The National Programme on Conservation and Utilization of Plant, Animal and Microbial Genetic Resources Important for Food and Agriculture

The National Programme is based on the following needs: (1) – long-term conservation of a sufficiently large diversity at the gene and properties level of organisms important for nutrition, agriculture and food security; (2) – ensuring the quality service for the recipients and users of genetic resources in the area of research, breeding, education and a number of other fields. The importance of conserving genetic resources and their practical use is increasing with rapid advances in genetics and biotechnology and, in particular, with the need to quickly respond to the adverse impacts of climate change and the changing conditions of other environmental components. <br />
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The basic objective of the National Programme is to ensure the long-term conservation of the genetic resources of plants, animals, micro-organisms and small animals important for food and agriculture, in accordance with national legislation, international obligations and the needs of users of genetic resources and for the sustainable development of agriculture in the Czech Republic, for adapting to climate change and maintaining the quality of rural areas. In order to achieve the basic objective, the following goals have been set:<br />
1. To ensure the protection and long-term storage of genetic resources included in the National Programme using appropriate and up-to-date conservation methods.<br />
2. To collect historical, present and new GR important for food and agriculture that are located in the CR, including the repatriation of original Czech materials from abroad, and to rationally enlarge collections of genetic resources with new material from abroad in accordance with the needs of their users.<br />
3. To enhance the evaluation and characterization, i.e. to gain the knowledge of properties, traits and genetic diversity and to assess their use for improving the biological potential and utility value of plant varieties, species and breeds of animals and strains of microorganisms.<br />
4. To keep clear records and documentation of the genetic resources conserved and provided, including the international exchange of information.<br />
5. To guarantee the availability of stored genetic resources for users and provide both the genetic resource and relevant information to domestic and foreign users in accordance with national and European legal requirements and other international obligations.<br />
6. To create the conditions for the efficient and sustainable use of genetic resources in line with the needs of agricultural practice, commodity processors and consumers and to support the environmental functions of agriculture and adaptation to climate change.<br />
7. To guarantee the international commitments of the Czech Republic in this area and participate globally in protection of genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits resulting from their use.