Australian Grains Genebank Distribution Policy
The Australian Grains Genebank (AGG) is a bio-digital resource centre that is custodian to one of the largest collections of grain crop species globally including cultivated, landrace, progenitor, and wild relative species. The AGG manages its germplasm as a public good and is dedicated to the widespread facilitated use to achieve the maximum possible access, scale, and scope of impact for the development of more resilient and productive grain crop varieties.
AGG germplasm and related information is distributed for the purposes of research, breeding, genetic resource conservation and training for food and agriculture. Transfer for both Annex 1 and non-Annex 1 species are by legal obligation with FAO and the Governing Body of the International Treaty of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
(ITPGRFA http://www.planttreaty.org/content/texts-treaty-officialversions) under the terms of the Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA) in accordance with the Multilateral System (MLS https://www.fao.org/plant-treaty/areas-of-work/the-multilateral-system/overview/en/) of the ITPGRFA.
Non ITPGRFA germplasm is available for use under alternative Material Transfer Agreements implemented by donor organisations. The AGG curator will, in accordance with current AGG policies and procedures, determine the legitimacy of a request when necessary.
The Australian Grains Genebank (AGG) distributes germplasm in accordance with stringent regulations including relevant phytosanitary/quarantine laws, access and benefit sharing regulations of the ITPGRFA, CBD or depositor organisation, and/or other relevant laws.
The AGG requires users of germplasm transferred under SMTA to return a subset of data and information collected during evaluation and use to prescribed standards (subject to any Intellectual Property agreements of the users). This enables AGG to continually improve the value of the germplasm data, and to meet compliance on return of data to source genebanks under terms and conditions of the SMTA. Guidelines for return of data are available by contacting the AGG.
Accessions listed in the GRIN-Global database as “not available” due to insufficient or low viability seed and/or scheduled for regeneration will generally not be available for distribution.
AGG will not distribute germplasm internationally when they cannot comply with the importation or quarantine requirements of the recipient country. Costs associated with the provision of any required phytosanitary certificate and shipping may be charged to the recipient.
The AGG makes no warranties, express or implied, regarding the quality, viability, or purity (genetic or mechanical), safety of and/or use of AGG held germplasm including any warranty of merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose, including without limitation, production, breeding, crossing, testing, commercialisation, or non-infringement of third-party intellectual property.