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.
Mozambique: Nampula civil society reaffirms call to halt ProSavana by Nampula Civil Society Provincial Platform (PPOSC-N) | 8 Oct 2013 Mozambique | land grabbing Civil society organisations in Nampula do not recognise ProSavana as a programme that will protect the interests of small-scale farmers, who see their life steadily deteriorating. Civil society organisations in Nampula do not recognise ProSavana as a programme that will protect the interests of small-scale farmers, who see their life steadily deteriorating.
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.
Nyéléni 15: Smallholder agri-investments by Nyéléni | 30 Sep 2013 land grabbing | corporations In October the World Committee on Food Security (CFS) will meet to discuss principles for ‘Responsible investments in agriculture’. We must shout out the message that not all investment is the same. And ask important questions - Investment in what type of agriculture? By whom? For whose benefit? In October the World Committee on Food Security (CFS) will meet to discuss principles for ‘Responsible investments in agriculture’. We must shout out the message that not all investment is the same. And ask important questions - Investment in what type of agriculture? By whom? For whose benefit?
Message to Brazilian agribusiness congressmen by InterContinental Cry | 20 Sep 2013 Brazil | laws & policies The National Congress of Brazil will soon be deciding on a proposed constitutional amendment that would give the Congress exclusive authority to decide where the boundaries of all indigenous lands lie, including any lands previously demarcated and ratified by the Executive Branch of the government. Worried about the future of his people, a Guarani man called Pedro Vicente Karai Miri recorded this message to the congressmen. The National Congress of Brazil will soon be deciding on a proposed constitutional amendment that would give the Congress exclusive authority to decide where the boundaries of all indigenous lands lie, including any lands previously demarcated and ratified by the Executive Branch of the government. Worried about the future of his people, a Guarani man called Pedro Vicente Karai Miri recorded this message to the congressmen.
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.
Factory Food From Above: Satellite Images of Industrial Farms by Brandon Keim | 17 Sep 2013 United States | corporations | climate crisis | food sovereignty Seen from a satellite, an industrial feedlot has a sort of abstract beauty. The washes of colors, the juxtaposition of organic and rigid geometries, initially obscure the subject. Then comes the realization: That’s where our food comes from. Seen from a satellite, an industrial feedlot has a sort of abstract beauty. The washes of colors, the juxtaposition of organic and rigid geometries, initially obscure the subject. Then comes the realization: That’s where our food comes from.
Half of China's antibiotics now go to livestock by Mother Jones | 10 Sep 2013 China | United States | corporations Tom Philpott explains how China's booming use of antibiotics in meat production stems from its following of a model of industrial livestock farming developed by US corporations. Tom Philpott explains how China's booming use of antibiotics in meat production stems from its following of a model of industrial livestock farming developed by US corporations.
Why unions need to join the climate fight by Naomi Klein | 5 Sep 2013 Canada | corporations | climate crisis Naomi Klein, addressing the founding convention of a new Canadian workers union, arguing that the fight against the climate crisis should be at the centre of their struggle. Radical, refreshing and cutting through myths and stereotypes. Naomi Klein, addressing the founding convention of a new Canadian workers union, arguing that the fight against the climate crisis should be at the centre of their struggle. Radical, refreshing and cutting through myths and stereotypes.
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.
Our coming food crisis by Gary Nabhan | 24 Jul 2013 United States | climate crisis So you thought that the climate crisis will mostly affect poor farmers in the tropics? Here's a sobering account in the New York Times on what's happing to farmers in the US South West, by Gary Nabhan. Pluse a battery of sensible proposals of what could be done. Problem is that the main farmers organisations and agribusness aren't interested. So you thought that the climate crisis will mostly affect poor farmers in the tropics? Here's a sobering account in the New York Times on what's happing to farmers in the US South West, by Gary Nabhan. Pluse a battery of sensible proposals of what could be done. Problem is that the main farmers organisations and agribusness aren't interested.
Calling in the corporates by Frontline | 11 Jul 2013 corporations The latest issue of Frontline magazine focuses on the push to expand corporate agriculture in India. The latest issue of Frontline magazine focuses on the push to expand corporate agriculture in India.
"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.