(NPGC) or the Plant Germplasm Operations Committee (PGOC). Its primary concerns should be genetic resources policy, strategy, and international cooperation. Its recommendations should be incorporated into the formulation of NPGS budgets and programs.

The NPGRB should have greater independence from those who receive its reports and advice. At present the assistant secretary for science and education, as chair, both transmits and receives the board's reports and advice for the secretary of agriculture. The board would be better served if its chair were elected from the membership. The chair should be the board's advocate in presenting its decisions and recommendations to the secretary of agriculture and the leader of the national system. The chair, on behalf of the board, should transmit an annual report summarizing the board's activities to the secretary of agriculture, the relevant congressional committees, the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, and other interested parties. The report should address U.S. germplasm activities and the effectiveness of the NPGS in achieving the board 's budgetary and programmatic recommendations.

The executive secretary of the NPGRB is responsible for administrative activities. This individual should be independent of the ARS National Program Staff and, with the chair, should aid in developing and setting agendas.

Representation on the NPGRB should include public and private sector scientists and administrators with responsibilities and expertise for managing or using plant germplasm. Representatives from other relevant federal offices, such as the Departments of State and Interior would ensure that the board's deliberations include the concerns of all NPGS participants. Private, nonprofit groups with interests in managing and conserving plant genetic resources should also be represented.

The National Plant Germplasm Committee should be disbanded.

The NPGC is superfluous and should be eliminated. The committee was once an effective advocate for the NPGS, but today its members' expertise in and commitment to germplasm varies considerably. Some members, while interested in the subject, have little prior experience with the germplasm system. As a consequence a major part of the NPGC' s work has been to educate its members about plant genetic resources. A clear role distinct from other advisory groups no longer exists for the committee. No designated individual or office within the NPGS receives its reports and advice, and its ability to influence policy is limited.

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)