Governing agrobiodiversity: the emerging tragedy of the anti-commons in the South
2006
R. Andersen
Plant genetic diversity is crucial to the breeding of food crops, and thus one of the central preconditions for food security. Access to diverse genetic resources is fundamental to modern plant breeding as well as for traditional small-scale farming. Recently a range of international regimes have been negotiated which decisively affect the management of these resources.Intellectual property rights and access regulation is being introduced in an increasing number of countries in the South. This is creating a situation of exclusion for some from utilising these vital resources. The author describes such a situation as a "tragedy of the anti-commons". This paper seeks to identify the driving forces behind this development, its dynamics and effects for food security in the South. It finds that the international agreements on agrobiodiversity generally have restricted access to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, despite explicit intentions or implicit expectations to the contrary.The author concludes that the explanation is to be found in their interaction: the trade-off between the demands for intellectual property rights and demands for fair and equitable benefit sharing has resulted in a lose–lose situation for all. The paper recommends that open discussion of this controversial issue might uncover viable approaches for dealing with the problem, and to introduce better systems for access to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture – in balance with the demands for fair and equitable benefit sharing. [adapted from author]
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