What is CIP’s role with regard to the conservation and use of germplasm?
CIP is responsible for conserving genetic material of its mandate crops (potato, sweetpotato and other Andean roots and tubers). This material is held “in trust” for future generations under an agreement with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (see background), and in short-term holdings. CIP can distribute this germplasm freely anywhere in the world, in compliance with national and international regulations, as long as the recipient agrees not to obtain intellectual property rights, in any form, for any of the material it receives.
