SAVING THE SEED: EUROPE'S CHALLENGE

The 1990s have not been a good decade for agricultural biodiversity in Europe. Lack of helpful reform in the Common Agricultural Policy, new legislative restrictions on seeds and a persistent move towards private industry controlling the seed markets has led to further intensification of agriculture and the disempowerment of farmers. But individuals, farmers, communities and non-government organisations are fighting back. Their actions are sometimes even supported with new national and European legislation and funding opportunities.

The 1990s have not been a good decade for agricultural biodiversity in Europe. Lack of helpful reform in the Common Agricultural Policy, new legislative restrictions on seeds and a persistent move towards private industry controlling the seed markets has led to further intensification of agriculture and the disempowerment of farmers. But individuals, farmers, communities and non-government organisations are fighting back. Their actions are sometimes even supported with new national and European legislation and funding opportunities.

AGENDA FOR ACTION?

The main product of the "Earth Summit" will be an agreed programme of action: Agenda 21. As the final Preparatory Conference for the Earth Summit gets under way this month in New York, we look at those parts of Agenda 21 which deal with the conservation and utilization of genetic resources: biodiversity, biotechnology and sustainable agriculture.

The main product of the "Earth Summit" will be an agreed programme of action: Agenda 21. As the final Preparatory Conference for the Earth Summit gets under way this month in New York, we look at those parts of Agenda 21 which deal with the conservation and utilization of genetic resources: biodiversity, biotechnology and sustainable agriculture.

A dissapointing compromise

After seven long years of stormy negotiations at the FAO International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, a deal was finally struck on the rules of the game for sharing, conserving and using the world's crop genetic resources. But government delegates and NGOs alike were left feeling that many of the central issues remain unresolved and open to interpretation.

After seven long years of stormy negotiations at the FAO International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, a deal was finally struck on the rules of the game for sharing, conserving and using the world's crop genetic resources. But government delegates and NGOs alike were left feeling that many of the central issues remain unresolved and open to interpretation.