Thai farmers and civic groups protest UPOV lobby by Bangkok Post | 21 Nov 2013 Thailand | seeds & biodiversity | laws & policies | actions A group of farmers gather at the Department of Agriculture (DOA) in Bang Khen district yesterday to voice their opposition to the planned ratification of the 1991 International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). The farmers submitted a protest letter to Martin Ekvad, the UPOV executive who briefed DOA officials about the convention. A group of farmers gather at the Department of Agriculture (DOA) in Bang Khen district yesterday to voice their opposition to the planned ratification of the 1991 International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). The farmers submitted a protest letter to Martin Ekvad, the UPOV executive who briefed DOA officials about the convention.
ARIPO’S plant variety protection law criminalises farmers and undermines seed systems in Africa by Allliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa | 18 Oct 2013 seeds & biodiversity | laws & policies The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa is gravely concerned about a draft law developed under the auspices of the Africa Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO), dealing with a harmonised regional legal framework for the protection of plant breeders’ rights, titled ‘Draft Regional Policy and Legal Framework for Plant Variety Protection’. ARIPO is in the process of seeking the approval of its Member States to adopt the legal framework, possibly at the next ARIPO Administrative Council and Council of Ministers meeting due to take place 25–29 November 2013 in Kampala, Uganda. The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa is gravely concerned about a draft law developed under the auspices of the Africa Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO), dealing with a harmonised regional legal framework for the protection of plant breeders’ rights, titled ‘Draft Regional Policy and Legal Framework for Plant Variety Protection’. ARIPO is in the process of seeking the approval of its Member States to adopt the legal framework, possibly at the next ARIPO Administrative Council and Council of Ministers meeting due to take place 25–29 November 2013 in Kampala, Uganda.
Monsanto Suspends Construction in Córdoba Due to Protests by Argentina Independent | 3 Oct 2013 Argentina | corporations | seeds & biodiversity Monsanto has been forced to put construction of its plant in Malvinas Argentinas, Córdoba, on hold as protesters blockade an access road, citing concerns over the health risks and contamination from the plant’s activity. Monsanto has been forced to put construction of its plant in Malvinas Argentinas, Córdoba, on hold as protesters blockade an access road, citing concerns over the health risks and contamination from the plant’s activity.
COMESA approval of seed trade regulations spells disaster for small farmers and food sovereignty in Africa by Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa | 2 Oct 2013 seeds & biodiversity | laws & policies The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa strongly condemns the approval of draft Seed Trade Harmonization Regulations by COMESA's Council of Ministers in September which will only facilitate agricultural transformation in member states towards industrialization of farming systems based on the logic of the controversial, failed and hopelessly doomed Green Revolution model of agriculture. The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa strongly condemns the approval of draft Seed Trade Harmonization Regulations by COMESA's Council of Ministers in September which will only facilitate agricultural transformation in member states towards industrialization of farming systems based on the logic of the controversial, failed and hopelessly doomed Green Revolution model of agriculture.
Take ‘mosaic’ approach to agriculture, boost support for small farmers, UNCTAD Report urges by UNCTAD | 19 Sep 2013 food sovereignty | seeds & biodiversity Farming in rich and poor nations alike should shift from monoculture towards greater varieties of crops, reduced use of fertilizers and other inputs, greater support for small-scale farmers, and more locally focused production and consumption of food, a new UNCTAD report recommends. Farming in rich and poor nations alike should shift from monoculture towards greater varieties of crops, reduced use of fertilizers and other inputs, greater support for small-scale farmers, and more locally focused production and consumption of food, a new UNCTAD report recommends.
Our seed, our sovereignty - seed law victory in Indonesia by Indonesian Human Rights Committee for Social Justice | 22 Aug 2013 Indonesia | seeds & biodiversity | laws & policies Since 2005, 14 farmer breeders in East Java have been prosecuted for "stealing seed" from corporations. But a judicial review by Indonesia's constitutional court has just found key parts of the law used to go after the farmers are unconstitutional. Since 2005, 14 farmer breeders in East Java have been prosecuted for "stealing seed" from corporations. But a judicial review by Indonesia's constitutional court has just found key parts of the law used to go after the farmers are unconstitutional.
Africa’s food sovereignty under attack by corporate Interests by Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa | 21 Aug 2013 food sovereignty | seeds & biodiversity Africa’s diversity and knowledge systems are being threatened by corporate and genetically modified (GM) seeds, agro-chemicals, resource grabs and laws that prevent farmers from freely using, sharing or selling their seed. Africa’s diversity and knowledge systems are being threatened by corporate and genetically modified (GM) seeds, agro-chemicals, resource grabs and laws that prevent farmers from freely using, sharing or selling their seed.
"From planting to plate" by Let's Liberate Diversity | 10 Jul 2013 seeds & biodiversity | actions The Let's Liberate Diversity! Forum is an annual gathering of farmers, seed-savers and groups from all across Europe who are working on bringing agricultural biodiversity to life on farms and in gardens. This year the forum will devote special attention to practices - 'from planting to plate' - which contribute to the sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity as outlined in the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The Let's Liberate Diversity! Forum is an annual gathering of farmers, seed-savers and groups from all across Europe who are working on bringing agricultural biodiversity to life on farms and in gardens. This year the forum will devote special attention to practices - 'from planting to plate' - which contribute to the sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity as outlined in the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
US Embassy must be open and transparent on GMO debate in Ghana by Food Sovereignty Ghana | 9 Jul 2013 Ghana | technologies | seeds & biodiversity Following our call for a moratorium on genetically modified foods and crops in Ghana, Food Sovereignty Ghana has received an invitation from the US Embassy in Accra to a CLOSED DOOR “Roundtable Discussion and an Interdisciplinary Presentation on Biotechnology at the US Embassy on July 10”. Following our call for a moratorium on genetically modified foods and crops in Ghana, Food Sovereignty Ghana has received an invitation from the US Embassy in Accra to a CLOSED DOOR “Roundtable Discussion and an Interdisciplinary Presentation on Biotechnology at the US Embassy on July 10”.
Choice of Monsanto Betrays World Food Prize Purpose, Say Global Leaders by Francis Moore Lappé and Anna Lappé | 27 Jun 2013 seeds & biodiversity In honoring the seed biotechnology industry, this year's World Food Prize -- to many, the most prestigious prize in food and agriculture -- betrays the award's own mandate to emphasize "the importance of a nutritious and sustainable food supply for all people." In honoring the seed biotechnology industry, this year's World Food Prize -- to many, the most prestigious prize in food and agriculture -- betrays the award's own mandate to emphasize "the importance of a nutritious and sustainable food supply for all people."
Is Africa about to lose the right to her seed? by Glenn Ashton | 23 Apr 2013 food sovereignty | seeds & biodiversity | laws & policies Seed and the control of seed lies at the heart of agriculture. In Africa around 80% of seed comes from local and community saved seed resources. This seed is adapted to local conditions. It forms an integral part of community food security and agricultural integrity. This entire traditional system is now under threat. Seed and the control of seed lies at the heart of agriculture. In Africa around 80% of seed comes from local and community saved seed resources. This seed is adapted to local conditions. It forms an integral part of community food security and agricultural integrity. This entire traditional system is now under threat.
New seed legislation spells disaster for small farmers in Africa by ACB and others | 3 Apr 2013 Kenya | South Africa | Tanzania | Uganda | Zimbabwe | corporations | seeds & biodiversity | actions Civil society organisations from the SADC region, and around the world have condemned the SADC draft Protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (Plant Breeders’ Rights) as spelling disaster for small farmers and food security in the region. These groups, representing millions of farmers in Africa and around the world have submitted their concerns to the SADC Secretariat. They are calling for the rejection of the Protocol and urgent consultations with farmers, farmer movements and civil society before it’s too late. Civil society organisations from the SADC region, and around the world have condemned the SADC draft Protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (Plant Breeders’ Rights) as spelling disaster for small farmers and food security in the region. These groups, representing millions of farmers in Africa and around the world have submitted their concerns to the SADC Secretariat. They are calling for the rejection of the Protocol and urgent consultations with farmers, farmer movements and civil society before it’s too late.
Tunis 2013: If we rely on corporate seed, we lose food sovereignty by Via Campesina, GRAIN, ETC Group | 2 Apr 2013 corporations | seeds & biodiversity It has become crucial to defend seeds. In the past 20 or 30 years, what was once seen as normal – peasant farmers growing, selecting, saving and exchanging seeds – has come under attack from corporations seeking to control and commodify the very basis of agriculture. This was the subject of the session at the World Social Forum in Tunis on Peasant Seeds jointly organized on March 28, 2013 by La Vía Campesina, GRAIN and the ETC Group. It has become crucial to defend seeds. In the past 20 or 30 years, what was once seen as normal – peasant farmers growing, selecting, saving and exchanging seeds – has come under attack from corporations seeking to control and commodify the very basis of agriculture. This was the subject of the session at the World Social Forum in Tunis on Peasant Seeds jointly organized on March 28, 2013 by La Vía Campesina, GRAIN and the ETC Group.
Argentina's bad seeds by Al Jazeera | 18 Mar 2013 Argentina | land grabbing | corporations | seeds & biodiversity The country's soya industry is booming, but what is the impact on Argentinians and their land? Al Jazeera investigates. The country's soya industry is booming, but what is the impact on Argentinians and their land? Al Jazeera investigates.
And now.... GM potatoes in Peru? by Associacion ANDES | 1 Feb 2013 Peru | corporations | seeds & biodiversity After the Mexican government shocked the world last December with its plans to allow for the planting of GM maize in the heart of this crops center of diversity, now the same tragedy seems to be going to be allowed in Peru, the centre of patato diversity. Indigenous people raise the alarm. After the Mexican government shocked the world last December with its plans to allow for the planting of GM maize in the heart of this crops center of diversity, now the same tragedy seems to be going to be allowed in Peru, the centre of patato diversity. Indigenous people raise the alarm.