support (e.g., services related to personnel, contracts, accounting, and purchasing) that would have to be created for a new unit, and which could entail additional costs.

Elevation Within the Agricultural Research Service Under this second option, the national system would remain in the ARS, but it would be strengthened by adoption of a range of changes in management policies, budget process, and facilities. Leadership would be vested in an individual or office directly answerable to the ARS administrator. The influence of the area directors would be reduced and germplasm program planning would not be the responsibility of the National Program Staff or the Germplasm Matrix Team.

The budget for the NPGS should be separate and distinct from other ARS activities and should be directly related to identified needs and priorities. An annual budget for the national system would be developed by its leader. This budget would address recommendations, concerns, and priorities identified by the NPGRB. It should account for all ARS funds devoted to NPGS activities and include consideration of funding supplied cooperatively by other agencies.

It is clear that significant change is needed in the administration of the NPGS and in the mechanisms for formulating budgets to make them responsive to identified needs. Addressing the committee's recommendation solely through cooperative or informal agreements that perpetuate the present lines of authority over the NPGS budget and program will do little to address the committee's concerns or the system's needs. The committee considers the option to establish the NPGS as an independent unit outside the ARS to be the most likely to achieve efficient national coordination. It is aware, however, that other arrangements may be more readily achieved within political and federal budget constraints. The second option of remaining within ARS but in an elevated status would confirm the leadership role of the ARS in managing and financing the NPGS, but it could lead to reduced willingness of other agencies to provide cooperative support.

Under a centrally managed NPGS, advisory groups should each have clearly defined responsibilities, the resources to accomplish their assigned tasks, and an established pathway for assuring that their advice is used to formulate policies and procedures. These groups include the NPGRB and crop advisory committees.

Front Matter (R1-R16)

Executive Summary (1-20)

1 Managing Crop Genetic Resources (21-42)

2 Elements of the National Plant Germplasm System (43-86)

3 Administration of the National System (87-106)

4 Prescription for Effectiveness (107-144)

References (145-148)

Glossary (149-153)

Abbreviations (154-155)

Authors (156-160)

Index (161-173)