Norway Begins Construction of Arctic `Noah's Ark' of Crop Seeds

Norway today began construction of an Arctic seed bank that is intended to act as a ``Noah's Ark'' of global crop samples, including potatoes, wheat and apples, protecting them from extinction.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg marked the occasion by filling a special cornerstone with seeds, according to a statement posted on his office's Web site.

``This seed bank is of global importance -- it will be the only one of its kind,'' Stoltenberg said in a speech delivered in front of the mountain where the vault will be built. ``The main aim is to protect the seeds of plants that are important for food and agricultural purposes.''