Report on the Round table for participants of the N.I. Vavilov young scientist`s school

    March 13, 2012 a Round table «Discussing the Federal draft law: On plant genetic resources and introducing amendments into some legislative acts of the Russian Federation» was held at the N.I. Vavilov Research Institute of Plant Industry in the framework of training courses organized by the All-Russian young scientist`s school.

    The Round table was attended by leading VIR`s scientists and researchers, collection curators, as well as school attendees.

    Sergey Alexanian, Vice-Director of VIR, senior doctor of biological science and one of the developers of the draft law dwelled on the topic. He informed participants of the Round table that the draft law is aimed at conservation of plant genetic resources for today`s and future generations with the purpose of their comprehensive study, stable use in agriculture as well as meeting demands for plant material in scientific and breeding activities.

    Attendees agreed that the key role in solving strategy problems related to genetic resources of the country can and should be played by the National Genebank which spheres of influence in the globalized world extend beyond the scope of the National genepool exsitu conservation. Thus such a genebank owning a special status of the National Centre for plant genetic resources is not only responsible for the long-term conservation of the National heritage, but also for compliance with National interests in the field of supervision of legal action with genetic resources.

    Participants of the Round table stressed need and timeliness of the draft law and expressed their confidence in its easy adoption.