12. Article

Šī Saprašanās memoranda depozitārijs a) Šī Saprašanās memoranda oriģināls un visi tā grozījumi, un atbilstoši tam izdarītās deklarācijas tiks uzglabāti pie tās organizācijas izpilddirektora (ģenerāldirektora), kura ir atbildīga par ECPGR sekretariāta pakalpojumu nodrošināšanu. Pašreiz ECPGR sekretariāta pakalpojumus nodrošina Bioversity International. b) Valstis un reģionālas organizācijas, kas ir tiesīgas dalībai AEGIS, var kļūt par AEGIS dalībniekiem, parakstot šī Saprašanās memoranda oriģinālu, kas glabājas pie tās organizācijas izpilddirektora (ģenerāldirektora), kura ir atbildīga par ECPGR sekretariāta pakalpojumu nodrošināšanu, vai parakstot šī Saprašanās memoranda kopiju, ko autentificējis tās organizācijas izpilddirektors (ģenerāldirektors), kura ir atbildīga par ECPGR sekretariāta pakalpojumu nodrošināšanu, kā īstu kopiju. Paraksts un datums (Valsts pārstāvja (valsts) vai pārstāvja (reģionāla organizācija) vārds, uzvārds un amats) PIELIKUMS AEGIS Asociētās dalības līgums Šis Līgums tiek noslēgts starp (institūcijas nosaukums), kura ir tiesīga institūcija Saprašanās memoranda par Eiropas integrētās gēnu banku sistēmas (AEGIS) (institūcija) izveidošanu 9.panta izpratnē un [AEGIS] ECPGR nacionālo koordinatoru (koordinatora vārds un institūcija) valstī (valsts nosaukums), kurā institūcija atrodas (nacionālais koordinators). 1. Institūcija ar šo a. piekrīt kļūt par AEGIS asociēto dalībnieku; b. uzņemas šādus AEGIS asociētā dalībnieka pienākumus: i) konsultējoties ar attiecīgo AEGIS dalībnieku ar nacionālā ECPGR koordinatora starpniecību, identificēt viņu rīcībā esošo paraugu klāstā tos paraugus, kuri nav apgrūtināti ne ar kādām trešās puses saistībām vai ierobežojumiem un kuri atbilst ECPGR Vadības komitejas pieņemtajām vispārējām atlases prasībām, lai to varētu virzīt reģistrācijai kā Eiropas paraugu; ii) pārvaldīt Eiropas paraugus savās institūcijās saskaņā ar AEGIS mērķiem un Vispārējiem principiem, kuri ir piemērojami Eiropas paraugiem AEGIS ietvaros, kā tas ir noteikts šī Līguma pielikumā, tā kā šie mērķi un Vispārējie principi var tikt laiku pa laikam grozīti; iii) nodrošināt savu Eiropas paraugu ilgtermiņa saglabāšanu un/vai uzturēšanu saskaņā ar apstiprinātajiem standartiem; iv) piedalīties tādos noteiktas kultūrauga vai sugas atbalsta pasākumos kā atjaunošana, dzīvotspējas pārbaude un citos, ko organizē attiecīgā ECPGR darba grupa, un/vai veicināt šos pasākumus; v) pēc iespējas ātrāk nodrošināt savu Eiropas paraugu dublēšanu drošībai vienojoties par nosacījumiem melnās kastes principu ietvaros attiecīgi cita asociētā dalībnieka gēnu bankā, iespējams citā valstī un/vai Vispasaules sēklu glabātuvē Svalbardā (Svalbard Global Seed Vault); vi) veicināt savu Eiropas paraugu un saistītās informācijas pieejamību atbilstoši AEGIS Vispārējiem principiem; vii) nodrošinot Eiropas paraugiem sabiedriskā domēna paraugu līmeņa informāciju attiecībā uz pieejamajiem pasu datiem ar nacionālo inventarizācijas sistēmu un EURISCO, un pēc minimālajiem standartiem, par kuriem ir vienojušies ECPGR dokumentācijas un informācijas tīkli; darīt pieejamus nekonfidenciālus raksturojumus un vērtēšanas datus ar atbilstošās ECPGR centrālās kultūraugu datubāzes (ECCDB) vai citu līdzīgu sistēmu starpniecību, kuras eventuāli var tikt ieviestas šajā nolūkā; un viii) nodrošināt un/vai pārvaldīt saskaņā ar AEGIS apstiprinātajiem standartiem tādus ar saglabāšanu saistītus pakalpojumus, kādus asociētais dalībnieks varētu piedāvāt. 2. Nacionālais koordinators pieņem institūciju par AEGIS asociēto dalībnieku un piekrīt strādāt ar institūciju AEGIS mērķu sasniegšanā un vispārējo principu īstenošanā. 3. Institūcija var lauzt šo Līgumu, paziņojot par to rakstiski attiecīgajam nacionālajam koordinatoram 12 mēnešus iepriekš. 4. Ja nacionālais koordinators nav apmierināts ar to, ka institūcija nav pilnībā izpildījusi šajā Līgumā noteiktās saistības, tas jebkurā laikā par to var rakstiski ziņot institūcijai, precizējot jomas, kurās institūcija nav izpildījusi saistības. Ja institūcija 12 mēnešu laikā pēc rakstiskā paziņojuma saņemšanas neizlabo situāciju, nacionālais koordinators drīkst nekavējoties izbeigt šī Līguma darbību. 5. Šī Līguma darbība beidzas, izstājoties AEGIS dalībniekam, kura jurisdikcijā institūcija atrodas, vai beidzoties Saprašanās memoranda darbībai attiecībā uz AEGIS iestādi. 6. Šis Līgums tiks uzglabāts pie nacionālā koordinatora. Tā eksemplārs tiks nosūtīts tās organizācijas izpilddirektoram (ģenerāldirektoram), kura ir atbildīga par ECPGR sekretariāta pakalpojumu nodrošināšanu. Pašreiz ECPGR sekretariāta pakalpojumus nodrošina Bioversity International. Paraksts un datums (institūcijas pārstāvja vārds, uzvārds un amats) Paraksts un datums (nacionālā koordinatora (valsts) vārds, uzvārds un amats) 1.papildinājums AEGIS mērķi AEGIS mērķi būs šādi: i) attīstīt efektīvāku PGRFA saglabāšanas un ilgtspējīgas izmantošanas reģionālo sistēmu, izveidojot Eiropas kolekciju; ii) veicināt citus sadarbības pasākumus racionālas PGRFA saglabāšanas, pārvaldības un ilgtspējīgas izmantošanas nolūkāun uzņemties tos; iii) veicināt PGRFA apmaiņu atbilstoši apmaiņas standarta noteikumiem un nosacījumiem; iv) veicināt informācijas apmaiņu PGRFA pušu, citu ieinteresēto subjektu un plašākas saglabāšanas kopienas starpā; un v) nodrošināt reģionālās sadarbības mehānismu, lai īstenotu Eiropas reģiona Līgumu. 2.papildinājums Eiropas paraugiem piemērojamie vispārējie principi AEGIS ietvaros a) Šādi principi tiks piemēroti Eiropas paraugu pārvaldībai un apmaiņai AEGIS ietvaros; i) attiecīgā AEGIS individuālajiem dalībniekiem ir rīcības brīvība ierosināt paraugu iekļaušanu Eiropas paraugu skaitā; ii) paraugiem, kas tiek izvirzīti kā Eiropas paraugi, ir jāatbilst ECPGR Vadības komitejas pieņemtajām vispārējām atlases prasībām; iii) kā Eiropas paraugi tiks reģistrēti un saglabāti tikai tie paraugi, uz kuriem neattiecas nekādas trešās puses saistības vai ierobežojumi; iv) Starptautiskā līguma Standarta materiālu pārsūtīšanas līgums (SMTA) tiks izmantots 1.pielikumā iekļauto kultūraugu nodošanas procedūrā; v) SMTA3 noteikumi un nosacījumi tiks izmantoti to 1.pielikumā neiekļauto kultūraugu nodošanas procedūrā, kuri ir reģistrēti kā Eiropas paraugi, kopā ar šādu SMTA interpretāciju skaidrojošu piezīmi: "Ja SMTA tiek izmantots pārtikas un lauksaimniecības augu ģenētisko resursu nodošanai, izņemot tos, kas ir reģistrēti Līguma 1.pielikumā: ● SMTA dotās atsauces uz "Daudzpusējo sistēmu" netiek interpretētas kā ierobežojums SMTA piemērošanai 1.pielikumā iekļautajiem pārtikas un lauksamniecības kultūraugu ģenētiskajiem resursiem; ● lai gan 1.pielikumā neiekļautais materiāls tiek izplatīts ar pievienotu SMTA, tas nekļūst par Daudzpusējās sistēmas sastāvdaļu, bet tomēr tas ir pieejams pēc tādiem pašiem nosacījumiem; ● jo īpaši SMTA 6.2., 6.5.panta "b" punkta un 6.10.panta gadījumā, "no Daudzpusējās sistēmas" nozīmē "atbilstoši šim Līgumam"; ● SMTA 6.11.pantā un 3.pielikumā sniegtā atsauce uz "Pārtikas un lauksaimniecības augu ģenētiskajiem resursiem, kuri pieder tam pašam kultūraugam, kas minēts Līguma 1.pielikumā, ar nozīmi "tam pašam kultūraugam piederošie pārtikas un lauksaimniecības augu ģenētiskie resursi". vi) ja Eiropas paraugi tiek pieprasīti citos nolūkos kā SMTA 6.1. pantā noteiktajos, tad noteikumi un nosacījumi, ar kuriem tiek nodrošināta pieeja Eiropas paraugiem, katrā gadījumā tiks saskaņoti atsevišķi starp asociēto dalībnieku un saņēmēju; vii) atbilstošā ECPGR darba grupa ierosinās minimālos saskaņotos standartus attiecībā uz Eiropas kolekcijas pārvaldību katra kultūrauga genofondam, un ECPGR Vadības komiteja tos apstiprinās; viii) AEGIS asociētie dalībnieki veiks visas atlases darbības atbilstoši apstiprinātajiem standartiem; ix) sabiedriskajā domēnā būs pieejama paraugu līmeņa informācija, kas tiek reģistrēta atbilstoši apstiprinātajiem standartiem, kā arī nekonfidenciālie raksturojuma un vērtējuma dati; x) katram Eiropas paraugam būs identificēts drošības dublikāts, kas tiks uzglabāts tādos pašos vai labākos apstākļos kā oriģināls; xi) katrai struktūrvienībai AEGIS organizācijas struktūrā ECPGR Vadības komiteja noteiks detalizētu kompetences jomu. b) Iepriekš minētie principi tiks pastāvīgi pārskatīti, un tie var tikt atbilstoši grozīti saskaņā ar Saprašanās memoranda 11.panta "a" punktā aprakstīto kārtību par Eiropas Gēnu banku integrētās sistēmas (AEGIS) izveidošanu. 1 Administratīvais budžets ietvers koordinācijas un administratīvo pakalpojumu izmaksas ECPGR sekretariātā. 2 SMTA izmantošana neuzliek nekādas saistības trešā puses saņēmējam vai Vadošajai iestādei veikt jebkuras darbības, lai reģistrētu vai pildītu SMTA attiecībā uz 1.pielikumā neiekļauto kultūraugu nodošanu. 3 SMTA izmantošana neuzliek nekādas saistības trešās puses saņēmējam vai Vadošajai iestādei veikt jebkuras darbības, lai reģistrētu vai pildītu SMTA attiecībā uz 1.pielikumā neiekļauto kultūraugu nodošanu. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING for the establishment of A EUROPEAN GENEBANK INTEGRATED SYSTEM (AEGIS) PREAMBLE WHEREAS the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, provides for the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and for the establishment of a Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-sharing that will allow for the continued exchange of plant genetic resources that are most important to food security and on which countries are most interdependent, on standard, globally agreed terms and conditions; WHEREAS the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, at its first session in June 2006, adopted the Standard Material Transfer Agreement, under which plant genetic resources for food and agriculture under the Multilateral System established by the Treaty will be transferred; WHEREAS plant genetic resources for food and agriculture in Europe are conserved in some 500 institutions scattered over more than forty European countries, with a need for more coordination and sharing of responsibilities and activities related to conservation, management and access; WHEREAS the countries of Europe wish to set up a European Genebank Integrated System to improve coordination with respect to the conservation of PGRFA in Europe and tofacilitate the exchange of such PGRFA and related information among the countries and genebanks of Europe, without prejudice to the possible eventual extension of the system to in situ materials; Now therefore, the countries and regional organizations party to this Memorandum of Understanding hereby agree as follows: Article 1 Definitions For the purposes of this Memorandum of Understanding - i) "AEGIS" means the European Genebank Integrated System established under Article 2; ii) "Annex I crops" means PGRFA listed in Annex I of the Treaty; iii) "Approved standards" means minimum agreed standards adopted by the ECPGR Steering Committee; iv) "Black box arrangements" means a. that the deposit of the material will not affect any property or other rights pertaining to the material; b. that the material deposited will remain in sealed containers, unless otherwise agreed with the depositor; c. that the terms and conditions governing the deposit of the material will be agreed between the depositor and the institution in which the materials are to be deposited; d. that the institution in which the materials are to be deposited will take no action to further transfer the material except back to the original depositor or the depositor's successor in title, or in accordance with the depositor's instructions. v) "Central Crop Database" means the ECPGR Central Crop Database (ECCDB) or such other system as may eventually be developed for this purpose; vi) "Crop Conservation Work Plans" means the work plans prepared by the ECPGR Crop Working Groups for each crop under Article 5d) and approved by the ECPGR Steering Committee under Article 5b); vii) "ECPGR" means the European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources; viii) "European Accessions" means accessions registered as European Accessions in accordance with Article 6(a)(ii) and (iii), which will be collectively known as "the European Collection", to be organized where feasible on a crop genepool specific basis; ix) "Non-Annex I crops" means PGRFA other than PGRFA listed in Annex I of the Treaty; x) "National Coordinator" means an ECPGR National Coordinator whose mandate has been extended under Article 6(a)(i) to act also as National Coordinator for AEGIS at the national level; xi) "PGRFA" means plant genetic resources for food and agriculture; xii) "SMTA" means the Standard Material Transfer Agreement adopted by the Governing Body of the Treaty at its First Session in June 2006; xiii) "The Parties" means the countries and regional organizations that have signed this Memorandum of Understanding; xiv) "Treaty" means the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, which entered into force on 29 June 2004; xv) "Institutions" includes public sector, civil society and private sector genebanks, and other institutions holding PGRFA collections or providing conservation related services. Article 2 Establishment of AEGIS a) The Parties hereby establish the European Genebank Integrated System. b) The membership of AEGIS will consist of eligible countries and regional organizations in the European Region that have signed this Memorandum of Understanding. c) AEGIS will cover both Annex I and non-Annex I crops that are free from any third party obligations or restrictions, provided that this will not limit the discretion of anyindividual Member of AEGIS with respect to the accessions or class of accessions it deems appropriate to propose for registration as European Accessions. Article 3 Countries and regional organizations eligible for membership in AEGIS a) The countries and regional organizations listed below are eligible for membership in AEGIS: Albania; Armenia; Austria; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Belgium; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Croatia; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; European Community; Finland; France; Georgia; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Iceland; Ireland; Israel; Italy; Latvia; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Macedonia FYR; Malta; Moldova; Montenegro; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Russian Federation; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Turkey; United Kingdom; Ukraine, provided that i) they are Members of ECPGR; and ii) they are Parties to the Treaty or are otherwise willing to make plant genetic resources for food and agriculture under their jurisdiction available under the conditions of the Treaty. b) The Members of AEGIS may by consensus add other countries and regional organizations to the list of countries and regional organizations eligible for membership in AEGIS. c) For the purposes of this Memorandum of Understanding, a country may be represented by its Government or by a person or public entity that has been appointed by its Government, and a regional organization by a Representative appointed on its behalf. Article 4 Objectives of AEGIS The objectives of AEGIS will be the following: i) To develop a more efficient regional system of conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA through the setting up of a European Collection; ii) To promote and undertake other collaborative action for the rational conservation, management and sustainable use of PGRFA; iii) To facilitate the exchange of PGRFA in accordance with standard terms and conditions of exchange; iv) To promote the exchange of information regarding PGRFA among the Parties, other stakeholders and the broader conservation community; and v) To provide a mechanism for regional cooperation in the implementation of the Treaty in the European region. Article 5 Relationship of AEGIS with ECPGR a) AEGIS will operate within the framework of ECPGR. b) The ECPGR Steering Committee will have overall responsibility and oversight over the operation of AEGIS, will approve the administrative budget1 of AEGIS, and will use its best efforts to promote the mobilization of the funds required. In particular, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the Steering Committee will - i) promote the establishment of the European Collection; ii) adopt general requirements for the selection of accessions to be proposed for registration as European Accessions; iii) approve the contents of the Crop Conservation Work Plans, and oversee their implementation; iv) adopt minimum agreed standards for the management of the European Collection on a crop genepool specific basis. c) The ECPGR Secretariat will - i) support the ECPGR Steering Committee in the activities outlined under Article 5(b); ii) provide coordination and secretariat support for AEGIS activities; d) The ECPGR Crop Working Groups will provide technical support for the implementation of AEGIS, including - i) adopting crop-specific criteria that are consistent with the general requirements adopted by the ECPGR Steering Committee for the selection of accessions to be proposed for registration as European Accessions; ii) helping to identify and making recommendations to the participating countries regarding the accessions proposed for registration as European Accessions; iii) preparing and coordinating the implementation of Crop Conservation Work Plans; iv) proposing minimum agreed standards for the management of the European Collection on a crop genepool specific basis for adoption by the ECPGR Steering Committee. e) The ECPGR Documentation and Information Network will provide the information infrastructure, including - i) recording registered European Accessions, and providing reporting services through the National Inventory System and the European Plant Genetic Resources Search Catalogue (EURISCO); and ii) crop-specific information tools for characterization and evaluation data. f) The National Coordinators of ECPGR will act as coordinators for AEGIS at the national level, subject to the extension of their mandates in accordance with Article 6(a)(i). Article 6 Responsibilities of Members of AEGIS a) Each Member country participating in AEGIS will be responsible for - i) extending the mandate of the ECPGR National Coordinator to act also as National Coordinator for AEGIS at the national level, and providing appropriate support; ii) in consultation with the Associate Members concerned within its jurisdiction, proposing to the ECPGR Crop Working Groups lists of such accessions for registration as European Accessions as it may deem appropriate in accordance with the general selection requirements adopted by the ECPGR and the General Principles applicable to European Accessions under AEGIS set out in Article 8, and taking into account any crop-specific selection criteria adopted by the ECPGR Crop Working Groups; iii) after considering the recommendations by the ECPGR Crop Working Groups, registering accessions as European Accessions, notifying such European Accessions to the European Plant Genetic Resources Search Catalogue (EURISCO), through the National Inventory System, and, in the event that the AEGIS Member concerned withdraws from this Memorandum of Understanding, notifying to EURISCO before the effective date of the withdrawal that the registration of accessions within its jurisdiction as European Accessions will terminate on the effective date of withdrawal; iv) keeping under review the list of registered European Accessions for which it is responsible in light of the need to maintain a rational system of ex situ conservation. Where an AEGIS Member wishes to withdraw an accession from the list of European Accessions, the AEGIS Member will give at least twelve months notice to the ECPGR Crop Working Group concerned of such withdrawal, and will inform EURISCO accordingly when the withdrawal is effective. b) The regional organizations participating in AEGIS will be responsible for providing appropriate support. Article 7 Responsibilities of National Coordinators with respect to AEGIS The National Coordinator will be responsible within the member country concerned for - i) serving as the focal point for interactions with the ECPGR Crop Working Groups and for the implementation of the Crop Conservation Work Plans within his/her country with the participating institution(s); ii) identifying and accepting appropriate eligible institutions as Associate Members of AEGIS in accordance with the procedures described Article 9, and promoting and coordinating appropriate support for such Associate Members; iii) promoting and coordinating with the Associate Members concerned within its jurisdictio the designation of European Accessions and the development and management of the European Collection; iv) in case of the withdrawal of an Associate Member within its jurisdiction or the termination of its Associate Membership Agreement, informing the ECPGR Secretariat of the withdrawal or termination with, where feasible, twelve months notice before the effective date of withdrawal or termination, in order to allow for an appropriate adjustment of the Crop Conservation Work Plans. Article 8 General Principles applicable to European Accessions under AEGIS a) The following principles will be applicable to the management and exchange of European Accessions under AEGIS: i) The discretion to propose accessions as European Accessions lies with the individual Members of AEGIS concerned; ii) Accessions proposed as European Accessions must meet the general selection requirements adopted by the ECPGR Steering Committee; iii) Only accessions that are free from any third party obligations or restrictions will be registered and conserved as European Accessions; iv) The Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA) of the International Treaty will be used for the transfer of Annex I crops; v) The terms and conditions of the SMTA2 will be used for the transfer of Non-Annex I crops that have been registered as European Accessions, with an explanatory note reflecting the following interpretation of the SMTA: "In the event that the SMTA is used for the transfer of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture other than those listed in Annex 1 of the Treaty: ● The references in the SMTA to the "Multilateral System" shall not be interpreted as limiting the application of the SMTA to Annex 1 Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture; ● While Non-Annex 1 material distributed with the enclosed SMTA does not become part of the Multilateral System, it will however be available under the same conditions; ● In particular in the case of Article 6.2, Article 6.5(b) and Article 6.10 of the SMTA "from the Multilateral System" shall be taken to mean "under this Agreement"; ● The reference in Article 6.11 and Annex 3 of the SMTA to "Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture belonging to the same crop, as set out in Annex 1 to the Treaty" shall be taken to mean "Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture belonging to the same crop"." vi) In the event that European Accessions are accessed for purposes other than those provided for in Article 6.1 of the SMTA, the terms and conditions under which the European Accessions are made available will be agreed on a case by case basis between the Associate Member and the Recipient; vii) Minimum agreed standards regarding management of the European Collection will be proposed for each crop genepool by the respective ECPGR Crop Working Group and adopted by the ECPGR Steering Committee; viii) Associate Members of AEGIS will perform all selected activities according to the approved standards; ix) Public domain accession-level information recorded in accordance with approved standards, as well as non-confidential characterization and evaluation data will be made available; x) Each European Accession will have an identified safety-duplicate stored under the same or better conditions than the original; xi) For each of the bodies within the organizational framework of AEGIS, detailed terms of reference will be established by the ECPGR Steering Committee. b) The above Principles will be kept under review and may be amended as appropriate, in accordance with the procedure described in Article 11 (a). Article 9 Associate Membership of AEGIS a) The Parties will encourage appropriate eligible public, private and civil society institutions to become Associate Members of AEGIS, in accordance with their national policy and legal frameworks. b) Institutions located in a Member country of AEGIS will be eligible for associate membership in AEGIS. c) An eligible institution will become an Associate Member of AEGIS once it has been accepted as an Associate Member by the respective National Coordinator and has signed an AEGIS - Associate Membership Agreement with the National Coordinator in the form set out in the Annex to this Memorandum of Understanding. The signed AEGIS - Associate Membership Agreement will be deposited with the National Coordinator and a copy will be sent to the Executive Head (Director General) of the Organization responsible for providing the Secretariat services to the ECPGR. d) The responsibilities of Associate Members of AEGIS will be the following: i) Identifying, in consultation with the AEGIS Member concerned through the National ECPGR Coordinator, from among the accessions they hold, those accessions that are free from any third party obligations or restrictions and meet the general selection requirements adopted by the ECPGR Steering Committee, to be proposed for registration as European Accessions; ii) managing the European Accessions in their institutions in accordance with the Objectives and General Principles of AEGIS; iii) ensuring the long-term conservation and/or maintenance of their European Accessions according to approved standards; iv) participating in and/or facilitating supporting activities such as regeneration, viability testing and others organized by the respective ECPGR Crop Working Group for the crop/species in question; v) ensuring as soon as possible safety-duplication of their European Accessions in agreed conditions, under black-box arrangements as appropriate, at another Associate Member genebank, possibly in a different country, and/or at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault; vi) facilitating access to and availability of their European Accessions and related information in accordance with the General Principles applicable to European Accessions under AEGIS; vii) for European Accessions, making available public domain accession-level information regarding available passport data through the National Inventory System and EURISCO, following the minimum standards agreed by the ECPGR Documentation and Information Network; making available nonconfidential characterization and evaluation data through the relevant ECPGR Central Crop Database (ECCDB) or such other system as may eventually be developed for this purpose; and viii) providing and/or managing, in accordance with AEGIS approved standards, such conservation related services as the Associate Member may offer. Article 10 Entry into force of this Memorandum of Understanding This Memorandum of Understanding will enter into force on its signature by 10 countries eligible for membership in AEGIS, and will remain in force until terminated in accordance with Article 11. Article 11 Amendment, Withdrawal from and Termination of this Memorandum of Understanding a) This Memorandum of Understanding may be amended by consensus of the Parties. b) Any Party may withdraw from this Memorandum of Understanding on twelve months written notice to the Depositary. In the event that a Party withdraws from this Memorandum of Understanding, all AEGIS Associate Membership Agreements in respect of Institutions within its jurisdiction will terminate as of the effective date of that withdrawal. c) This Memorandum of Understanding will terminate if the number of Parties falls below the minimum number required for its entry into force, or if the ECPGR ceases to exist. Article 12 Depositary of this Memorandum of Understanding a) The original of this Memorandum of Understanding and any amendments thereto and Declarations made hereunder will be deposited with the Executive Head (Director General) of the Organization responsible for providing the Secretariat services to the ECPGR. At the present time, the ECPGR Secretariat services are provided by Bioversity International. b) Countries and regional organizations eligible for membership in AEGIS may become members of AEGIS by signing the original copy of this Memorandum of Understanding held by the Executive Head (Director General) of the Organization responsible for providing the Secretariat services to the ECPGR, or by signing a copy of this Memorandum of Understanding authenticated by the Executive Head (Director General) of the Organization responsible for providing the Secretariat services to the ECPGR as being a true copy. Signatures and Date (Name and Position of Country Representative (country) or Representative (Regional Organization)) ANNEX AEGIS - Associate Membership Agreement This Agreement is between (Name of institution), being an eligible institution within the meaning of Article 9 of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Establishment of the European Genebank Integrated System (AEGIS) (the Institution) and the [AEGIS] ECPGR National Coordinator (Name and Institution of Coordinator) for the country (Name of Country) in which the Institution is located (the National Coordinator). 1. The Institution hereby - a. agrees to become an Associate Member of AEGIS; b. accepts the responsibilities of an Associate Member of AEGIS as set out below: i) Identifying, in consultation with the AEGIS Member concerned through the National ECPGR Coordinator, from among the accessions they hold, those accessions that are free from any third party obligations or restrictions and meet the general selection requirements adopted by the ECPGR Steering Committee, to be proposed for registration as European Accessions; ii) managing the European Accessions in their institutions in accordance with the Objectives of AEGIS and the General Principles applicable to European Accessions under AEGIS, as set out in the Appendices to this Agreement, as those Objectives and General Principles may be amended from time to time; iii) ensuring the long-term conservation and/or maintenance of their European Accessions according to approved standards; iv) participating in and/or facilitating supporting activities such as regeneration, viability testing and others organized by the respective ECPGR Crop Working Group for the crop/species in question; v) ensuring as soon as possible safety-duplication of their European Accessions in agreed conditions, under black-box arrangements as appropriate, at another Associate Member genebank, possibly in a different country, and/or at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault; vi) facilitating access to and availability of their European Accessions and related information in accordance with the General Principles of AEGIS; vii) for European Accessions, making available public domain accession-level information regarding available passport data through the National Inventory System and EURISCO, following the minimum standards agreed by the ECPGR Documentation and Information Network; making available nonconfidential characterization and evaluation data through the relevant ECPGR Central Crop Database (ECCDB) or such other system as may eventually be developed for this purpose; and viii) providing and/or managing, in accordance with AEGIS approved standards, such conservation related services as the Associate Member may offer. 2. The National Coordinator accepts the Institution as an Associate Member of AEGIS and agrees to work with the Institution in the implementation of the Objectives and General Principles of AEGIS. 3. The Institution may withdraw from this Agreement on twelve months written notice to the National Coordinator concerned. 4. In the event that the National Coordinator is not satisfied that the Institution has complied fully with its obligations under this Agreement, the National Coordinator may at any time give written notice to the Institution specifying the areas in which compliance by the Institution has been deficient. If the Institution fails to remedy the situation within a period of twelve months following receipt of such written notice, the National Coordinator may terminate this Agreement forthwith. 5. This agreement will terminate on the withdrawal of the AEGIS Member in whose the jurisdiction the Institution is located or on the termination of the Memorandum of Understanding for the Establishment of AEGIS. 6. This Agreement will be deposited with the National Coordinator. A copy will be sent to the Executive Head (Director General) of the Organization responsible for providing the Secretariat services to the ECPGR. At the present time, the ECPGR Secretariat services are provided by Bioversity International. Signature and Date (Name and Position of Representative of the Institution) Signature and Date (Name and Position of Representative of National Coordinator (country)) APPENDIX 1 Objectives of AEGIS The objectivesof AEGIS will be the following: i) To develop a more efficient regional system of conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA through the setting up of a European Collection; ii) To promote and undertake other collaborative action for the rational conservation, management and sustainable use of PGRFA; iii) To facilitate the exchange of PGRFA in accordance with standard terms and conditions of exchange; iv) To promote the exchange of information regarding PGRFA among the Parties, other stakeholders and the broader conservation community; and v) To provide a mechanism for regional cooperation in the implementation of the Treaty in the European region. APPENDIX 2 General Principles applicable to European Accessions under AEGIS a) The following principles will be applicable to the management and exchange of European Accessions under AEGIS: i) The discretion to propose accessions as European Accessions lies with the individual Members of AEGIS concerned; ii) Accessions proposed as European Accessions must meet the general selection requirements adopted by the ECPGR Steering Committee; iii) Only accessions that are free from any third party obligations or restrictions will be registered and conserved as European Accessions; iv) The Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA) of the International Treaty will be used for the transfer of Annex I crops; v) The terms and conditions of the SMTA3 will be used for the transfer of Non-Annex I crops that have been registered as European Accessions, with an explanatory note reflecting the following interpretation of the SMTA: "In the event that the SMTA is used for the transfer of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture other than those listed in Annex 1 of the Treaty: ● The references in the SMTA to the "Multilateral System" shall not be interpreted as limiting the application of the SMTA to Annex 1 Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture; ● While Non-Annex 1 material distributed with the enclosed SMTA does not become part of the Multilateral System, it will however be available under the same conditions; ● In particular in the case of Article 6.2, Article 6.5(b) and Article 6.10 of the SMTA "from the Multilateral System" shall be taken to mean "under this Agreement"; ● The reference in Article 6.11 and Annex 3 of the SMTA to "Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture belonging to the same crop, as set out in Annex 1 to the Treaty" shall be taken to mean "Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture belonging to the same crop"." vi) In the event that European Accessions are accessed for purposes other than those provided for in Article 6.1 of the SMTA, the terms and conditions under which the European Accessions are made available will be agreed on a case by case basis between the Associate Member and the Recipient; vii) Minimum agreed standards regarding management of the European Collection will be proposed for each crop genepool by the respective ECPGR Crop Working Group and adopted by the ECPGR Steering Committee; viii) Associate Members of AEGIS will perform all selected activities according to the approved standards; ix) Public domain accession-level information recorded in accordance with approved standards, as well as non-confidential characterization and evaluation data will be made available; x) Each European Accession will have an identified safety-duplicate stored under the same or better conditions than the original; xi) For each of the bodies within the organizational framework of AEGIS, detailed terms of reference will be established by the ECPGR Steering Committee. b) The above Principles will be kept under review and may be amended as appropriate, in accordance with the procedure described in Article 11 a) of the MMemorandum of Understanding for the Establishment of a European Genebank Integrated System (AEGIS). 1 The administrative budget will include costs of coordination and administrative services at the ECPGR Secretariat. 2 The use of the SMTA does not place any obligation on the Third Party Beneficiary or on the Governing Body to take any action to record or enforce the SMTA in respect of transfers of non-Annex I crops. 3 The use of the SMTA does not place any obligation on the Third Party Beneficiary or on the Governing Body to take any action to record or enforce the SMTA in respect of transfers of non-Annex I crops.