Ongoing Efforts in the Conservation of Perennial Genetic Resources at the European Level
In autumn 2024, the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (EU CAP) Network established a working group “Local Perennial Genetic Resources in the Context of Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss.” This year, the group convened at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute (MAICh) in Chania, Crete.
During the working group meetings, experts from various countries developed six thematic mini-publications addressing different aspects of conserving the genetic resources of perennial crops. Dr. Gunārs Lācis, a leading researcher and Head of the Department of Genetics and Breeding at the Institute of Horticulture, actively contributed to the preparation of two of these publications:
- Conservation of Local Perennial Plant Genetic Resources On-Farm and In Situ – focusing on conservation approaches within farms and natural habitats.
- Participatory Breeding Approaches for Perennial Crops – this document also highlights the Institute of Horticulture’s experience in evaluating breeding material on local farms.
This working group and its outputs represent a significant step toward sustainable agriculture and the preservation of biodiversity, particularly in the face of climate change-related challenges.