Introduction

This introduction provides readers with a general overview on the content and structure of the book, the context in which the major issues related to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) emerged, its relevance for humankind and some interesting details of the negotiating and implementation process of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA – the Treaty). The authors have taken this opportunity to express their personal views on some of the major challenges ahead of the Treaty, which will be further developed in the concluding chapter of this volume.