Australia will take the lead on governing a treaty that will see scientists around the world sharing their seeds.

Australia’s Mr Matthew Worrell will chair the governing body of an international agreement to share plant genetic resources, which was adopted by the United Nations in 2001.

The top spot on the inaugural Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture was given to Mr Worrell at the recent Fifth Session of the Governing Body of the Treaty held in Muscat, Oman.

Australia’s Chief Plant Protection Officer, Dr Vanessa Findlay, welcomed the opportunities the Treaty provides for agriculture in Australia.

“Access to plant genetic resources—such as seeds—is essential for the development of new crop varieties, which are the building blocks of a strong agricultural industry,” she said.

“Over 95 per cent of Australian agriculture is based on plant genetic resources from other countries. Being members to the Treaty allows our farmers and plant breeders to continue to reap the benefits of these resources and to develop crops better adapted to climate variability, pests and disease threats.

“Having our representative in the chairing role is an opportunity for Australia to facilitate the Treaty’s work to ensure countries, including Australia, can share and access these resources more easily,” Dr Findlay said.

The Treaty has formed a framework for the conservation, sustainable use and exchange of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

It encourages countries to place their seeds and information into a global pool that enables unbounded research, training and breeding of agricultural crops. As of this year there will be over 130 member countries in the treaty.

More information is available at the Plant Treaty website.