The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) addresses policies for the sustainable use and conservation of genetic resources for food and agriculture, as well as the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from their use. Established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 1983, the CGRFA is the only permanent intergovernmental body that specifically addresses biological diversity for food and agriculture. It covers plant, animal, forest, aquatic, and micro-organism and invertebrate genetic resources.
The Commission produces regular global scientific assessments (State of the World reports) of the different sectors of genetic resources for food and agriculture. Based on the trends, gaps, and challenges identified in these assessments, the Commission develops policy measures for governments to take action to conserve and sustainably use genetic resources for food and agriculture.