National Sustainable Development Council discusses gene bank plan

Budapest (MTI) – The country’s National Council for Sustainable Development (NFFT) discussed a plan on Thursday to set up a network of gene banks to preserve the genes of Hungarian animal and plant species.

Genetic resources form part of Hungary’s national heritage and identity, and their collection, preservation and application is a strategic issue from the point of view of ensuring national food supplies and food safety, Zsolt V Németh, state secretary at the farm ministry, said at the meeting.

Dávid Mezőszentgyörgyi, ministerial commissioner in charge of gene preservation, said the council would submit to the government a strategic programme on setting up a state network of gene banks by 2022.

According to preliminary estimates, related investments would cost some 1 billion forints (EUR 3.21m), he said.

The National Council for Sustainable Development comprises representatives of parliament, the churches, academia, NGOs, trade unions and employers.

Source: MTI