International Scientific-Practical Conference “Forest Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology in Forestry”

Approved:
Head of Federal Forestry Agency,
Chairman of Program Committee
V.P. Roshchupkin

Pushkino, Moscow Region                                                                         January 31, 2008 г.

Forest genetics, breeding, seed production, introduction and modern biotechnologies are the priority directions of activities on improving productivity, quality and sustainability of the future forests. World experience witnesses about high efficiency of their results both for traditional forestation and creation of forest plantations. 

In Russian Federation has been accumulated positive experience of works in the fields of forest genetics, breeding, introduction and seed production. In different regions of the country were laid down about 36 thousand hectares of plantation cultures with various purposes. At present time specifically important are becoming works aimed at creating plantations of commercial wood for securing growing demand in row wood for forest industrial complex. 

At the same time in recent decades we noted that standards and volumes of performed works were lagging behind advanced world level. There is an urgent need of making more active genetics-breeding and biotechnological works in forest sector performed by joint efforts scientific-research institutions of Rosleskhoz, Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) and other agencies with corresponding support from the side of the government. 

With this purpose Federal Forestry Agency organized scientific-practical conference “Forest Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology in Forestry”. 

The conference was opened by Head of Rosleskhoz V.P. Roshchupkin and Chairman of the Pushchino scientific center, Academician of RAS A.I. Miroshnikov. 

In the conference took part more than 120 specialists in the field of forest genetics, breeding, seed production, introduction and biotechnology from scientific-research institutions of MNR, RAS, Russian Academy of Agricultural Science (RAAS), Ministry of Education and Science, as well as representatives of executive and legislative power of the Russian Federation and subjects of the RF, Byelorussia and Ukraine, public organizations and professional forest industrial associations and groups. 

I. Goal of the Conference 

The main goal of the conference is developing consolidated, well-founded position on problem of studying, preserving, increasing productivity, rational exploiting and reproducing forest resources, aimed at efficient solving scientific and practical tasks of forest branch of the Russian Federation. 

II. Main Tasks 

Proceed from the condition of scientific researches and experimental works on forest genetics, breeding and biotechnology, the main tasks in this field are the following:  

• Broadening volumes of scientific-research works on forest breeding, genetics, seed production, introduction and biotechnology; 
• Consolidating efforts of academic, university and branch science, coordinating scientific-research works with aim of solving the most urgent issues of forest genetics, breeding, seed production and biotechnology
• Securing training and in drafting young specialists in the field of forest genetics, breeding, seed production, as well as equipping scientific institutions by modern facilities; 
• Developing the most perspective directions of forest genetics, breeding, seed production and biotechnology and using achieved results in forestry for solving concrete industrial tasks, maintaining high competitiveness of forest sector in market environment.

III. Priority Directions of R&D  

The following directions of R&D in the field forest genetics, breeding, introduction, seed production and biotechnology have the first priority: 

• Perfecting forest seed zoning for organizing efficient breeding seed production; 
• Genetic certificating objects of common genetics-breeding complex (CGBC) with help of molecular markers and developing genetic methods of early diagnosis for ligneous plants; 
• Developing and keeping information data base on accounting kinds, forms and objects of CGBC, including geographic cultures and other scientific objects; 
• Researching intraspecific differentiation and population structure of tree species as a basis for genetic improvement of forests (also by using the newest achievements of molecular genetics and genomics);   
• Analyzing available genetic fund of earlier developed kinds and forms, breeding kinds-populations of major principal species by methods of forest genetics and seed production and securing their mass reproduction; 
• Perfecting technologies of growing selective planting material, also by using the newest biostimulators, pesticides and agrochemicals;  
• Developing modern effective methods and technologies for vegetative reproduction (including cloned micro reproduction  and “making of artificial seeds”) of perspective tree forms for forest sector; 
• Developing recommendations for using kinds and populations of introducers in forestry and plantation forest growing; 
• Developing technologies of creating forest plantations with taking into account forest-growing conditions, economic zoning, structure and volume of wood consumption by large forest industrial enterprises; 
• Developing and perfecting technical regulatory documents and practical recommendations in the field of forest genetics, breeding, introduction, seed production, biotechnology and plantation forest-growing. 

IV. Organizing Activities on Using Achievements of Forest Genetics, Breeding, Seed Production, Introduction and Biotechnology  

It is advisable to: 

• Complete in the first quarter 2008 forming data base on results of only once conducted inventory of objects of common genetic-breeding complex, executor is FSI “Roslesozashchita”; 
• Conduct genetic certification of CGBC objects on the basis of molecular markers; 
• Compile  program of developing activities on creating, keeping and using CGBC objects on the basis of regional programs of subjects of the Russian Federation; 
• Organize by Rosleskhoz a Problem’s Council on issues of forest genetics, breeding, seed production, introduction and biotechnology; 
• Conduct in September of current year a meeting of the Council for considering major directions of developing forest  breeding, genetics of seed production, introduction and biotechnology; 
• Prepare a Program of developing forest breeding, genetics of seed production, introduction and biotechnology through cooperation between scientific, educational and designing organizations; 
• Develop mechanisms for regulating use of scientific and technological achievements of forest breeding, genetics, seed production, introduction and biotechnology in forest complex of the RF; 
• Publish materials of international scientific-practical conference “Forest Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology in Forestry”. 

V. Forest Legislation

Proposed by the Conference changes and amendments to the Forest Code of the Russian Federation (FC RF) regarding forest seed production, including: 

• As to pointing out breeding-seed production objects organized for forest seed production (not only Permanent Seed Production Stations – PSPS, but also Forest Seed Plantations – FSP and other units) – (Article 65 of FC RF); 
• As to establishing rules of creating, maintaining and exploiting breeding-seed production objects, as well as reporting form regarding seed production – Article 81 of FC RF); 
• As to determining authorities of the Russian Federation in the field of forest seed production – (Article 83 of FC RF); 
• As to attributing forest plots used by breeding-seed production objects to the category of specially protected plots (Article 102 of FC RF). 

VI. Coordinating Activities 

 With aim of implementing decisions of scientific-practical conference “Forest Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology in Forestry” it would be advisable to charge the institutions with the following assignments:   

• FSI VNIILM – coordinating scientific-research activities of institutions under jurisdiction of Rosleskhoz, RAS and Universities in the field of genetics, breeding, seed production, introduction and biotechnology; 
• FSI SPbNIILKh – coordinating activities on developing technologies for breeding highly productive plantation forest cultures; 
• FSI Roslesozashchita – works on designing and creating objects of CGBC; 

FSUE NIILG&S – works in the field genetics, breeding, seed production and biotechnology