For the purposes of this Directive the following definitions shall apply:

1. (a)

   ‘conservation in situ’ means the conservation of genetic material in its natural surroundings and, in the case of cultivated plant species, in the farmed environment where they have developed their distinctive properties;

2. (b)

   ‘genetic erosion’ means loss of genetic diversity between and within populations or varieties of the same species over time, or reduction of the genetic basis of a species due to human intervention or environmental change;

3. (c)

   ‘landrace’ means a set of populations or clones of a plant species which are naturally adapted to the environmental conditions of their region;

4. (d)

   ‘seed’ means seed and seed potatoes, unless seed potatoes are expressly excluded.