23.12.2004 Official Journal of the European Union L 378/1 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DECISION of 24 February 2004 concerning the conclusion, on behalf of the European Community, of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (2004/869EC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity, and in particular Articles 37 and 175(1), in conjunction with the first subparagraph of Article 300(2) and the first subpara- graph of Article 300(3) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1), Whereas: 4 World food security and sustainable agriculture depend on the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for agricultural research and breeding. The Community is a Member of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, hereinafter referred to as the ‘Inter- national Treaty’, was adopted by the FAO Conference in Rome on 3 November 2001. The Community and its Member States signed the Interna- tional Treaty on 6 June 2002. (1) Opinion delivered on 29 January 2004 (not yet published in the Offi- cial Journal). ©) The International Treaty provides a legally binding global framework for the sustainable conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and a multilat- eral system under which all parties to the Treaty not only have access to such resources but may also share the com- mercial and other benefits arising from their use. The conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for agricultural research and breeding are essen- tial for the development of agricultural production, and for the preservation of agricultural biodiversity. By facilitating access to plant genetic resources under a multilateral system, the International Treaty should pro- mote technical progress in agriculture, in accordance with Article 33 of the Treaty establishing the European Community. Pursuant to Article 174 of the Treaty establishing the Euro- pean Community, Community policy on the environment is to contribute to the preservation, protection and improvement of the quality of the environment. By Decision 93/626/EEC (?), the Community concluded the Convention on Biological Diversity under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme. The mea- sures to ensure the preservation of agricultural biodiversity included in the International Treaty will further the objec- tives of the Convention. () OJL309,13.12.1993, p. 1.