CacaoNet Exploratory Consultation on Cacao Genetic Resources: legal and policy aspects of germplasm exchange (access and benefit sharing). 31 March and 1 April 2015

There are 2 international cacao collections, one maintained at CATIE in Costa Rica and the other at the Cocoa Research Centre (CRC) in Trinidad and Tobago. The materials in the collections have been included under Article 15 of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) through a formal agreement signed in 2006 for CATIE and 2009 for CRC. The germplasm is distributed with an accompanying Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA) (template from of the ITPGRFA. The SMTA includes an Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) agreement for the distribution and receipt of germplasm. In addition to the 2 collections maintained at CATIE and CRC, the International Cocoa Quarantine Centre, Reading (ICQCR), UK ensures the safe movement of cacao germplasm between countries and regions. The materials maintained at the ICQCR mainly come from the 2 international collections but they also can manage materials provided to them by a national programme. The rest of cacao genetic diversity is maintained in national collections and farmers’ fields and in the wild, and is therefore outside the scope of the ITPGRFA because cacao is not an Annex 1 crop, which by definition is within the scope of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Nagoya Protocol and bilateral agreements. The FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA), including plants, animal, microbial and forests, is the overarching inter-governmental body discussing all aspects of genetic resources for food and agriculture. The work of Bioversity International over the years in this area can provide guidance. It was therefore suggested that CacaoNet and Bioversity organise an exploratory consultation on cacao genetic resources access and benefit sharing policies and agreements, which took place in Rome 31 March and 1 April 2015

A global strategy for the conservation and use of cacao genetic resources, as the foundation for a sustainable cocoa economy

The Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Cacao Genetic Resources, developed by the Global Network for Cacao Genetic Resources (CacaoNet). The strategy is the result of a consultation process that drew upon the global cocoa community’s expertise in all aspects of cacao genetic resources. The vision of the Global Strategy is to improve the livelihoods of the 5-6 million farmers in developing countries across tropical Africa, Asia and Latin America and the 40-50 million people who depend upon cocoa for their livelihoods. The specific goal is to optimize the conservation and maximize the use of cacao genetic resources as the foundation of a sustainable cocoa economy by bringing together national and international players in public and private sectors who will work towards the establishment of an endowment fund for the conservation and use of the most valuable resources in perpetuity. There are 2 versions of the Global Strategy for Cacao Genetic Resources Conservation and Use: 1) Full document – 176 pages 2) Summary booklet – 25 page

Technical guidelines for the safe movement of cacao germplasm

These guidelines describe technical procedures that minimize the risk of pest introductions with movement of cacao germplasm for research, crop improvement, plant breeding, exploration or conservation. The recommendations made in these guidelines are intended for small, specialized consignments used in research programmes, e.g. for collection, conservation and utilization for breeding of plant genetic resources. These guidelines are not meant for trade and commercial consignments concerning export and import of germplasm or cocoa beans. The conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources and their global distribution are essential components of research activities underpinning improvement programmes. Inevitably, the movement of germplasm involves a risk of accidentally introducing pests along with the host plant. To minimize such risks, preventive measures and effective testing procedures are required to ensure that distributed material is free of pests of potential phytosanitary importance. The international, and inter-regional, movement of germplasm for research, conservation and breeding requires complete and up to date information concerning the phytosanitary status of the plant germplasm. Relevant and current national regulatory information governing the export and importation of plant germplasm in countries is essential. This revision has been produced by the Safe Movement Working Group of CacaoNet. These reflect the consensus and knowledge of the specialists who have contributed to this revision but the information provided needs to be regularly updated. These CacaoNet Guidelines were first published on-line in 2012 but have been revised in 2014 and in 2017 to take account of new information received

Technical guidelines for the safe movement of cacao germplasm. Revised from the FAO/IPGRI Technical guidelines No. 20 (Fourth Update 2021).

The CacaoNet Technical Guidelines for the Safe Movement of Cacao Germplasm provide updated information on the precautions and quarantine measures that can be taken to minimise the risk of spread of pests and diseases when cacao genetic resources are being moved for research, crop improvement, plant breeding, exploration or conservation. These Guidelines are based on those last published by FAO/IPGRI in 1999 but have been revised and expanded by a group of experts set up within CacaoNet (the Global Cacao Genetic Resources Network coordinated by Bioversity International), to take account of new knowledge of the pests and diseases, including their current distribution, and advances in detection techniques. These CacaoNet Guidelines were first published on-line in 2012 but have been revised in 2014, in 2017 and now in 2021 to take account of new information received. The document includes general advice regarding safe procedures to use when moving cacao germplasm, whether as seed, vegetative and tissue cultured materials, and summarised information on the geographical spread and risks posed by significant pests and diseases of cacao. In addition, experts have contributed sections giving detailed information on the following: Virus diseases (Cacao necrosis virus, Cacao swollen shoot virus (CSSV), Cacao Yellow mosaic virus), Fungal diseases (Witches’ broom disease, Moniliophthora pod rot, Phytophthora pod rot, Vascular streak die-back, Verticillium wilt, Ceratocystis wilt, Rosellinia root rot), Insect pests (Cocoa pod borer, mirids/capsids, mosquito bug, other insect pests) and nematodes. Each section contains information on physical symptoms, geographical distribution, biology of the pest or disease and recommended quarantine measures. The publication of these Guidelines has been supported by financial and in-kind contributions from Bioversity International, the CGIAR Research Programme on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry, the Cocoa Research Association Ltd., UK (CRA Ltd., a UK-based organization managing scientific cocoa research on behalf of Mars Mondelēz International and the London Cocoa Trade NYSE-Liffe) and the University of Reading. CacaoNet has received additional financial support from Mars, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA/ARS) and the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF)

A global strategy for the conservation and use of cacao genetic resources, as the foundation for a sustainable cocoa economy [Summary booklet]

This document is an abbreviated version of the Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Cacao Genetic Resources, developed by the Global Network for Cacao Genetic Resources (CacaoNet). The strategy is the result of a consultation process that drew upon the global cocoa community’s expertise in all aspects of cacao genetic resources. The vision of the Global Strategy is to improve the livelihoods of the 5-6 million farmers in developing countries across tropical Africa, Asia and Latin America and the 40-50 million people who depend upon cocoa for their livelihoods. The specific goal is to optimize the conservation and maximize the use of cacao genetic resources as the foundation of a sustainable cocoa economy by bringing together national and international players in public and private sectors who will work towards the establishment of an endowment fund for the conservation and use of the most valuable resources in perpetuity. There are 2 versions of the Global Strategy for Cacao Genetic Resources Conservation and Use: 1) Full document – 176 pages 2) Summary Booklet – 25 page