Role of the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s National Genetic Resources Advisory Council (NGRAC) in Providing Strategic Recommendations for Strengthening National Genetic Resources Conservation and Use

Authors: KRISHNAN, SARADA - Denver Botanic Gardens; MISRA, MANJIT - Iowa State University; Esch, Michele; Bretting, Peter

Submitted to: International Horticultural Congress
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/16/2018
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Originally established in 1990 by the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act via the U.S. Farm Bill, the National Genetic Resources Advisory Council (NGRAC) is an advisory body to the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Secretary of Agriculture and the Director of the National Genetic Resources Program (NGRP) on the activities, policies, and operation of the NGRP. The main activities of the NGRAC include: provide advice on acquisition, preservation, access, distribution and exchange of genetic resources of life forms important to American agriculture such as plants, forest species, animals, aquatic species, insects, and microbes; make recommendations to ensure that these essential resources are adequately conserved and appropriately accessible in order to address current and future agricultural needs; provide advice on research needs for genetic resources and for coordination of genetic resource plans of several domestic and international organizations; and provide advice on new and innovative approaches to genetic resources conservation. Details of activities undertaken by the NGRAC and their impact on the U.S. National Genetic Resources Program will be discussed.