Conservation, sustainable use and development of genetic resources in agriculture and in forestry
Article 45
1. Member States which include, in their CAP Strategic Plans, interventions related to the conservation, sustainable use and development of genetic resources in agriculture and in forestry as referred to in Article 70 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 may provide support only as: (a) agri-environment-climate commitments for preserving on farm endangered breeds and plant varieties under threat of genetic erosion; or (b) support for activities regarding the conservation, the sustainable use and development of genetic resources in agriculture and in forestry. Activities covered by the type of agri-environment-climate commitments referred to in the first subparagraph, point (a), shall not be eligible for support pursuant to that subparagraph, point (b). 2. Member States shall ensure that agri-environment-climate commitments for preserving on farm endangered breeds and plant varieties under threat of genetic erosion, referred to in paragraph 1, first subparagraph, point (a), shall require: (a) to rear farm animals of local breeds, recognised by a Member State to be endangered, genetically adapted to one or more traditional production systems or environments in that Member State, where the endangered status is scientifically established by a body possessing the necessary skills and knowledge in the area of endangered breeds, as defined in Article 2, point (24), of Regulation (EU) 2016/1012 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 14 ) ; or (b) to preserve plant genetic resources naturally adapted to the local and regional conditions and under threat of genetic erosion. 3. The following species of farm animals of local breeds referred to in paragraph 2, point (a), may be eligible for support: (a) cattle; (b) sheep; (c) goats; (d) equidae ( Equus caballus and Equus asinus ); (e) pigs; (f) birds; (g) rabbits; (h) bees. 4. Member States shall only consider as eligible for support local breeds referred to in paragraph 2, point (a), if the following requirements are complied with: (a) the number, at national level, of breeding females concerned is stated; (b) a duly recognised relevant breed society registers and keeps up-to-date the herd or flockbreeding book for the breed. 5. Member States shall consider plant genetic resources referred to in paragraph 2, point (b), as being under threat of genetic erosion on condition that sufficient evidence of genetic erosion, based upon scientific results or indicators for the reduction of landraces or primitive local varieties, their population diversity and, where relevant, for modifications in the prevailing agricultural practices at local level, is provided. 6. Member States shall ensure that operations for the conservation, the sustainable use and development of genetic resources in agriculture and in forestry, referred to in paragraph 1, first subparagraph, point (b), include the following: (a) targeted actions promoting in situ and ex situ conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of genetic resources in agriculture and forestry, including web-based inventories of genetic resources currently conserved in situ , including on-farm or on-forest holding conservation, and ex situ collections and databases; (b) concerted actions promoting the exchange of information for the conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of genetic resources in Union agriculture or forestry among competent Member State organisations; (c) accompanying action: information, dissemination, advice, training, and technical report preparation, involving non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders. 7. For the purposes of paragraph 1, first subparagraph, point (b), the following definitions shall apply: (a) ‘ in situ conservation’ in agriculture means the conservation of genetic material in ecosystems and natural habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable population of species or feral breeds in their natural surroundings and, in the case of domesticated animal breeds or cultivated plant species, in the farmed environment where they have developed their distinctive properties; (b) ‘ in situ conservation’ in forestry means the conservation of genetic material in ecosystems and natural habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable population of species in their natural surroundings; (c) ‘on-farm or on-forest holding conservation’ means in situ conservation and development at farm or forest holding level; (d) ‘ ex situ conservation’ means the conservation of genetic material for agriculture or forestry outside their natural habitat; (e) ‘ex situ collection’ means a collection of genetic material for agriculture or forestry maintained outside their natural habitat.