Access

In recognising the sovereign rights of states over their plant genetic resources and their authority to determine access, article 10 establishes a multilateral (!!) system for access and benefit sharing for genetic resources of (Article 11) a number of named food and fodder crops that represent most of the species that are important for food security (see objective). That list has been negotiated and represents a compromise between states. The most notable exceptions from the list are soybean, groundnut, sugar cane and tomato.
One aspect in which the IT-PGRFA differs greatly from the CBD is that under the Treaty, access to materials shall be granted according to a facilitated procedure (Article 12), but only for the purpose of utilization and conservation for research, breeding and training for food and agriculture. Such materials will be provided without the need to track individual accessions, including any relevant information. The Multilateral System deals with materials under the control of the Contracting Parties. Materials that are "under development" (either by breeders or by farmers), and materials found in situ conditions, may be excluded from the Multilateral System.
Access is furthermore facilitated by the use of a standard material transfer agreement (SMTA), adopted by the Governing Body in June 2006 (For more information click here). This facilitated access is of great help for global initiatives such as the Generation Challenge Program as most of the crops chosen for the initial phase are listed in Annex I of the IT.