The person in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs interprets the Opinions of the General Office of the State Council on Strengthening the Protection and Utilization of Agricultural

Open a new chapter in the protection and utilization of agricultural germplasm resources
-The person in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs interprets the Opinions of the General Office of the State Council on Strengthening the Protection and Utilization of Agricultural Germplasm Resources.

On February 11th, the Opinions of the General Office of the State Council on Strengthening the Protection and Utilization of Agricultural Germplasm Resources (hereinafter referred to as "Opinions") was officially issued. The person in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs was interviewed by the reporter and interpreted the background significance, new requirements and how to implement the Opinions.

Q: What role has agricultural germplasm resources played in ensuring food security, supplying agricultural products and promoting social and economic development? What is the current situation of protection and utilization of agricultural germplasm resources in China?

A:Agricultural germplasm resources such as crops, livestock and poultry, aquatic products and agricultural microorganisms are the basis of new variety breeding, the carrier of genetic information from the previous generation to the next generation, and one of the indispensable and important resources for human survival. China’s agriculture has a long history and is rich in germplasm resources, which are the most important agricultural heritage in China and even in the world. Since the founding of New China, agricultural germplasm resources have been effectively developed and utilized, agricultural varieties have been constantly introduced, agricultural science and technology have been continuously improved, and grain yield has hit record highs. The role of agricultural germplasm resources is mainly reflected in three aspects: first, the basic role of ensuring national food security. China’s grain yield increased by 4.6 times compared with 1949, and the output of livestock, poultry and aquatic products ranked first in the world for a long time, mainly due to the continuous upgrading of varieties. The successful cultivation and popularization of breakthrough varieties all came from the excavation and utilization of excellent germplasm resources. The second is the source function of agricultural science and technology innovation. Throughout the history of agriculture at home and abroad, every breakthrough of green revolution stems from the exploration and utilization of germplasm resources. China’s Meishan pig and other local breeds have made great contributions to the overall improvement of global pig reproductive performance, and the excavation and utilization of Wenchang chicken, Qingyuan Ma chicken and other local breeds have given birth to China’s unique yellow-feather broiler industry. At present, the contribution rate of improved varieties in China’s agricultural production increase is over 45%. The third is to inherit the carrier role of Chinese farming civilization. The development history of human society is also a history of inheritance of farming civilization. The Chinese nation has discovered, domesticated and cultivated a large number of agricultural germplasm resources, which are alive, alive and sustainable.It has played an irreplaceable role in inheriting Chinese farming civilization and promoting the development of human society.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the protection and utilization of agricultural germplasm resources in China has achieved positive results. First, the total resources continue to increase. China’s long-term preservation of more than 510,000 crop resources, more than 560 local species of livestock and poultry, nearly 20,000 aquatic germplasm resources and more than 230,000 microbial resources ranks among the top in the world. In 2015, the country launched the third national survey and collection of agricultural germplasm resources, and collected more than 52,000 new resources. The second is the initial construction of the protection system. Gradually established a long-term bank, medium-term bank, seed conservation field, protected area and gene bank, and a national and provincial agricultural germplasm resources protection system; The construction of a new national crop germplasm bank was fully launched. Third, the development and utilization have achieved remarkable results. Through the appraisal, exploration and creation of germplasm resources, a large number of breakthrough new varieties have been cultivated and popularized. In China, independent varieties of crops account for more than 95%, and the rate of core species of livestock and poultry is more than 70%. Aquatic and agricultural microbial products are mainly independent varieties and resources. A number of ancient local varieties such as Tianjin Xiaozhan Rice and Zhejiang Jinhua Pig have played an important role in promoting the development of regional characteristic industries, building characteristic brands and helping rural revitalization. According to incomplete statistics, in the past five years, through the identification, evaluation and utilization of agricultural germplasm resources, more than 12 national science and technology awards have been supported, and the annual economic benefits have increased by more than 20 billion yuan.

Although China is a big country in germplasm resources, it is not a strong country in germplasm resources. In recent years, the challenges faced by China’s agricultural germplasm resources are becoming more and more severe, and the urgency of strengthening protection and utilization is becoming more and more intense. First, the risk of resource disappearance has intensified. The species and quantity of agricultural germplasm resources under natural ecology have decreased significantly, the speed of disappearance of wild relatives of crops in convenient transportation areas has accelerated, and the number of some local breeds of livestock and poultry and wild aquatic biological resources in coastal waters and river basins has shown a downward trend, which is in urgent need of rescue protection. Second, insufficient development and utilization. Less than 10% of agricultural germplasm resources have been accurately identified by phenotype and genotype, and most of them have not been developed and utilized, and most of them have remained in the primary stage, and resource advantages have not been effectively transformed into industrial advantages. Third, the protection system and supporting policies are not perfect. The national overall planning and graded responsibility protection system has not yet been established, the cost of resource protection continues to increase, and the motivation of protection subjects is insufficient; The treatment of scientific and technical personnel in germplasm resources protection is low, the promotion of professional titles is difficult, the loss is serious and the team is unstable.

Q: In recent years, China has issued some documents on the development of modern seed industry. Compared with previous documents, what are the new requirements in the Opinions?

A:In recent years, the State Council has issued a series of policy documents to support the development of modern seed industry, which has effectively strengthened the status of seed industry as a national basic and strategic core industry. The Opinions is the first important document focusing on the protection and utilization of agricultural germplasm resources since the founding of New China, which has opened a new chapter in the protection and utilization of agricultural germplasm resources. It should be said that it is a historic and programmatic document that manages both the present and the long-term, and has a milestone significance.

First, the "four firsts" have been achieved. First, the basic, public welfare, strategic and long-term orientation of agricultural germplasm resources protection was defined for the first time. Second, the basic principles of protection and utilization of agricultural germplasm resources with protection priority, government-led, diversified participation and efficient utilization were defined for the first time. Third, for the first time, the main body of responsibility was defined, namely, the management responsibility of the competent department, the territorial responsibility of the municipal and county governments and the main responsibility of the agricultural germplasm resources protection unit. Fourth, it is clear for the first time that agricultural germplasm resources should be managed at the national and provincial levels, and a national overall planning, graded responsibility and organic connection protection mechanism should be established.

Second, the "four core tasks" have been established. First, by carrying out systematic collection and protection, we can realize all the insurance that should be guaranteed. The second is to strengthen the identification and evaluation by building a platform for identification and evaluation of germplasm resources and gene mining, and establishing an identification and evaluation system. The third is to improve the protection system by innovating the protection mechanism, determining the protection units, registering agricultural germplasm resources, and building a unified national big data platform for agricultural germplasm resources. The fourth is to promote diversified development and utilization by implementing the creation and application of excellent germplasm resources and establishing a national trading platform for sharing and utilization of agricultural germplasm resources.

Third, the "four policies with high gold content" were introduced. In the aspect of talent team construction, it is proposed that the performance salary of scientific and technological personnel for germplasm resources protection should be appropriately tilted, and indirect funds can be extracted from projects allowed by the policy; Peer evaluation of scientific and technical personnel for germplasm resources protection, and basic work such as collection, protection, appraisal and evaluation can be used as the basis for professional title evaluation; In terms of land use management, local governments are required to reasonably arrange the land for germplasm resource banks (nurseries, farms and districts), and are not allowed to delimit prohibited areas without authorization or beyond the scope. In terms of financial security, it is stipulated that the relevant departments of the central and local governments can co-ordinate support for resource protection through existing funding channels; Support should also be increased for modern seed industry upgrading projects, national key research and development plans, and major national science and technology projects. In terms of incentive mechanism, units and individuals who have made outstanding contributions are clearly commended and rewarded.

Fourth, it puts forward "four aspects of higher standard requirements". The "Opinions" stipulate that the protection and utilization of agricultural germplasm resources should be included in the relevant government work assessment; Audit institutions shall supervise the implementation of policies through auditing according to law; If serious consequences such as resource loss and extinction are caused, the relevant units and personnel shall be investigated for responsibility according to laws and regulations; The relevant units supported by public finance should implement the mechanism of the achievements and information exchange of germplasm resources research projects under the supervision of the agricultural germplasm resources management department.

Q: At present, the protection of germplasm resources mainly depends on governments at all levels, relevant departments and scientific research institutions. How can we mobilize all social forces and let more farmers and social organizations participate in resource protection?

A:The protection of agricultural germplasm resources is a systematic project, involving many departments and subjects, which requires the extensive participation and support of the whole society. Many ancient local varieties and characteristic resources are protected and continued in the front and back of people’s houses, fields and deep forests. Some local species are as endangered and rare as giant pandas. It is necessary to involve more farmers and social organizations in resource protection. Next, we will do a good job in four aspects.

The first is to raise public awareness. Vigorously carry out popular science propaganda and science education, make full use of the internet, newspapers, television, radio and other media, and carry out video exhibitions and lectures and other activities through a series of scientific and educational films, newspapers, magazines and popular science books, so as to guide social groups and grassroots people to care, support and participate in this work.

The second is to encourage public participation. In the process of general survey and collection of agricultural germplasm resources, we should simultaneously carry out the investigation, collection, collation and protection of relevant traditional knowledge, encourage enterprises and social organizations to undertake the task of protecting agricultural germplasm resources, encourage and support individuals, social organizations and enterprises to register their preserved agricultural germplasm resources, and issue appraisal certificates to the resources that have not been collected and preserved in national resource banks (fields, districts and nurseries), thus forming a good atmosphere for resource protection. At the same time, accelerate the establishment of an commendation and reward mechanism for the protection of agricultural germplasm resources, commend and reward units and individuals who have made outstanding contributions, and stimulate the enthusiasm and initiative to participate in resource protection.

The third is to improve the market mechanism. Accelerate the construction of a national trading platform for the sharing and utilization of agricultural germplasm resources, support the listing and public trading of innovative germplasm, invest in enterprises at a fixed price, support the competitive auction of breeding animals and other activities, improve the interest linkage mechanism and market-oriented operation mechanism of the organic connection of resource registration, exchange and sharing, and industrial development, realize the promotion of protection by use, and increase the sense of gain in participating in resource protection and utilization.

The fourth is to tap the resource culture. Around the major national strategies such as rural revitalization, we will explore a new model of public participation in the protection and utilization of agricultural germplasm resources. Encourage agricultural germplasm resources with typical national traditional cultural characteristics, apply for trademark, geographical indication product protection and important agricultural cultural heritage according to law, and realize better protection of agricultural germplasm resources in sustainable utilization.

Q: The Opinions put forward that the registration of agricultural germplasm resources should be organized. What is the consideration? How to carry out this work in the future?

A:At present, there are still a large number of agricultural germplasm resources scattered in the hands of enterprises, scientific research institutes, universities, social organizations and individuals in China. Due to the lack of a unified national germplasm resources registration and identity information management system, many problems have been brought. First, the resources are unclear. It is unclear who has what resources and how much the total amount is. Second, the conservation and utilization efficiency of germplasm resources is not high. Some resources are repeatedly preserved, communication is not smooth, and human, material and financial resources are wasted. Some excellent germplasm are "hidden in the boudoir" and cannot be effectively protected and fully shared. Third, the information of newly created excellent germplasm is unknown. It can not effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of creators, which is not conducive to stimulating the driving force of germplasm resources innovation. In the future, we will focus on four aspects to promote this work.

The first is to formulate a registration implementation plan. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs will, on the basis of in-depth investigation and extensive solicitation of opinions, formulate a unified national implementation plan for the registration of agricultural germplasm resources, and clarify the registration subject, registration scope, registration content, registration process, main measures and supervision and management. According to the requirements of the implementation plan, the national and provincial agricultural and rural competent departments scientifically determine the agricultural germplasm resources protection units in different levels. The registration of agricultural germplasm resources is given priority from the designated protected units, and then gradually extended to scientific research institutes, universities, enterprises, social organizations and individuals.

The second is to compile registration standards and norms. Organize the compilation of general rules for registration standards of agricultural germplasm resources, and compile technical specifications for registration by species according to the characteristics of different types of resources such as crops, livestock and poultry, aquatic products and agricultural microbial germplasm resources, so as to ensure the scientificity and standardization of registration.

The third is to build a registration information system. Research and development of agricultural germplasm resources registration information system, build a national unified big data platform for agricultural germplasm resources, and realize digitalization and informationization of functions such as registration of registered users, registration and reporting of resource identity information, query and statistical analysis of resource identity information, and release and sharing of registered resources.

The fourth is to encourage innovation and sharing. We support enterprises, scientific research institutes and other social organizations to register their preserved agricultural germplasm resources, and carry out conditional sharing and services, and encourage agricultural germplasm resources protection units to carry out resource innovation and technical services. The state will establish a trading platform for sharing and utilization of agricultural germplasm resources, and support innovative germplasm to be listed and publicly traded, priced to enterprises to invest in shares, and stimulate the vitality of germplasm resources protection and innovation through measures such as improving the protection mechanism of innovative germplasm rights and the traceability mechanism of identity information, strengthening rights protection and infringement supervision.

Q: What specific measures will the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs take to promote the implementation of the Opinions?

A:The first is full deployment. According to the unified deployment of the work, we will hold a video conference in due course to study and implement the spirit of the Opinions and deploy and strengthen the protection and utilization of agricultural germplasm resources. At the same time, on the basis of the Inter-Ministerial Coordination Group for the Development of Modern Seed Industry, we will strengthen inter-departmental coordination, clarify the division of responsibilities of relevant departments in various places, formulate and improve specific policies and measures, and vigorously promote implementation.

The second is planning guidance. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the provincial agricultural and rural departments (commissions and bureaus) should take the lead in formulating the development plan for the protection and utilization of agricultural germplasm resources in a timely manner in accordance with the requirements of the Opinions and in combination with local conditions, refine the objectives, tasks, work measures and support policies, strengthen planning guidance, and effectively implement the requirements of the Opinions.

The third is propaganda and interpretation. We will further intensify publicity by publishing the full text of the Opinions and interpreting the series of experts, so as to respond to social concerns in a timely manner and create a good atmosphere. At the same time, we will explore activities such as the Germplasm Resources Protection Publicity Week and the Germplasm Resources Protection Journalists’ Bank.

The fourth is to highlight key points. This year, we will focus on the general survey and collection of agricultural germplasm resources, the confirmation and listing of protected units, the registration of agricultural germplasm resources, the exchange of agricultural germplasm resources and information, the formulation of development plans for the protection and utilization of agricultural germplasm resources, the accurate appraisal and evaluation of agricultural germplasm resources, and the construction of innovative germplasm trading platforms, and promote the comprehensive implementation of the Opinions in an orderly manner.

The fifth is to consolidate responsibility. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs will take the lead in refining the timetable and road map for the implementation of the Opinions, introduce the implementation plan in a timely manner, supervise and dispatch the implementation in conjunction with relevant departments, and conduct interviews and admonitions, informed criticism or accountability and accountability for regions, units and individuals that have failed to promote their work and fail to implement their responsibilities, and regularly report the progress of their work to the State Council to ensure that the objectives and tasks set out in the Opinions are implemented.