralized European Prunus Collection in for the Barley Working Group. collaboration with ECP/GR, focusing on areas such as characterization, phytosanitary status, incorporation A report of the meeting is under of molecular markers and rationalization. preparation and will be available Françoise Dosba stood down as Chair after ten years service and was succeeded by Ken Tobutt, and Daniela Benediková took over as Vice-Chair. A full report of the meeting will be published in 2004. free of charge from the IPGRI Regional Office for Europe. European Cooperative Programme for Crop

IPGRI4 Newsletter For Europe

Final EPGRIS Conference and ECP/GR Documentation and Information Network meeting

On 11-13 September 2003 the of the Clearing House international/regional three-year European Union Mechanism (CHM) and of the agreements). EURISCO will (EU) funded project, European International Treaty on PGRFA. need to evolve as new Plant Genetic Resources Significant time was technologies rapidly develop, Information Infra-Structure dedicated to discussing particularly with regard to (EPGRIS) held its final meeting EURISCO itself, including the Geographical Information in Prague, Czech Republic, technical aspects of the Systems (GIS) and data jointly with the ECP/GR database software and exchange through Extensible Documentation and Information structure, the uploading Markup Language (XML). Both Network. EPGRIS supported mechanism and related EPGRIS and EURISCO provide the creation of a network of standards, and the functional a unique opportunity to rethink National Inventories in Europe, aspects of the Web site. The the structure of the ECP/GR and provided central access to EPGRIS Focal Persons also Documentation and Information these National Inventories via a provided their feedback and Network, and a new approach European PGR Web search opinions on EURISCO. The to future opportunities. catalogue (EURISCO) (see box complementary nature and A report is being compiled below). This meeting followed interaction of EURISCO with and will be available in early the third meeting of PGR Forum other PGR Documentation 2004 on the ECP/GR Web site (see page 5) held 8-10 networks, and links with the and in print format from IPGRI. September 2003 focusing on FAO World Information and For more information about the documentation of in situ Early Warning System EURISCO, visit conservation. Approximately (WIEWS), the Germplasm http://eurisco.ecpgr.org/ or 100 European PGR Resources Information Network contact the ECP/GR Secretariat documentation experts met for (GRIN), the System-wide at IPGRI. this special occasion, including Information Network for Genetic 40 European National PGR Resources (SINGER), and Inventory Focal Persons, 50 others were also discussed. European Central Crop The future of EURISCO and Database (ECCDB) Managers the information infra-structure and other documentation created by EPGRIS was experts. The meeting provided debated, including the potential an occasion for this unique to extend the scope and group of experts to discuss the sustainability of EURISCO outcomes of EPGRIS, assess within ECP/GR; the role of the the status of development of the ECCDBs and their managers; National Inventories, and the and how EURISCO can best impact EURISCO could have on serve the users of PGR PGR documentation. documentation (breeding and In each European country, a research sector, genebanks, in National PGR Inventory Focal situ/on-farm conservation and Person was nominated with the responsibility to coordinate the development of their national EURISCO PGR inventory and to provide these data to EURISCO. The European Plant Genetic Resources Web The agenda of this final search catalogue EURISCO provides access to PGR information in Europe and facilitates meeting included a discussion the location of and access to germplasm of the different aspects of material. It is composed of, and updated with, compiling National Inventories - data from the National Inventories of PGR such as developing the accessions maintained ex situ, and is hosted technical infrastructure for use and maintained by IPGRI on behalf of ECP/GR with support from the System-wide Information as a national network; improving Network for Genetic Resources (SINGER). access to PGR; and adding EURISCO was officially made public in September 2003 at the value by including specific final meeting of the European Plant Genetic Resources Information collections and promoting their Infra-Structure (EPGRIS). It currently contains passport information on over 882 000 accessions from 26 European countries, which use to improve national PGR accounts for only a part of the information available from the management. Also highlighted European National PGR Inventories. It is anticipated that the was the role of National catalogue will be completed after the inclusion of more information Inventories in implementing and the quality of the data improved significantly over the coming international agreements and months, once EURISCO has undergone thorough testing and made ready for general public access. More information about EURISCO supporting National is available at: http://eurisco.ecpgr.org/ Programmes in the framework Genetic Resources Networks http://www.ecpgr.cgiar.org

IPGRI Newsletter For Europe5

New collaboration between genebanks and the private sector

During the ECP/GR Vegetables genebanks and the material specific material requiring Network meeting held in May requiring regeneration and to regeneration; preparing the 2003 in Skierniewice, Poland, identify breeders, the material appropriate agreements, and (see Issue 26), the ECP/GR they wish to test, and provide launching the initiative in time Secretariat presented a the necessary documentation. for the next spring planting in proposal to establish a new Agreements to ensure 2004. For more information on mode of collaboration between implementation of regeneration this initiative please contact genebanks and the private standards and return of the Aixa Del Greco sector. multiplied material to the ([email protected]). The proposal is in line with genebanks will be established. the ECP/GR objectives of A task force from the facilitating the increased use of Vegetables Network is advising PGR; encouraging cooperation and assisting the ECP/GR between stakeholders (including Secretariat in preparing the NGOs and private breeders); agreements, identifying and the 6th Priority Activity of contacts and finalizing the the Global Plan of Action, which details of the project. Members recommends the regeneration of the task force include of threatened ex situ representatives from the Czech accessions. This initiative will Republic, France, Germany, enable the creation of additional Italy, Poland, Spain, the Nordic links, involving genebanks and Countries and the Netherlands. plant breeders in both eastern A number of private and western Europe. companies in Germany, Italy, This will enable the Spain, and the Netherlands emergency regeneration of expressed interest in this vegetable accessions at initiative. The first genebank to genebanks and identify request help was the Institut für breeders available to multiply Pflanzengenetik und this genetic material. The Kulturpflanzenforschung (IPK), ECP/GR Secretariat was Gatersleben in Germany for the designated as the focal point propagation of seeds of wild and will coordinate and monitor species of Allium. the overall process. The The next steps include Secretariat will work with the completing the list of Vegetables Network genebanks/breeders interested representatives to identify in the initiative; identifying the PGR Forum workshop on in situ data management methodologies

The European Crop Wild Relative Diversity Assessment and Conservation Forum (PGR Forum) is a Thematic Network funded by the European Commission (EC) Fifth Framework Programme for Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development, as outlined in Issue 26 of this newsletter. It provides a European forum for the assessment of taxonomic and genetic diversity of European crop wild relatives, the development of appropriate conservation methodologies, and the establishment of an information system providing access to European crop wild relative data. On 8-10 September 2003, a PGR Forum workshop, organized by Zentralstelle fûr Agrardokumentation und information (ZADI), Germany, was held at the Research Institute of Crop Production (RICP) in Prague, Czech Republic. This workshop focused on aspects of in situ data management methodologies and the development of the information system. A preliminary conceptual model for an information infrastructure for European crop wild relatives (CWR) was proposed. A European CWR taxon database will be at the core of the information infrastructure with links to external data sources. The database of taxonomic and crop data is to include the genus, species, uses, related crops, gene pool/taxon group, and will be curated by the University of Birmingham, UK during the lifespan of PGR Forum. A report is being compiled and will be available on the PGR Forum Web site shortly. The next PGR Forum workshop on population management and monitoring methodologies will take place 21-25 April 2004 in Minorca, Spain. For more information about PGR Forum, visit www.pgrforum.org/ or contact Shelagh Kell ([email protected]). European Cooperative Programme for Crop Genetic Resources Networks http://www.ecpgr.cgiar.org

IPGRI6 Newsletter For Europe

First meeting of the ECP/GR Vitis Working Group

The Working Group (WG) on considered a target future Grapevine variety Vitis was established in October activitiy, with the aim of differentiation and identification 2001, in response to a request completing the inventory of the is indispensable for enabling made by the coordinator (E. genetic resources collections in reliable research outputs and Maul) of the GENRES 081 Europe, including hybrids, reliable knowledge for breeding European Union (EU) funded rootstocks and wild species. purposes, as well as for the project on Vitis. The creation of Adapting the passport data efficient management of this WG enabled the network, used in the European Vitis grapevine germplasm established within the EU Database to the standards conservation in genebanks. project, to renew its adopted by the European Plant The WG noted that to detect collaboration and to extend it to Genetic Resources (PGR) web the existence of synonyms, Grapevine variety Tsolikouri from Georgia. Photo: L. Brancadoro countries outside the EU. The search catalogue EURISCO homonyms or mis-names in WG held its first meeting 12-14 (based on the FAO/IPGRI grapevine collections, June 2003 in Palic,« Serbia and Multi-Crop passport ampelographic characterization serious genetic erosion of Montenegro, involving descriptors) was also must be undertaken using data grapevine variability and clonal representatives from 18 considered important by the from Simple Sequence diversity.This erosion is caused countries, starting off with WG members. No further Repeats (Microsatellites) (SSR) by: increase of international overviews of their national description of grapevine markers. Following the trade; predominance of a small collections. varieties is envisaged at the standardization work number of varieties in several Reports on the status of the moment regarding the addition undertaken by the GENRES countries; predominance of few European Vitis Database of primary and secondary 081 project, this analysis clones of each single variety; (www.genres.de/eccdb/vitis/) characterization data. proved to be a suitable and replacement of old vineyards and the progress made in Descriptors of the International reliable tool for grapevine by plantations with modern harmonizing descriptors were Union for the Protection of New variety identification. Therefore, cultivars; decrease of given. The addition of passport Varieties of Plants (UPOV), the Vitis Working Group viticultural surface, especially in data of grapevine collections IPGRI/FAO and the Office members decided to establish those sites particularly rich in from countries not yet included International de la Vigne et du an SSR-marker database as biodiversity; and laws in the database (especially Vin (OIV) are being part of the European Vitis restricting the use of traditional eastern Europe), and from reconsidered for further database, recommending that varieties for planting and other regional and harmonization which will be researchers working with Vitis marketing. Considering the departmental collections, was developed for 2004/2005. SSR marker analysis include, critical situation in some wine in each SSR marker research, growing countries, the Vitis WG IPGRI Fellowship on Vitis at least the same six concluded that extra support is microsatellite loci obtained by needed for safeguarding the David Maghradze from the Georgian Research Institute of the GENRES project. This remaining grapevine diversity Horticulture, Viticulture and Oenology began his ten-month IPGRI would then allow immediate and recommended that each funded fellowship on 1 September 2003 at the University of Milan, comparison with the EU project country should maintain its Italy. Within the framework of the international research project, variety identification data. In own traditional varieties in “Conservation and sustainable use of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) genetic resources in the Caucasus and the Northern Black Sea order to verify the “true type” of national or regional regions”, the fellowship is being supervised by Prof A. Scienza and the variety, microsatellite data ampelographic collections and Dr O. Failla in the Dipartimento di Produzione Vegetale. should also be accompanied protect Vitis vinifera ssp. According to the Scientific Collaboration Programme of the wherever possible by sylvestris in situ. Each country University of Milan, the general aim of this fellowship is to transfer basic knowledge to increase the Vitis research capacity in Georgia. ampelographic descriptors plus should strive to preserve the The research on 150 Georgian Vitis varieties will include: photographic documentation. clonal variability, through the The WG also noted that the identification of old vineyards, ¥ Modern techniques for characterization of varieties based on the European Commission (EC) is prospecting and collecting of FAO/IPGRI Multi-Crop passport Descriptors and completion of prioritizing the establishment of clones representing the widest ampelographical cards; ¥ Chemical analyses of grape samples, including a European Catalogue of intra-varietal variability. chemoÐtaxonomical analyses of berry skins and defining the grapevine varieties, aiming to Depending on specific cultivar anthocyanic (glycoside pigment) profile of varieties on the basis of create an on-line database variability and history, up to High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) for including all varieties officially 200-500 clones per variety are phylogenetic comparison; ¥ DNA molecular techniques to detect genetic variation in these accepted for the considered necessary for the genetic resources, specifically Amplified Fragments Length commercialization of establishment of clonal Polymorphism (AFLP) and Simple Sequence Repeats propagated material. It will conservatories. (Microsatellites) (SSR) markers. The data from these therefore be necessary to Jesús Ortiz from Spain and investigations will be used for fingerprinting and ampelographical document intra-varietal genetic Edi Maletic from Croatia, were characterization of the Georgian varieties. diversity in order to justifiably selected by the Group as The research will also include visits to the major viticultural regions, oppose possible requests for respectively Chair and Vice- research organizations and nurseries in Italy for training throughout eliminating standard material in Chair. A report of the meeting the period of study.The work being undertaken as part of this the near future. will be published and available fellowship will contribute significantly to the success of the international project in the Caucasus region of which it is a part. The WG expressed deep free of charge from the IPGRI concern for the ongoing and Regional Office for Europe. IPGRI Newsletter For Europe7

Follow-up on the EU GENRES CT96-088 and other collaborative maize projects

This initiative of making the ¥Evaluation of heterosis project results available to among French and Spanish stakeholders and donors was populations of the warmly welcome by the invited EUMLCC. European Commission (EC) representative, Freddy Issues of general interest Steenhoff (Agriculture were also addressed, both at Directorate-General). It also the national level by provided the project partners representatives of the BRG with an opportunity to discuss providing an overview of PGR future related activities. activities in France, and at the Presentations given by the international level by the EC project partners included: representative on the status and perspectives of Plant ¥ An overview of the Genetic Resources (PGR) in inventory, description and the European Union. classification of the genetic Discussions also touched on Diversity for ear shape and kernel color in maize populations and diversity of European maize crucial aspects related to PGR hybrids. Author: Ph. Noël, INRA landraces, including the management and conservation, European maize landraces including international policies database (EUMLDB) and regulations such as Based on an initiative of Jean- National Agricultural Research available online at intellectual property rights, the Pierre Monod, President of the Foundation (NAGREF), www.montpellier.inra.fr/gap/r International Treaty on PGRFA, French Association pour l’Etude Greece; Institut für esgen88 and and links to international et l’Amélioration du Maïs (Pro- Pflanzengenetik und www.montpellier.inra.fr/gap/r organizations. Maïs) of maize breeders, a Kulturpflanzenforschung (IPK), esgen88/BD/Eumldb.zip Çpost-project encounterÈ was Germany; Banco Português de and the structure of the This two-day encounter was organized 12-13 June 2003 to Germoplasma Vegetal (BPGV), genetic variability using considered extremely fruitful, report back on results obtained Portugal; and Pro-Maïs, France. different descriptors. having fully met its objectives to from the following projects on share the results of the the diversity of maize ¥ Flint maize populations ¥ Identification of a European GENRES and other populations: diversity maize landraces collaborative projects and to This project involved the Pro- representative collection stimulate new links between the ¥ EU GENRES CT96-088 Maïs and INRA laboratories, (EUMLRC) and a European project partners and other project ÇImplementation of from 1997-2002 and was maize landraces core stakeholders. It was also a the European network for coordinated by Alain collection (EUMLCC) using learning process on the evaluation, conservation and Charcosset from INRA-Le different descriptors. methodology of dynamic utilisation of European maize Moulon, France. conservation and evaluation of landraces genetic ¥Evaluation of the European maize genetic resources. The resourcesÈ. ¥ Heterotic patterns core collection via wide diversity of this crop calls between French and Spanish evaluation of forage maize for continuous selection and the Coordinated by Jacques maize landraces for digestibility and best results obtained within the Dallard from the Institut Coordinated by Rosana Malvar harvesting time; quantitative projects will serve as the basis National de la Recherche from CSIC-Pontevedra, Spain evaluation for grain quality; for further activities in this field. Agronomique (INRA), Mauguio, and Armand Boyat from INRA- resistance to European corn France, the project period of Mauguio, France, this project borer and to pink stem 1997-2001 was extended to was undertaken during 2000- borer; tolerance to low March 2002 to allow the 2001 within the framework of nitrogen level; and completion of experiments. the Picasso bilateral screening for drought Project partners included seven cooperation. resistance. European countries represented by nine institutions: This post-project encounter ¥ Historical aspects of maize A CD containing all the INRA, Mauguio, France; Center took place at INRA in were outlined by the use of abstracts, presentations and for Genetic Resources (CGN), Montpellier, France, bringing DNA pooling to assess related information the Netherlands; Centro de together more than 60 diversity and its application from this meeting will be distributed to all participants and Investigación Agraria de participants. All project partners in the investigation of maize will also be available upon Mabegondo (CIAM), Spain; were represented except IPK introduction in Europe, request at a cost of 15 euros. Consejo Superior de and CGN, and representatives allowing the comparison of For more information please Investigaciones Científicas also attended from INRA, the European and American contact Armand Boyat (CSIC), Spain; Istituto Bureau des Ressources maize diversity, providing ([email protected]) or Jacques Dallard Sperimentale per la Génétiques (BRG) and other insights on the origin of ([email protected]) Cerealicoltura (ISC), Italy; local scientific institutions. European maize. IPGRI8 Newsletter For Europe

Launch of a grapevine conservation initiative

In July 2003, the Georgian use of grapevine genetic foreign material which is much Institute of Horticulture, resources in the Caucasus less suited to the local Viticulture and Winemaking and Northern Black Sea environmental conditions. planted a new grapevine (Vitis Region”. The main goal of this Prior to the breakup of the vinifera L.) conservation initiative is to strengthen the USSR, the agricultural policy collection in its Vashlidjvari national capacity in the aimed at standardizing experimental field near Tbilisi. countries of the region to production with homogeneous This new collection includes ensure the long-term industrial varieties. Although this 230 traditional varieties (ten maintenance of Vitis genetic policy did not favour the plants of each) originating from resources, including both the maintenance of grapevine threatened collections around cultivated traditional varieties diversity, local varieties the country, including Dighomi, and the wild resources. In continued to be grown in a Mukhrani and Telavi. The survey particular, the activities aim at number of small farms. A and characterization of the identifying, collecting, network of genetic resources varieties was undertaken, and characterizing and conserving collections also operated, part of the material was the rich diversity of grapevine ensuring the conservation of regenerated in close genetic resources throughout the genetic material. This Grapevine variety Rkatsiteli collaboration with the University the Caucasus and the situation has rapidly Vartisperi from Georgia. Photo: of Milan, Italy. At the same northern Black Sea region, as deteriorated in recent years, L. Brancadoro time, David Maghradze, the a basis to improve local since the degenerating socio- scientist responsible for the viticulture and wine making economic situation of the rural conservation activities (see genetic resources from the industry. population has caused many Box); training and scientific Georgian Institute, began his The exact number of vineyards to be abandoned. exchange; information, ten-month fellowship at the traditional local varieties Wine production, founded documentation and University of Milan (See occurring in the region is on knowledge-based use of communication; and genetic page 7). uncertain, but is estimated to be genetic resources and on identification research. Establishing this in the range of 600-1500. sustainable viticultural practices, The three-year project, conservation collection in Despite the high level of local provides a major potential coordinated by IPGRI, includes Vashlidjvari was completed as grapevine diversity, very few source of income for the local partners from all six countries in part of the pilot phase of the cultivars are cultivated in this population in the low-income the region and will receive three-year project region, and there is instead a transition countries of the financial support for the agreed “Conservation and sustainable tendency towards planting Caucasus and the northern workplan from the Government Black Sea region. This region is of Luxembourg. Contributions considered to be a primary “in kind” have also been offered Conservation activities centre for the domestication of by various institutions across grapevine, and these resources Europe. Mobilization of genetic resources - study of sources of material (traditional varieties and wild are of significant relevance to In the late 1800s, the grapevine) the Mediterranean basin and for European wine industry was - inventory of the distribution area (use of geographic information the development of the afflicted by Phylloxera, an insect system) European modern cultivars. The that almost completely - collecting missions (joint collecting missions and collecting material wild species, Vitis vinifera ssp. destroyed European viticulture. in each country) - documentation of collecting site information sylvestris, the supposed Crop improvement and - exchange of genetic material between countries (re-introduction of ancestor of the cultivated particularly resistance to pests varieties) grapevine, still occurs and diseases, are crucial issues throughout this region. in viticulture. Conserving wild or Conservation measures - establishment of 2-3 collections in different ecogeographic At the end of October 2003, traditional local material is locations/countries 11 participants from the six particularly important as it - micropropagation, clean-up if needed, virus identification; countries of the region contains genetic information cryopreservation of particularly valuable genotypes (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, responsible for natural - conservation of wild grapevine (in situ measures seeking adequate Moldova, Russia and Ukraine) resistance to major pests and policy and legal support from national authorities; complementary ex situ measures for threatened forms; introduction into breeding met for the first time in Tbilisi, diseases affecting grapevine programmes; research into levels and patterns of genetic variation; Georgia. This meeting was an production. As a main wine- monitoring) important milestone for planning producer, Europe has a -exchange of experience on intellectual property protection with common strategies and to common responsibility for the other European countries define priorities and the mode conservation of grapevine Documentation and characterization of operation during the next genetic resources in its old - adoption of common information standards for compilation of three years. The participants “home”, from which cultivation databases (wild grapevine, landraces, traditional varieties and nominated focal persons and spread into the world. breeding varieties) main partners in each country, For more information on this -characterization of the germplasm using IPGRI descriptors -devote 10% of the germplasm for research purposes identified priorities, and project visit - study of seeds of traditional varieties (archaeo-botanical research) developed a joint workplan with www.ipgri.cgiar.org/regions/ shared tasks. These include: europe IPGRI Newsletter For Europe9

New in situ and on-farm conservation in Central Asia

Ms Muhabbat Turdieva & N. I. Vavilov himself highlighted subject to different selection and national decision-makers. Ms Shirin Karryeva Central Asia as the region pressures, including farmers’ Grants to develop this project IPGRI- CWANA Sub-Regional richest in species and intra- selection. proposal are being provided by Office for Central Asia specific diversity, and as one of The five Central Asian the Global Environment Facility Tashkent the five most important centres countries are working in (GEF) through the United Uzbekistan of origin of cultivated plants. collaboration with IPGRI to Nations Environment Program Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, identify options for conserving (UNEP). The first Project Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and horticultural crops and their wild Development Phase (PDF A) Uzbekistan are rich in highly relatives through a regional was successfully completed at variable domesticated crops project on “In Situ/On-Farm the end of 2001, and PDF B (16 and landraces with unique Conservation of Agricultural months) will be completed in characteristics. Popular species Biodiversity (Horticultural Crops April 2004. Additional funding is in these countries include and Wild Fruit Species) in being sought to ensure the almond, apple, apricot, fig, Central Asia”. The aim of this successful and effective grape, peach, pear, pistachio, proposed five-year project is to implementation of the project plum and pomegranate. Many equip farmers, institutes and and to complement the existing valuable landraces and old local local communities with the support of the GEF. cultivars of cherry, peach, knowledge, methodologies and Outputs of PDF A are being persimmon, pomegranate and policies to enable the in situ/on- evaluated and tested during the quince are still maintained in farm conservation of globally second phase of the project home gardens and on small significant horticultural crops (PDF B) - such as: the criteria farms. and wild fruit species in Central for crop priority setting; Farmers in this region have Asia. The project focuses on identifying priority conserved landraces and local traditional local varieties of fruit agroecosystems/ecological varieties since crop cultivation crops maintained by farmers zones; selection of pilot sites; began. Growing a mixture of and their wild relatives growing assessment of training needs; diverse local materials, in forests, and on the refining the logical framework of farmers would select enhancement of farmers’ and the project; and the proposed varieties adapted to the community capacities to implementation of the project. local environmental conserve in situ horticulture Local communities are being conditions. However, the diversity. In order to achieve this involved in the project and in introduction of new, purpose the project will: agrobiodiversity conservation uniform cultivars, the use efforts by establishing of chemical fertilizers, ¥Develop and ensure support multidisciplinary committees at and increased for farmers and local each pilot site. A regional tool to mechanization have communities in conserving assess the levels of diversity reduced the area of local in situ/on-farm local and distribution for in situ/on- cultivars grown. This has varieties of fruit crops and farm management of priority Pomegranates in Central Asia. also caused traditional diversity- wild relatives; species has also been Photo: IPGRI-CWANA based farming systems to ¥ Strengthen and make developed and tested at the disappear, the degradation of available the knowledge and pilot sites. Testing and arable lands, and the pollution methodologies on in situ evaluation of this survey tool of the environment. conservation of fruit crops has enabled valuable feedback Fortunately, some and forest wild fruit species; to be incorporated. landraces and traditional ¥ Establish broad participation Three meetings of the cultivars can still be found in and partnerships/links International Steering isolated and marginal areas, between farmers, Committee and two national such as mountains and oases institutions, and countries; workshops in each country where they are considered and were organized to refine the integral components of these ¥ Build capacity at local, project and the countries’ farming systems. Many wild fruit regional, and national levels components and feedback species are also still found in and support in situ/on-farm from stakeholders incorporated. forest areas and are valuable conservation of fruit genetic The project proposal for genetic resources for food crops resources. implementation over the next due to their resistance to three to five years will be insects, disease and their The project involves consulting submitted to UNEP-GEF adaptation to the wild. The role a wide range of stakeholders, Secretariat in mid March 2004 of farming communities is including farmers and Non- once the second phase central to in situ and on-farm Governmental Organizations (PDF B) is complete. For more conservation. Local cultivars are (NGOs), academics, national information please, contact passed from generation to agricultural and forestry Shirin Karryeva generation of farmers and are research institutions, and local ([email protected]). IPGRI10 Newsletter For Europe

Conference on collective action and property rights: CAPRi

Dr Pablo Eyzaguirre & The sixth annual workshop on interests,” Marshall, 1998. The Ms. Adriana Woods Páez “Collective Action and Property nature of collective action and “[it] presented a nice range of perspectives, from Hodgkin’s Genetic Resources Science Rights initiative” (CAPRi) was how institutions govern access review of IPGRI projects, to and Technology Group held 29 September - 2 October to a particular stream of Mexico and Uzbekistan case IPGRI, 2003 at IPGRI in Rome, Italy. A benefits (through property studies, to the specifics of NGO Rome, Italy total of 44 participants from rights), strongly influence the and government efforts in Ethiopia and the Philippines. around the world came to way in which people use While there were a range of present papers, discuss resources. In turn, the nature of perspectives on what type of problematic issues, and to learn resource management directly collective action or property from colleagues with training affects production systems. By rights these entailed, it was great and experience in a myriad of disseminating its research to see a consolidation of current work in this area.È fields. The aim of this across a wide range of public Eric Van Dusen of Berkeley conference was to bring and private sectors, CAPRi can University, farmer seed systems together agricultural contribute to policies and specialist economists, geneticists, plant practices aimed at alleviating breeders, ecologists, and social rural poverty. CAPRi has six sustainability of resources. scientists into a rich, priority research themes Since the conference was multidisciplinary discussion including: the role of hosted at IPGRI, emphasis was forum, tackling property rights environmental risk; genetic placed on PGR, although many and collective action that resources; changing market participants had experience in underpin the conservation and relationships; and technology watershed and land resource use of Plant Genetic Resources adoption. management. Participants (PGR). The Conference was examined the issue of farmers’ CAPRi is a System-wide organized by the International (and lack thereof) and breeders’ Genetic Resources Programme Food Policy Research Institute intellectual property rights and (SGRP) of the Consultative (IFPRI) in association with questioned the dynamic and Group on International IPGRI. The four days were contrasting definitions of Agricultural Research (CGIAR). divided into morning collective action and ownership. It aims to identify and assess presentations/discussion of The different degrees of the effectiveness of multi-level papers and the afternoons were PGR management range from organizational and institutional dedicated to working groups international regulations such collective action and property exploring approaches to: policy- as the Convention on Biological rights, and to examine the making; institutional issues; Diversity (CBD) and the internal and external influences local conservation; and International Union for the which may alter or endanger research methodologies Protection of New Varieties of their effectiveness. Collective associated with collective action Plants (UPOV), to national action may be defined as and property rights and the policies, legal pluralism at the “action taken by a group…in ways that these influence community levels, and the pursuit of members’ perceived efficiency, equity, and personal interests of individuals. These needs demand that scientists develop research AGORA - A global partnership assisting approaches integrated across user groups, resources, time, developing countries and agro-ecological Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture (AGORA) is an initiative to provide free or low-cost landscapes. Successful policy access to major scientific journals in agriculture and related biological, environmental and social making to promote the sciences to public institutions in developing countries. Launched in October 2003, led by FAO, the goal of conservation of resources and AGORA is to increase the quality and effectiveness of agricultural research, education and training in low- the improvement of livelihoods income countries, and in turn, to improve food security. Researchers, policy-makers, educators, students, must be sensitized to collective technical workers and extension specialists will have access to high-quality, relevant and timely agricultural action and property rights that information via the Internet. promote a multiplicity of Blackwell Publishing, CABI Publishing, Elsevier, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Lippincott, Williams & production systems valuing Wilkins, Nature Publishing Group, Oxford University Press, Springer-Verlag, and John Wiley & Sons are the genetic diversity. founding partners of AGORA, providing access to over 400 of their journals. For institutions in most countries where the annual per capita GNP is US$1000 or less access to For more information contact AGORA is likely to be free. Special conditions may apply in a small number of cases, where institutions in Monica DiGregorio some countries will not be eligible for some or all of the content. ([email protected]) or visit Participating institutions will require computers connected to the Internet with a connection of 56k baud [email protected]. rate or higher. The system is designed to work best with Internet Explorer version 4.0 or higher, or Netscape version 6 or higher. Users will also need an Adobe Acrobat viewer for journal articles in PDF format. For more information please visit www.aginternetwork.org or email [email protected] for further details. IPGRI Newsletter For Europe11

Update on implementing the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation

Dr Ehsan Dulloo, The Conference of the Parties each of the 16 targets, as well security and health care, Genetic Resources Science (COP) of the Convention on as baseline data for monitoring. halted”.People and Plants and Technology Group Biological Diversity (CBD) It also proposed that the CBD International are also IPGRI, adopted a Global Strategy for designate lead institutions to involved in this Rome, Italy Plant Conservation (GSPC) at support and facilitate the further collaboration. its 6th meeting in the Hague in development of each target, by 2002 (Decision VI/9). This holding stakeholder FAO and IPGRI have strategy calls for concerted consultations for all the targets initiated the process for actions to halt the current and except for targets 3 (models), developing a background continuing loss of plant diversity 14 (education and awareness), paper for each of these targets by providing a framework to 15 (capacity building) and 16 through electronic stakeholder facilitate harmony between (networks) which are consultations which are existing initiatives aimed at plant considered as cross-cutting available on the CBD web site. conservation, which is in line targets. The group met again in To contribute, please send your with targets agreed at the World Dingle Co. Kerry, Ireland in inputs to Ehsan Dulloo at IPGRI Summit on Sustainable October 2003 to review the ([email protected]) or to Linda Development (WSSD) in progress made by lead Collette at FAO Johannesburg, South Africa in institutions on the stakeholder ([email protected] ). 2002. The key element of this consultations. For a progress The remaining targets are strategy is that it includes 16 update, visit the CBD Web site being facilitated by other outcome-oriented targets to be (www.biodiv.org/doc/meeting. organizations such as the achieved by 2010. These asp?mtg=TEMPC-02) International Union for the targets are divided into five IPGRI was invited by the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), groups dealing with: CBD to facilitate five of the 16 World Conservation Union, understanding and targets. Facilitation of Target 8 is World Conservation Monitoring documenting plant diversity; being undertaken by IPGRI in Centre, Planta Europa, Plant conserving plant diversity; collaboration with BGCI, which life, CITES etc. sustainable uses of plant is to ensure “60% of threatened Of particular relevance to diversity; promoting education plant species in accessible ex Europe, and closely linked to and awareness; and building situ collections, preferably in the the GSPC, is the development capacity. country of origin, and 10% of of the European Strategy for At the request of the COP, them included in recovery and Plant Conservation the Subsidiary Body on restoration programmes”. The (UNEP/CBD/COP/6/INF/22), Scientific, Technical and other four targets involving which was developed at the Technological Advice (SBSTTA) IPGRI are being facilitated third Planta Europa European of the CBD established a through collaboration with FAO, conference on the conservation mechanism to develop ways specifically: of wild plants held in June 2001 and means, within the in the Czech Republic. The Convention’s thematic and ¥Target 6 “At least 30% of strategy includes regional cross-cutting programmes of production lands managed targets to be achieved by 2007, work, to promote the further consistent with the which may be adapted to development and conservation of plant harmonize with the 2010 implementation of the GSPC, diversity”, targets of the GSPC. and to monitor and assess Designated lead organizations progress. A group of experts ¥Target 9 “70% of production are working to achieve these were invited by the CBD to form lands managed consistent targets, which are facilitating a liaison group to provide with the conservation of and monitoring progress at a additional guidance on plant diversity”, regional level. IPGRI is involved implementing and monitoring as a contributing organization in the strategy.This group first met ¥Target 12 “30% of plant several of the EPCS targets in Cartagena, Colombia in based products derived related to the conservation of October 2002, organized in from sources that are genetic diversity, ex situ collaboration with Botanic sustainably managed” and conservation and wild crop Gardens Conservation relatives. International (BGCI) and ¥Target 13 “The decline of supported by HSBC through its plant resources and “Investing in Nature” associated local and partnership. This meeting indigenous knowledge reviewed and considered the innovations and practices need to develop sub-targets, that support sustainable milestones and indicators for livelihoods, local food European Forest Genetic Resources Programme

IPGRI12 Newsletter For Europe

Fourth meeting of the EUFORGEN Conifers Network

The fourth meeting of the environment by preventing soil careful monitoring. In some EUFORGEN Conifers Network erosion and facilitating the species, disease and pest was organized in Pitlochry, recovery of native vegetation - problems only develop after a Scotland, 18-20 October 2003. a fact not always recognized in considerable time lag, and may Participants from 26 countries the debate on exotic species. be difficult to eradicate due to focused on the issue of Despite the obvious mistakes the lack of natural control. conserving and using exotic made in cultivating exotics (i.e. Furthermore, analyses of conifer species in Europe, and planting on unsuitable sites), second-generation performance kicked off with presentations the use of non-native material of some introduced tree species highlighting the experiences of needs to be considered as an show that adaptation to new the UK and other European acceptable option under clearly environmental conditions can countries. defined conditions, such as be relatively fast and, In a number of countries impoverished dendroflora. consequently, the genepool can EUFORGEN with low native forest cover, The meeting participants change significantly even within such as Iceland, Ireland and the concluded that the cultivation of one generation. This swift UK, exotic conifers have a exotics may have certain adaptation may lead to the special role not only in forestry, ecological and genetic emergence of landraces, and but also in protecting the consequences which require such locally adapted genetic material should be conserved by appropriate methods. It was New MCPFE Work Programme adopted also recommended that the conservation of exotic tree Following the Fourth Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in species should be incorporated Europe (MCPFE), an Expert Level Meeting was held 16-17 October 2003 in in both national programmes on Vienna, Austria. Representatives from 34 countries, the European Commission and several international organizations exchanged views on the outputs of the forest genetic resources and Vienna Ministerial Conference held in April and intensively discussed a draft pan-European efforts. work programme for the implementation of the five Vienna Resolutions (see The summary report of the Issue 26 page 5). Several additions were made to the draft work programme meeting is available through the before it was adopted at the end of the meeting. Under Resolution 4 on forest biological diversity, forest genetic resources were added as an EUFORGEN website. The next independent focus area. This is inline with one of the specific commitments made by the Vienna meeting will be held in Cyprus Conference, i.e. to promote the conservation of forest genetic resources as an integral part of sustainable in spring 2005, provided that forest management and to continue pan-European collaboration in this area. In practice, European the Conifers Network will countries will be implementing this commitment by continuing their active collaboration on forest genetic continue in its present form resources within the EUFORGEN Programme. More information on the MCPFE Work Programme can be found at www.mcpfe.org. during Phase III of EUFORGEN. Nordic cooperation on forest genetic resources

The five Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) have cooperated on various fields of interest for decades. In the 1990s, several discussions focused on increasing collaboration on the conservation of forest genetic resources amongst the countries. One of the ideas proposed was to establish a genebank for forest genetic resources, similar to the Nordic Gene Bank in Alnarp, Sweden for crops and farm animals. However, this suggestion was not considered as a feasible option due to the large investment required, as well as the fact that forest genetic resources conservation involves conserving living trees in their natural sites and environments (in situ) more than ex situ conservation in genebanks. In the early 2000s, the Nordic countries agreed that a network on forest genetic resources, under the umbrella of the Nordic Council of Forest Reproductive Material (NSFP), would be a more feasible option. This idea was also included in the Strategy for Conservation of Genetic Resources in the Nordic Region 2001Ð2004. In March 2003, the NSFP included the establishment of this network into its work programme for 2003Ð2006. Entitled the ‘Nordic Network for Forest Tree Gene Conservation’, this network will promote the importance of forest tree gene resources among policy-makers, forestry professionals and the general public in the Nordic countries. Operational gene conservation work is another area in which this new network will facilitate Nordic cooperation. Instead of trying to harmonize approaches used for gene conservation, the focus will be upon learning from the successes and failures in planning and implementing national activities in the region. Despite the many commonalities of the five countries, there are differences in their forestry which have resulted in very different gene conservation strategies. The first meeting of the Nordic Network for Forest Tree Gene Conservation took place 1-2 September 2003 in Finland to develop future activities. All five countries were represented and IPGRI was also invited to provide an update from the pan-European perspective. One of the first activities will be to develop a web site to disseminate relevant information. It was also agreed that the first concrete product will be a folder of maps on the in situ conservation areas of Norway spruce, lime and birch in the Nordic countries. The next meeting will be held in Iceland in August 2004. For further information, please contact the Network Coordinator Leena Yrjänä at the Finnish Forest Research Institute ([email protected]) or the Chair Lennart Ackzell at the Swedish National Board on Forestry ([email protected]). EUFORGEN http://www.euforgen.org

IPGRI Newsletter For Europe13

Second International Elm Conference

Dr Luis Gil, Elms (Ulmus spp.) are an initiated to coordinate the and management; developing Anatomía, Fisiología y Genética important element of the conservation of the elm genetic ideas for elm improvement; and Forestal landscape from a conservation, resources of nine European involving local communities in Universidad Politécnica de heritage and amenity point of countries. Coordinated by elm research and conservation. Madrid view. Since the beginning of the Cemagref in France, it involves A total of 94 participants Spain 20th century, elm forests have 14 institutes and a diverse from 19 countries (Austria, & been afflicted by Dutch Elm group of scientists and Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Dr Alejandro Solla Disease (DED) caused by foresters. Progress made during China, France, Germany, Biología y Producción de los Ophiostoma ulmi and O. novo- this project is available at Greece, India, Iran, Italy, Vegetales ulmi, as well as habitat www.cemagref.fr/Informations/R Portugal, Romania, Serbia and Universidad de Extremadura destruction and other human echerch/milieutr/projetgeneticre Montenegro, Spain, Sweden, Spain activities. Thus, conservation sources/index.htm. the Netherlands, the UK, and measures are essential to From 20-23 May 2003, the the USA) attended the prevent the further deterioration “Second International Elm Conference which included 30 of elm forests. Conference” was held in oral and 35 poster Over the past 20 years, the Valsaín, Spain. The Conference presentations. A number of Spanish Ministry of presented the results of both conclusions were reached, Environment (DGCN) has been the Spanish and European such as the new elm pathogens supporting the Universidad projects and enabled the that are evolving through Politécnica de Madrid to exchange of information on hybridization among conduct research on well-established and new Ophiostoma sp. strains in “Conservation and breeding of methods of saving the central Europe and North elms against DED”. The remaining elms. Experts from America. Molecular markers objectives are to conserve the around the world presented have provided powerful insights widest possible variety of native current research on the ecology, into the ecology and evolution elms, and to obtain resistant conservation, biotechnology, of elms and their pathogens. individuals by crossings with breeding, pests and diseases of Along with adaptive traits, these Ulmus pumila, an elm species elms. The objectives and topics molecular markers have that is tolerant to the disease. discussed followed those generated useful information to Currently, 70 genotypes, mainly presented at the 1st guide management of gene U. pumila x U. minor, including International Elm Conference conservation programmes. some U. minor, have been held in Chicago in 1998, Breeding for DED resistance selected for their tolerance to O. including: building a dialogue has produced good results, and novo-ulmi inoculations. In 1997, between researchers and the efforts must continue to a five-year European Union practitioners; providing obtain higher genetic variability (EU) project (RESGEN 78) was information on elm conservation and improved resistance to bark beetles and other pests. Genetic modification provides EUFORGEN Technical Guidelines novel approaches to develop resistant elms, but before this is The second set of Technical Guidelines for genetic conservation and use was published in November 2003, routine, further research and to add to those published earlier in the year for noble hardwoods and conifers (see Issue 26 page 5). This new set of Technical Guidelines includes: testing, clear control strategies and ethical debate are needed. ¥ European white elm (Ulmus laevis) A special issue of ¥ wild apple and pear (Malus sylvestris and Pyrus pyraster) Investigación Agraria. Serie ¥oriental sweet gum (Liquidambar orientalis) Sistemas y Recursos ¥ chestnut (Castanea sativa) ¥ silver fir (Abies alba) Forestales is currently under ¥ lime (Tilia spp.) preparation and will be freely ¥black poplar (Populus nigra) available at ¥ Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) www.inia.es/gcont/publicacione The Guidelines are based on the available knowledge of the species and on widely accepted methods for s/index.jsp?intranet=0&idcatego the conservation of forest genetic resources. The objective is to provide recommendations for long-term ria=304. For further information conservation in Europe as a commonly agreed basis to be complemented and further developed in local on the Conference and national conditions. As part of the Technical Guidelines, the EUFORGEN Networks have also presentations or on any other developed distribution maps for the above-mentioned species. The maps provide updated information on aspects of elm breeding and the occurrence of the species, and thus facilitate the development and implementation of pan-European gene conservation strategies. conservation, please contact A third set of Technical Guidelines will be published in early 2004. To request copies please contact the Luis Gil ([email protected]) EUFORGEN secretariat ([email protected]) or download electronic copies (PDFs) from or Alejandro Solla www.euforgen.org, where a full list of the completed Technical Guidelines is available. The maps are also ([email protected]). available through the web site both as image files (JPEG format) and as shape files, which can be used by most Geographic Information System (GIS) software. Free GIS software (DIVA-GIS) is also available on the Web site. IPGRI14 Newsletter For Europe

External Review of IPGRI’s activities in Europe

IPGRI is the only centre of the low, medium and high-income ¥ It was also recommended -To prioritize and support Consultative Group on countries in its networks, while that IPGRI engage more national PGR International Agricultural paying particular attention to the actively in raising public inventories in the Research (CGIAR) with a less developed national awareness, especially in European crop regional mandate in Europe to programmes in the region. The western Europe, to increase germplasm search facilitate collaborative work with level of integration between overall support for PGR catalogue EURISCO European Plant Genetic agriculture and forestry, activities in Europe and (see page 4). Resources (PGR) of especially with respect to the elsewhere. importance outside of the two “flagship” networking ¥ IPGRI needs to remain region. To evaluate the impact programmes (ECP/GR and ¥Efforts to promote particularly sensitive to the of IPGRI’s activities in this EUFORGEN), was also cooperation between the process of integration of region during the past five acknowledged. Other European networks and East European countries years, and to identify priority conclusions and other regions, as well as with the EU due to the areas for future activities, the recommendations of the CCER with other Regional Groups considerable repercussions Centre Commissioned External panel include: need to be continued and of EU support to Review (CCER) of IPGRI’s increased. collaborative activities regional programme for Europe ¥ Increased attention should involving national PGR was undertaken in September be given to the balance ¥ The ECP/GR and programmes. A more in- 2003. Every programme of between PGR conservation EUFORGEN Coordinators depth assessment of the IPGRI, either regional or and use. were specifically needs and options will be thematic, is reviewed recommended to encourage continued as part of the periodically once every four ¥ The CCER called for discussion with the strategic IPGRI planning years. This provides important stronger collaboration with respective Steering exercise that commenced in feedback to IPGRI’s Board of Non Governmental Committees in the following 2003 (see Box below). Tr ustees (BOT), who then Organizations (NGOs), the areas: evaluate recommendations private sector, local -To explore possibilities In conclusion, IPGRI has given by the external reviewers communities and botanical for distributing proven to be an honest and (CCER Panel), endorse and gardens. publications with narrow trustful broker for networks, monitor their implementation. interest to specialist projects, research and scientist Outcomes of this CCER review ¥ It was also recommended groups/or with a short training throughout Europe. were on the agenda of the most that increased support be shelf-life in an electronic recent BOT meeting in Yerevan, provided to national format only, thus freeing Armenia, in September 2003. programmes on PGR policy, more resources for The CCER panel consisted particularly in East general public of Peter M.A. Tigerstedt, European countries. awareness publications; University of Helsinki, Finland Synergies between the -To prioritize indigenous and Ivana Dulic-Markovic,«« development of European forest genetic resources Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Union (EU) policies on PGR species in the case of Serbia and Montenegro, who and other countries in pan- EUFORGEN; and were also joined by Renato Europe should also be Salazar, a member of the IPGRI encouraged through the BOT.The panel visited national sharing of views between PGR programmes in the countries. Ukraine and the Russian Developing an IPGRI’s vision for the future Federation to obtain insights ¥ With publications into the current collaborative representing a significant IPGRI has recently initiated discussions both internally and with the activities and to review the outcome and investment of wide range of our partners and stakeholders, on the basis for our work in the future. The discussion on our vision and future strategy is impact of IPGRI’s work in the IPGRI’s activities in the based on a few premises: region. In addition to intensive region, the CCER interaction between the panel recommended that all ¥People are at the centre of our interest. and staff at IPGRI’s offices and documents should be ¥Agricultural biological diversity in the broadest sense, including FAO in Rome, a survey of PGR produced in simple English, forestry, fish, microbes, pollinators, is our overall context of operation. stakeholders across Europe and European countries ¥ Our Çhonest brokerÈ and networking/partnership building modus was also conducted by IPGRI should be encouraged to operandi is our preferred way of doing business. prior to the review (see Box translate publications at p.15). their own expense. Cost- The Regional Office for Europe ([email protected]) welcomes feedback and input from our readers, both looking at the “big picture” The CCER panel sharing between IPGRI and (our vision) and for determining the steps needed to get there (our highlighted the balanced and relevant countries may be strategy) in the area of Plant Genetic Resources worldwide in the distinctively pan-European justified to facilitate speed next 10-15 years. approach taken by IPGRI in the and quality of translations in region. During the past five some cases. Various groups of stakeholders and partners will be contacted with request for more specific feedback in the coming months. years, IPGRI has incorporated IPGRI Newsletter For Europe15

Update on the Global Crop Diversity Trust

The initiative to set up the Constitution of the Trust, the Global Crop Diversity Trust, Agreement to establish the initially known as the Global Tr ust as an independent Conservation Trust (see Issue international fund, and the 26 page 13), is being Relationship with the Governing undertaken by an 11-member Body of the International Treaty. Interim Panel of Eminent The Directors General of FAO Experts. The Panel was and IPGRI have been established in February 2003 requested to send these and met twice during the year. instruments to governments, The Interim Secretariat for the inviting them to sign or to Tr ust, housed at FAO in Rome accede to the Establishment from September 2003, is led by Agreement. former IPGRI Director General As of early November Geoff Hawtin. Both FAO and 2003, the Trust had received IPGRI continue to provide a US$40 million in pledges and wide range of expertise, a further US$52 million in services and support to the expressed commitments. The work of the Panel and the Trust target set for the end of 2003 initiative generally. was US$100 million. It is Consultations with a wide hoped that the Trust will be in range of stakeholders were a position to begin awarding undertaken in the period prior to funds to eligible collections in the Panel’s second meeting (2- mid-2004. The process to 4 October 2003), to gather develop principles and criteria views from developed and for identifying collections that developing countries, donors are eligible to receive funding and other partners on the most from the Trust is now also appropriate governance for the underway. For more Tr ust. At this second meeting, information visit the Panel approved the http://startwithaseed.org.

Impact of IPGRI’s work in Europe – summary of a stakeholder survey

In May 2003, a survey was conducted to receive feedback on the key elements of IPGRI’s work in Europe. The survey was sent to 1572 significant partners and stakeholders included in the mailing list of the Regional Office for Europe. Of the 35% that responded to the survey: 42% work for government research institutes; 36% for universities and genebanks; and the remainder are employed in the private sector or by Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Key conclusions of the survey include:

¥ Most respondents have received IPGRI publications in the past five years, and find them useful. The FAO/IPGRI Multi-crop Descriptors received the highest rating on the ECP/GR website, and the Technical Guidelines on the EUFORGEN website. ¥ 73.8% of the genebank employee respondents have provided data to the ECP/GR European Central Crop databases and 75.4% accessed data from these databases. For 20% of these respondents, the databases are their primary source of PGR data. ¥ About 40% of respondents are members of ECP/GR, and 20% are members of EUFORGEN. Both ECP/GR and EUFORGEN were thought to be very effective in coordinating communication among network members and organizing network activities. Both programmes rated slightly lower in effectiveness in mobilizing knowledge, skills and resources to respond to the needs of their members. ¥Over 90% of respondents rated IPGRI’s contribution to increasing the availability of PGR information to be positive, especially among forestry and agriculture professionals. However, 39% of respondents reported that IPGRI has made no contribution to increasing awareness among the general public. ¥ 35% of respondents have no knowledge of IPGRI training materials and 28% reported that IPGRI has not contributed to capacity building and training.

When asked to rate the importance of services in terms of the importance to their organization in the next five years, the majority of respondents rated the following services as essential: (i) developing strategies for PGR conservation, management and use; (ii) fund raising; (iii) providing information and data about PGR; and (iv) supporting PGR networking. Public awareness, organizing collaborative research projects and increasing contacts with researchers in other countries were also identified as critically important for those involved in PGR. A full report of this survey is available from IPGRI’s Regional Office for Europe ([email protected]) Forthcoming Meeting

REGIONAL OFFICE 11-16 May 2004 Agroforestry: Working 8–11 September 2004 FOR EUROPE Improvement and together for sustainable XVII EUCARPIA General c/o IPGRI Headquarters Silviculture of Beech land-use systems Congress Genetic variation Via dei Tre Denari 472/a IUFRO 7th Beech Orlando, Florida, USA for plant breeding 00057 Maccarese Symposium and Field Tour www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/ Tulln, Austria Rome, Italy Fax: +39-0661979661 in Iran wca [email protected] http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org/ Teheran, Iran www.eucarpia.org/eucarpia regions/europe/home.htm [email protected] or 18–22 August 2004 17 [email protected] 9th International This Newsletter is www.rifr-ac.ir/beechmeeting Symposium on Buckwheat Prague, Czech Republic produced by the 27 June – 2 July 2004 [email protected] staff of the Regional 1st World Congress on www.vurv.cz/buckwheat Office for Europe Jozef Turok Regional Director Tel: 39-066118250 Email: [email protected] Michele Bozzano Call for fellowship applications on grapevine Temporary Scientific Assistant Tel: 39-066118221 genetic resources Email: [email protected] Muriel Colas IPGRI Regional Office for Europe is pleased to announce three research fellowships for 2004 at the Centre Programme Assistant de Recherche Public Gabriel Lippmann in Luxembourg. These fellowships are offered to outstanding young Tel: 39-066118229 scientists from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, the Russian Federation and the Ukraine on a Email: [email protected] competitive basis. Selected fellows will be invited to develop a research plan for three months, with a possible extension. Aixa Del Greco Scientific Assistant The fellowships will cover the following areas: Tel: 39-066118224 Email: [email protected] (a) micropropagation, clean-up methods, virus identification, cryopreservation;

Lidwina Koop (b) research into levels and patterns of genetic variation; and Programme Assistant Tel: 39-066118251 (c) genetic identification. Email: [email protected] For more information, application deadlines and selection requirements, please visit: Jarkko Koskela www.ipgri.cgiar.org/regions/europe/home.htm EUFORGEN Coordinator Tel: 39-066118223 Email: [email protected] Brigitte Laliberté Programme Specialist Crop Genetic Resources Tel: 39-066118244 Email: [email protected] Elinor Lipman Scientific Assistant Tel: 33-467611302 Email: [email protected] Lorenzo Maggioni ECP/GR Coordinator Tel: 39-066118231 Email: [email protected] Olga Spellman* Programme Assistant Obituary Tel: 39-066118411 Email: [email protected] (*part time) We regret to announce that Mr Fabrizio Grassi, from the Istituto di Frutticoltura, Ciampino, Rome, Italy, recently passed away after a period of illness. Fabrizio worked in close Editor Helen Malherbe collaboration with IPGRI for many years. He was well-known to many ECP/GR partners, Freelance Editor & Consultant representing Italy in the ECP/GR Steering Committee meetings and was a particularly Email:[email protected] active member of the Prunus and Malus/Pyrus Working Groups and a National Inventory focal person. We wish to convey our condolences and words of encouragement and Layout consultant Marianne Sinko strength to Fabrizio’s family and friends at this difficult time. Freelance consultant