Conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources in agriculture and forestry are important elements of the international endeavours to protect biodiversity.

NordGen promotes biological diversity in agriculture and forestry in the Region and operates the internationally renowned seed store in Svalbard, which preserves seeds from all over the world.

NordGen’s work is costly, and the time has come to increase its annual budget, according to the ministers for food, forestry and agriculture.

At their meeting on 29 March, the ministers called for a DKK 2 million p.a. increase in NordGen’s budget from 2012, and proposed that the extra funding be sourced from the overall Nordic budget for fisheries, agriculture, food and forestry.

It is now up to the ministers for Nordic co-operation to decide whether the increase is appropriate.

NordGen is the result of the amalgamation of a number of different bodies. The planned budget increase will guarantee it is able to continue with its work on the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources in the Region.

This work plays an increasing role in the development of more diverse range of agricultural and food production and helps agricultural and forestry adapt to climate change.

At global level, work on genetic resources is an important element of the efforts to address the challenges posed by the increasing uncertainty of food supplies..

Mads Randbøll Wolff
Phone +45 33 96 02 56
Email mrw@norden.org

Michael Funch
Phone +45 33960332
Email mifu@norden.org