Bid to lift hybrid rice yield to 15 tonnes a hectare slammed by South China Morning Post | 4 Dec 2012 China | seeds & biodiversity Rival researchers say Professor Yuan's bid to reach 15 tonnes a hectare is too costly and risks making rice vulnerable to pests and weather. "The rice was created for one purpose, and that's the personal obsession of Yuan to increase yield." Rival researchers say Professor Yuan's bid to reach 15 tonnes a hectare is too costly and risks making rice vulnerable to pests and weather. "The rice was created for one purpose, and that's the personal obsession of Yuan to increase yield."
Move toward new Pan-African IP organisation alarms observers by William New | 28 Sep 2012 seeds & biodiversity | laws & policies A seemingly remote African Union proposal to create a Pan-African Intellectual Property Organization appears to have gained momentum and will come before African science and technology ministers for review in early November, according to sources. A copy of the final draft statutes shows how the new body would operate, and for some observers, how it would elevate African IP standards well above current levels, with “disastrous consequences” for access, development, and human rights. A seemingly remote African Union proposal to create a Pan-African Intellectual Property Organization appears to have gained momentum and will come before African science and technology ministers for review in early November, according to sources. A copy of the final draft statutes shows how the new body would operate, and for some observers, how it would elevate African IP standards well above current levels, with “disastrous consequences” for access, development, and human rights.
Seeds of freedom - the movie by Gaia, ABN | 13 Jun 2012 Ethiopia | India | United States | corporations | seeds & biodiversity Seeds of Freedom charts the story of seed from its roots at the heart of traditional, diversity rich farming systems across the world, to being transformed into a powerful commodity, used to monopolise the global food system. Worth to see! Seeds of Freedom charts the story of seed from its roots at the heart of traditional, diversity rich farming systems across the world, to being transformed into a powerful commodity, used to monopolise the global food system. Worth to see!
Civil society open letter to EU institutions for a better seed legislation by Pierre Sultana | 29 Apr 2012 EU | seeds & biodiversity | actions The European Commission (DG SANCO) is presently working on a review of EU legislation on the Marketing of Seed and Propagating Material. Arche Noah invites you to join an open letter demanding positive change in favour of biodiversity, small farmers, seed savers and consumers. The European Commission (DG SANCO) is presently working on a review of EU legislation on the Marketing of Seed and Propagating Material. Arche Noah invites you to join an open letter demanding positive change in favour of biodiversity, small farmers, seed savers and consumers.
Farewell, Erna by GRAIN | 10 Jan 2012 seeds & biodiversity | laws & policies It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Dr. Erna Bennett on 3 January 2011 at her home in Scotland. Erna was a world-renown geneticist, and a tireless fighter against the corporate take over of peasants' seeds. We would like to share with you an article that she wrote for us 10 years ago. It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Dr. Erna Bennett on 3 January 2011 at her home in Scotland. Erna was a world-renown geneticist, and a tireless fighter against the corporate take over of peasants' seeds. We would like to share with you an article that she wrote for us 10 years ago.
STOP Monsanto in Nepal by STOP Monsanto in Nepal | 10 Jan 2012 Nepal | seeds & biodiversity | actions On September 13th the US embassy announced USAID, Monsanto and the Government of Nepal were forming a partnership to promote hybrid maize in Nepal. A campaign has been launched to stop the introduction of Monsanto's hybrid maize in Nepal and promote local seeds. On September 13th the US embassy announced USAID, Monsanto and the Government of Nepal were forming a partnership to promote hybrid maize in Nepal. A campaign has been launched to stop the introduction of Monsanto's hybrid maize in Nepal and promote local seeds.
On seeds: controlling the first link in the food-chain by Nidhi Tandon | 15 Nov 2011 United States | technologies | seeds & biodiversity Thanks to the US’s 2009 Global Food Security Act, food aid policy for the first time mandates the use of genetic modification technologies. Nidhi Tandon looks at how this legislation helps biotechnology companies monopolise the seed industry at the expense of farmers, and explores some of the dubious links between these corporations, the Gates Foundation and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa. Good update and overview article Thanks to the US’s 2009 Global Food Security Act, food aid policy for the first time mandates the use of genetic modification technologies. Nidhi Tandon looks at how this legislation helps biotechnology companies monopolise the seed industry at the expense of farmers, and explores some of the dubious links between these corporations, the Gates Foundation and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa. Good update and overview article
Let’s liberate diversity 2012 by | 5 Oct 2011 seeds & biodiversity | actions The next Let’s Liberate Diversity forum will take place in the Scottish Highlands from 9-11 March 2012. The next Let’s Liberate Diversity forum will take place in the Scottish Highlands from 9-11 March 2012.
Native seeds in danger of being monopolised by Pamela Sepulveda | 18 Jul 2011 Chile | seeds & biodiversity Chile recently ratified a treaty that could threaten biodiversity and endanger the rights of small farmers, critics say. Chile recently ratified a treaty that could threaten biodiversity and endanger the rights of small farmers, critics say.
Seeds and farmers' rights: how international regulations affect farmer seeds by BEDE/RSP | 12 Jul 2011 seeds & biodiversity A new dossier for debate published by BEDE (Biodiversity Exchange and Diffusion of Experiences) and RSP (the French Peasant Seeds Network) A new dossier for debate published by BEDE (Biodiversity Exchange and Diffusion of Experiences) and RSP (the French Peasant Seeds Network)
EU seed laws (official consultation) by | 19 May 2011 seeds & biodiversity The European Union is reviewing its seed marketing legislation. What does it mean? Who will benefit? The European Union is reviewing its seed marketing legislation. What does it mean? Who will benefit?
Eco-farming can double food production in 10 years by | 8 Mar 2011 food crisis | seeds & biodiversity | food sovereignty According to the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food. He's right. Read his study. According to the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food. He's right. Read his study.
Open source seeds? by | 24 Sep 2010 corporations | seeds & biodiversity | food sovereignty An interesting proposal by Jack Kloppenburg to defend seeds learning from the open source software movement An interesting proposal by Jack Kloppenburg to defend seeds learning from the open source software movement