SETTING UP A NETWORK FOR MANAGEMENT OF SM ALL-GRAIN GENETIC-RESOURCES

In France, small grain genetic resources are managed by a cooperative network which associates public and private partners, the curators, an d a coordination unit. This network is controlled by a steering commit tee. The partners, their roles and the working of the network are defi ned in a charter with internal regulations. Funding is supported by th e Ministry of Agriculture, the ONIC and the BRG, under a 3-year agreem ent; INRA and SPSS fund the programme indirectly and GEVES manages the finances and employs the coordinator. The aim of this network is to e nsure the safeguard and the exploitation of a national small grain col lection; the partners define the introduction criteria according to th eir own objectives, European recommendations and current knowledge abo ut diversity.