In situ conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture: A UK Perspective

The value of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) is discussed and the contribution of the UK’s agrienvironmental schemes to the conservation of these genetic resources reviewed. It is concluded that the UK’s agri-environmental conservation schemes do not prioritise the conservation of genetic diversity of wild relatives of agricultural crops. Surveys of the distribution of genetic variation are required so that PGRFA can be safeguarded by incremental amendments to existing conservation schemes, by adopting new schemes and by altering the contract between the conservation body and farmers to allow farmers to contract as groups rather than individuals.