Policy & Leadership Development Conference 2019

Sessions Speakers Exhibitors Floor Plan Buzz

The IPR Committee Presents: IPR and Ag Research: A Visit to the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation (Room Meet in the Hilton Main Lobby at 10:45 a.m. for departure)

This tour takes you to the National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation in Ft. Collins, Colorado, including a box lunch on the 90 minute ride to the facility. There, this experience offers participants a first-hand look at the importance of variety protection and storage of some of the world's most precious resources. The National Laboratory for Genetic Resources Preservation maintains NPGS's entire collection of genetic resources. This centralized collection provides efficiency for managing the > 10,000 plant species within NPGS as well as greater security for the collections that are currently maintained only in fields, orchards or nature reserves. The program also provides long-term back-up storage for microbial, clonal and animal collections. Following a tour of the seed vault and seed quality bay facilities, participants will self-select one of two educational programs. First, an introductory program will offer an overview of the center's facilities and programs, for leadership development registrants. Concurrently, the IPR Committee will discuss the proposed rulemaking to incorporate asexually produced plant varieties into the Plant Variety Protection Act, UPOV activities, the latest on the International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources’ Standard Material Transfer Agreement negotiations, and the importance of the National Lab to maintaining and distributing germplasm within the SMTA.