Seed Policy and Programmes in the Latin America and the Caribbean

This publication presents the proceedings of the Regional Technical Meeting on Seed Policy and Programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean, which was held in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico from 20 to 24 March 2000. In line with the Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources adopted in Leipzig, the Rome Declaration on World Food Security and the World Food Summit Plan of Action, the Meeting recognised that a major challenge facing the countries of the Latin America and the Caribbean region is directly related to the sustainable utilization of the amazing wealth of the region's plant genetic resources. In particular, the deliberations focused on the appropriate mechanisms required to ensure capacity for the maintenance, production and equitable distribution of good quality seeds of a wide range of plant varieties, thus contributing to national and regional food security.