New Zealand needs for introduced plant genetic resources: implications of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

New Zealand agricultural food, fibre and forestry sectors are virtually entirely dependent on exotic species, i.e., the indigenous genetic resources of other countries. Although New Zealand has genebanks containing some of the genetic resources used or tested in the past, the holdings, with few exceptions, represent only a small proportion of the available and potentially useful genetic material. If New Zealand is to retain and improve its competitive position in these sectors, an active programme of genetic resource acquisition and maintenance must be carried out. Under the Convention on Biological Diversity, several relatively new concepts will come into law, including, (I) the sovereignty of genetic resources, (2) the authority of governments to determine access to genetic resources, (3) the power to grant access only on mutually agreed terms, (4) the opportunity for a country of origin to be involved in research and have access to technology developed in another country using its genetic resources. This paper looks at some of the issues for New Zealand, including future access to exotic genetic resources in the new legal environment. It also warns of the need for care in formulating national policies to avoid inappropriate restrictions of access to New Zealand's plant genetic resources. Additional key words: Plant genetic resources, genebanks, biotechnology