Health Canada approves GM “Golden Rice” not intended for sale in Canada by Canadian Biotechnology Action Network | 20 Mar 2018 Canada | seeds & biodiversity March 20, 2018. Ottawa – Health Canada has announced its approval of the genetically modified (GM or genetically engineered) Vitamin A enhanced “Golden Rice” even though it is not intended for sale in Canada and has not yet been approved by regulators in the intended markets. March 20, 2018. Ottawa – Health Canada has announced its approval of the genetically modified (GM or genetically engineered) Vitamin A enhanced “Golden Rice” even though it is not intended for sale in Canada and has not yet been approved by regulators in the intended markets.
“Ghana’s plant breeders bill lacks legitimacy! It must be revised!” – CSOs tell Parliament by Food Sovereignty Ghana | 14 Mar 2018 Ghana | seeds & biodiversity The representatives included Food Sovereignty Ghana (FSG), Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), General Agricultural Workers Union – GAWU of TUC Ghana, Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organisational Development (CIKOD), and SNV Netherlands Development Organisation. The representatives included Food Sovereignty Ghana (FSG), Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana (PFAG), General Agricultural Workers Union – GAWU of TUC Ghana, Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Organisational Development (CIKOD), and SNV Netherlands Development Organisation.
"Trade agreements impact Kenyan farmers" an interview with Justus Lavi by Zahra Moloo | 22 Feb 2018 Kenya | corporations | seeds & biodiversity An interview with Justus Lavi Mwololo, National General Secretary of Kenya Small Scale Farmers’ Forum (KESSFF). An interview with Justus Lavi Mwololo, National General Secretary of Kenya Small Scale Farmers’ Forum (KESSFF).
Food security: Nurturing a new culture of contradictions by Ufrieda Ho, Daily Maverick | 15 Dec 2017 South Africa | seeds & biodiversity A first-ever national seed dialogue in South Africa strengthens the push-back against the bulging muscles of corporate and state control over seed and food production. UFRIEDA HO reports. A first-ever national seed dialogue in South Africa strengthens the push-back against the bulging muscles of corporate and state control over seed and food production. UFRIEDA HO reports.
Farmer groups hit PhilRice for renewed push to field and feed test Golden Rice by MASIPAG | 8 Nov 2017 Philippines | seeds & biodiversity Farmer-scientist group Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura or MASIPAG hit PhilRice for its renewed push to open field test and feed test Golden Rice. Farmer-scientist group Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura or MASIPAG hit PhilRice for its renewed push to open field test and feed test Golden Rice.
Syrian seeds shake up Europe’s plant patent regime by By Mark Schapiro | 8 Nov 2017 Italy | Syrian Arab Republic | seeds & biodiversity Salvatore Ceccarelli knew he was engaging in a subversive act when, in 2010, he took two 20 kilo sacks of bread and durum wheat seeds from a seed bank outside of Aleppo, Syria and brought them to Italy during a visit back to his home country. Now, seven years later, those seeds from the Fertile Crescent, the birthplace of domesticated agriculture, with thousands of years of evolution behind them, are poised to challenge the system of plant patenting in Europe, and, soon enough perhaps, the United States. Salvatore Ceccarelli knew he was engaging in a subversive act when, in 2010, he took two 20 kilo sacks of bread and durum wheat seeds from a seed bank outside of Aleppo, Syria and brought them to Italy during a visit back to his home country. Now, seven years later, those seeds from the Fertile Crescent, the birthplace of domesticated agriculture, with thousands of years of evolution behind them, are poised to challenge the system of plant patenting in Europe, and, soon enough perhaps, the United States.
People's summit against RCEP by Forum Against FTAs | 20 Jul 2017 India | corporations | seeds & biodiversity | intellectual property rights Join us at the People's summit against RCEP in Hyderabad, India, starting Saturday 22 July! Join us at the People's summit against RCEP in Hyderabad, India, starting Saturday 22 July!
Transgenic corruption by Darío Aranda | 20 Jun 2017 Argentina | corporations | seeds & biodiversity The agency that approves GM crops in Argentina is stuffed with employees of GMO-producing agroindustrial companies and scientists with conflicts of interest. The agency that approves GM crops in Argentina is stuffed with employees of GMO-producing agroindustrial companies and scientists with conflicts of interest.
The right to seeds: a fundamental right for small farmers! by Coordination SUD | 12 Jun 2017 food sovereignty | seeds & biodiversity Without seeds, there is no agriculture. Since the beginning of farming, over 10,000 years ago, farmers have selected the best seeds from their harvests to plant in the next season, to exchange, or to sell informally. In this way they select the plants, from the varieties they have, that really correspond to their needs and to the usual diet of the local population. Owing to this selection, these varieties evolve over the years to adapt to the soil in which they grow and to climate changes. These practices are thus conducive to constant improvement and diversification of the biodiversity cultivated. Without seeds, there is no agriculture. Since the beginning of farming, over 10,000 years ago, farmers have selected the best seeds from their harvests to plant in the next season, to exchange, or to sell informally. In this way they select the plants, from the varieties they have, that really correspond to their needs and to the usual diet of the local population. Owing to this selection, these varieties evolve over the years to adapt to the soil in which they grow and to climate changes. These practices are thus conducive to constant improvement and diversification of the biodiversity cultivated.
Urgent action to help GM-free Ecuador by Red por una América Latina Libre de Transgénicos (RALLT) | 23 May 2017 Ecuador | seeds & biodiversity | GMOs The Constitution of Ecuador declared the country "Free of Transgenic Seeds and Crops". Now, a few days after finishing his term, outgoing President Correa vetoes the seeds law, which would allow transgenic seeds and crops to enter Ecuador for research purposes. The Constitution of Ecuador declared the country "Free of Transgenic Seeds and Crops". Now, a few days after finishing his term, outgoing President Correa vetoes the seeds law, which would allow transgenic seeds and crops to enter Ecuador for research purposes.
Seeds of rural renewal sown in Senegal by Cissokho Lassana, IRIN | 19 May 2017 Senegal | climate crisis | seeds & biodiversity For several decades, the prospect of a better life has prompted countless inhabitants of rural parts of Africa to head to cities. In Senegal’s Fuladu region, a local initiative aimed at making agriculture more viable aims to reverse that trend. It revolves around seeds. For several decades, the prospect of a better life has prompted countless inhabitants of rural parts of Africa to head to cities. In Senegal’s Fuladu region, a local initiative aimed at making agriculture more viable aims to reverse that trend. It revolves around seeds.
Declaration of the international meetings of the resistances to GMOs by Food Sovereignty Ghana | 9 May 2017 France | seeds & biodiversity | GMOs About 130 people from 28 countries participated at the second International Convergence of the Resistance against GMOs. About 130 people from 28 countries participated at the second International Convergence of the Resistance against GMOs.
Asia farmers decry revival of Golden Rice field trials by Stop Golden Rice! Network | 20 Apr 2017 Philippines | seeds & biodiversity | GMOs Amidst the celebration of Earth Day, farmers and civil societies coming from India, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, as well as regional organizations such as the Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific, Asian Peasants Coalition and GRAIN, called for the utmost protection and preservation of the environment by rejecting destructive and corporate dominated technologies such as Golden rice and GM crops that are presently threatening the lives and livelihood of Asian farmers. Amidst the celebration of Earth Day, farmers and civil societies coming from India, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, as well as regional organizations such as the Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific, Asian Peasants Coalition and GRAIN, called for the utmost protection and preservation of the environment by rejecting destructive and corporate dominated technologies such as Golden rice and GM crops that are presently threatening the lives and livelihood of Asian farmers.
Top five reasons why we must block agrichemical and seed mega-mergers by Antonio Roman-Alcalá | 13 Mar 2017 United States | corporations | seeds & biodiversity Antonio Roman-Alcalá, sustainable food campaigner for Friends of the Earth US, shares why agrichemical and seed mega-mergers are harmful to the food system. Antonio Roman-Alcalá, sustainable food campaigner for Friends of the Earth US, shares why agrichemical and seed mega-mergers are harmful to the food system.
Agroecology: the bold future of farming in Africa by AFSA | 22 Feb 2017 seeds & biodiversity The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) today launched a publication highlighting the huge potential of agroecology to feed Africa, fix broken food systems and repair damaged landscapes, providing abundant healthy and nutritious food sustainably while increasing incomes and improving climate resilience. The 88 page illustrated book showcases 15 case studies, showing how agroecology benefits Africa in terms of food and nutrition, livelihoods, restoration of biodiversity, knowledge and innovation, and climate change resilience. The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) today launched a publication highlighting the huge potential of agroecology to feed Africa, fix broken food systems and repair damaged landscapes, providing abundant healthy and nutritious food sustainably while increasing incomes and improving climate resilience. The 88 page illustrated book showcases 15 case studies, showing how agroecology benefits Africa in terms of food and nutrition, livelihoods, restoration of biodiversity, knowledge and innovation, and climate change resilience.