IRRI Genetic Resources Center: Distribution policy



	IRRI's policy on distributing rice germplasm

As far as possible and subject to availability, IRRI will supply small quantities of rice free of charge to any individual or organization anywhere in the world, while strictly conforming to all relevant national, international and bilateral agreements and legislation. These include phytosanitary regulations, import/export regulations, and the issuance and acceptance of appropriate Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), usually the Standard MTA.

If you wish to obtain rice germplasm from us, please read and follow our procedures for requesting germplasm. These procedures exist to ensure that rice is distributed safely, free of health and other biosafety risks, and that you do not misuse the rice you receive.

Distribution of germplasm is subject to different rules depending on the type of germplasm. Here we explain how we distribute the different types, including germplasm that is held outside the Genetic Resources Center.

(If the decision tree below is not properly displayed, try this decision tree in PDF format)

Key:

MLS germplasm = Germplasm managed under the Multilateral System of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic resources for Food and Agriculture. For rice conserved in the genebank, this includes all accessions that used to be held under the auspices of the FAO. However, non-genebank lines are being added to the MLS, so this category now includes more than just the accessions from the genebank.
INGER germplasm = Germplasm developed through the International Network for the Genetic Evaluation of Rice, the network of national rice breeding and research programmes coordinated by IRRI. One of its primary functions is to exchange germplasm of breeding lines and and improved varieties for the purposes of international research trials and breeding.
IRRI germplasm = Germplasm bred by IRRI scientists

Is the
germplasm marked
as MLS?

IRRI distributes small quantities of seed free on demand to anyone who accepts the terms and conditions of the Standard MTA

Is the
germplasm IRRI or
INGER?

IRRI does not distribute this germplasm

Does the
germplasm have known MLS ancestors?

IRRI distributes small quantities of seed free on demand as PGRFA under development to anyone who accepts the terms and conditions of the Standard MTA

IRRI distributes small quantities of seed free on demand to anyone who accepts the terms and conditions of the Standard MTA

This germplasm is not ours. We hold it in trust for the benefit of the international community by agreement with the Governing Body of the Treaty, and we conserve and distribute it as specified in the agreement

This germplasm is not ours. The owner of the germplasm has not permitted us to exchange the material. We must respect the wishes and rights of the germplasm owner.

This germplasm was developed by IRRI and/or its national partners in the INGER network. In the exercise of our discretionary rights under the Treaty, we distribute it with the SMTA as PGRFA under development.

This germplasm was developed by IRRI and/or its national partners in the INGER network. In the exercise of our discretionary rights under the Treaty, we distribute it with the SMTA.

What do we do?

Why?

Type of germplasm

Yes

No

Yes

No

Yes

No