Biological resources are the key to human survival and prosperity.  A question that is gaining more and more attention these days is, " who owns these plant and animal resources"? Further, who is going to feed the world population that could increase by double or more by 2100?  Here are some links that can help you formulate your own opinion on these subjects.  Many of the leads on information resources come from the AusAID-funded Taro Genetic Resources Project managed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community. Our thanks to Dr. Mary Taylor for her help.

Consultative Group on International Agriculture Research
"CGIAR's mission is to contribute to food security and poverty eradication in developing countries through research, partnership, capacity building, and policy support. The CGIAR promotes sustainable agricultural development based on the environmentally sound management of natural resources." 

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
CBD's mission is "...the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources." They act as a clearinghouse for information on resource issues.

International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV)
"The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) is an intergovernmental organization with headquarters in Geneva (Switzerland). It is based on the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, as revised since its signature in Paris on December 2, 1961. The objective of the Convention is the protection of new varieties of plants by an intellectual property right."

New Zealand's Plant Variety Rights Office
Some good advice, forms and ideas.

US Department of Agriculture's Plant Variety Protection Office
"Administers the Plant Variety Protection Act, by issuing Certificates of Protection in a timely manner."

World Intellectual Property Organization
"It is one of the 16 specialized agencies of the United Nations system of organizations. WIPO is responsible for the promotion of the protection of intellectual property throughout the world through cooperation among States, and for the administration of various multilateral treaties dealing with the legal and administrative aspects of intellectual property."

World Trade Organization (WTO)
This international body administers trade agreements and works to settle trade disputes and provides technical assistance to nations. It has done work on intellectual property rights. Key features of property rights programs include: