The Balearic Islands’ Local Varieties Commission has held its latest ordinary meeting, adopting key decisions aimed at strengthening the conservation and promotion of agricultural biodiversity. The session approved the inclusion of nine new local varieties in the official catalogue and reported the registration of three Balearic varieties in the national commercial register.

The Commission, which acts as an advisory body for safeguarding plant genetic resources of agricultural interest, continues to consolidate its role, having now held seventeen sessions as part of the Strategic Plan for Cultivated Biodiversity.

The newly added varieties include peppers, tomatoes and several types of beans, expanding the protection of traditional crops that form part of the islands’ agricultural heritage. These additions reinforce efforts to preserve locally adapted varieties with historical and cultural value.

It was also announced that Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has approved the registration of three Balearic products at the national level: Andratx red onion, Mallorcan lentil, and Balearic black broad bean. This step enhances their official recognition and supports their market development. In contrast, applications relating to two pea varieties were rejected.

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Nine new local crop varieties have been added to the Balearic Islands catalogue. Progress review of the Cultivated Biodiversity Action Plan

A central item on the agenda was the presentation of the mid-term evaluation of the Cultivated Biodiversity Action Plan for the 2024–2025 period. The plan serves as the main framework for public policies related to the recovery, conservation, research, promotion and commercialization of local crop varieties.

The evaluation highlights progress across the plan’s four strategic pillars, including continued field surveys and regeneration work, improved coordination among germplasm banks, strengthened outreach initiatives, and the sustained development of research and knowledge-transfer projects.

Several ongoing scientific projects were also presented, focusing on the assessment of traditional fruit tree varieties and on the conservation of native almond trees using biosecure techniques. Updates were provided on funding schemes for plant genetic resources, and participants were reminded that the local varieties catalogue remains a dynamic and evolving tool, open to new contributions from experts and institutions.