CGIAR germplasm health units apply a systems approach to germplasm seed health protection for conservation and safe international distribution

Germplasm seed exchange from CGIAR genebanks and breeding is important to global
agricultural research and development programs. Seed as a pathway for pest spread is an
inherent risk for international seed exchanges. Phytosanitary controls have been established
in accordance with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) to protect global
plant health from transboundary pest invasion. This presentation summarizes pest risks to
international germplasm distribution; CGIAR Germplasm Health Units (GHUs) procedures to
ensure the production and distribution of pest-free germplasm; bottlenecks to germplasm
distribution, including the inadequacy of phytosanitary regulations guided by the International
Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) of IPPC; and consequences of delayed
germplasm access on crop improvement programs. It also presents the ‘CGIAR Greenpass
Phytosanitary Protocol (CGPP)’ concept as a comprehensive phytosanitary compliance
assurance procedure. Based on a systems approach of pest risk identification and pest risk
mitigation in the germplasm seed production pipeline and the rigorous implementation of
phytosanitary controls in collaboration with national plant protection organizations, the CGPP
is expected to fast-track pest-free germplasm distribution to the global community.