Index Seminum

Un catalogue de graines

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

Following the Convention on Biological Diversity (Rio de Janeiro, 1992) we only ship seeds to institutions and gardens that meet the following conditions: plant material is used for scientific research, conservation and education.
(International Plant Exchange Network) (https://www.bgci.org/resources/bgci-tools-and-resources/international-plant-exchange-network-resources/).

IPEN membership allows exchange with other IPEN-members without bi-lateral agreements, but non-IPEN members need to sign the Material Transfer Agreement, by an entitled representant of the receiving institution. Seeds and spores are provided with an IPEN number that consist of : Country of origin e.g. « FR » France or « XX » for unknow origin. Restriction of transfer, « 1 » if there exist a restriction, « 0 » if none – Institution acronym, in our case Toulouse and at least our accession number [e.g. FR-0-TOU-0000(n)]. The IPEN number as a whole must always stay attached to the accession and its descendants so that the origin of the material can always be traced back.


Non IPEN members have to return the agreement available with the following link against, stamped and signed by an entitled representative of their institution with the seed request form (also for e-mail). Only agreement on the supply of living plant material[1] for non-commercial purposes leaving the International Plant Exchange Network.

Against the background of the provisions and decisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity of 1992 (CBD) and in particular those on access to genetic resources and benefitsharing, the garden is dedicated to promoting the conservation, sustainable use, and research of biological diversity. The garden therefore expects its partners in acquiring, maintaining, and transferring plant material to always act in accordance with the CBD and the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).


The responsibility for legal handling of the plant material passes on to the recipient upon receipt of the material. The requested plant material will be supplied to the recipient only on the following conditions :

1. Based on this agreement, the plant material is supplied only for non-commercial use such as scientific study and educational purposes as well as environmental protection. Should the recipient at a later date intend a commercial use or a transfer for commercial use, the country of origin‘s prior informed consent (PIC) must be obtained in writing before the material is used or transferred. The recipient is responsible for ensuring an equitable sharing of benefits. 
2. On receiving the plant material, the recipient endeavours to document the received plant material, its origin (country of origin, first receiving garden, « donor » of the plant material, year of collection) as well as the acquisition and transfer conditions in a comprehensible manner.
3. In the event that scientific publications are produced based on the supplied plant material, the recipient is obliged to indicate the origin of the material (the supplying garden and if known the country of origin) and to send these publications to the Botanical Garden Henri Gaussen and to the country of origin without request from them.
4. On request, the garden will forward relevant information on the transfer of the plant material to the body charged with implementing the CBD.

For all orders, the Henri Gaussen Botanical Garden requires the person placing the order to sign to confirm their agreement to these terms and conditions.