Poisoning the well: the genetic pollution of maize by GRAIN | 26 Jan 2003 Seedling - January 2003 The worst-case scenario envisioned, bythe introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops, has now taken place. GM maize has been planted in Mexico, the crop's centre of origin and diversity, and it has been contaminating this priceless gene pool. Although many in the official circles are still in denial, GRAIN asks what must be done to clean up the mess. The worst-case scenario envisioned, bythe introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops, has now taken place. GM maize has been planted in Mexico, the crop's centre of origin and diversity, and it has been contaminating this priceless gene pool. Although many in the official circles are still in denial, GRAIN asks what must be done to clean up the mess.
Losing Livestock, Losing Livelihoods by Susanne Gura and the League for Pastoral Peoples | 24 Jan 2003 Seedling - January 2003 Although less talked about, the loss of biodiversity in domestic animals is even more acute than in crops, because the gene pool is already much smaller and because fewer wild relatives remain. Livestock conservation programmes have not been a priority and local breeds are continuing to disappear at an alarming rate. This neglect poses a serious threat to the global food supply and the millions of people who depend on domestic animals for their livelihoods Although less talked about, the loss of biodiversity in domestic animals is even more acute than in crops, because the gene pool is already much smaller and because fewer wild relatives remain. Livestock conservation programmes have not been a priority and local breeds are continuing to disappear at an alarming rate. This neglect poses a serious threat to the global food supply and the millions of people who depend on domestic animals for their livelihoods
The native sheep of Chiapas: A story of fleeces, global markets and women in woollen skirts by Raul Perezgrovas | 22 Jan 2003 Seedling - January 2003 In Mexico, the boom time enjoyed after introducing crossbred sheep was short-lived as globalisation destroyed internal and external markets for the Mexican industry. But in the highlands of Chiapas, Tzotzil shepherdesses managed successfully to side-step globalisation and hold on to their cherished local breeds. Now Chiapas is one of the few remaining areas of Mexico where sheep - especially native sheep - are thriving. In Mexico, the boom time enjoyed after introducing crossbred sheep was short-lived as globalisation destroyed internal and external markets for the Mexican industry. But in the highlands of Chiapas, Tzotzil shepherdesses managed successfully to side-step globalisation and hold on to their cherished local breeds. Now Chiapas is one of the few remaining areas of Mexico where sheep - especially native sheep - are thriving.
Pastoral life in Iran: a changing landscape by CENESTA | 20 Jan 2003 Seedling - January 2003 Over recent decades Iran's pastoralists have been experiencing changes that have totally altered the social, political and economic landscapes through which they must navigate. To discover the impact of these changes on local breeds, a group of pastoralists were gathered from throughout the country to discuss their experiences. The dialogue was facilitated by Taghi Farvar and Maryam Rahmanian of Irans Centre for Sustainable Development (CENESTA) Over recent decades Iran's pastoralists have been experiencing changes that have totally altered the social, political and economic landscapes through which they must navigate. To discover the impact of these changes on local breeds, a group of pastoralists were gathered from throughout the country to discuss their experiences. The dialogue was facilitated by Taghi Farvar and Maryam Rahmanian of Irans Centre for Sustainable Development (CENESTA)
with Carlos Correa by GRAIN | 18 Jan 2003 Seedling - January 2003 GRAIN's article in the October 2002 issue of Seedling entitled Biopiracy by another name: a review of the FAO-CGIAR trusteeship system stimulated quite some debate. To air some of the sticky points, we asked intellectual property rights expert Carlos Correa to share his views. GRAIN's article in the October 2002 issue of Seedling entitled Biopiracy by another name: a review of the FAO-CGIAR trusteeship system stimulated quite some debate. To air some of the sticky points, we asked intellectual property rights expert Carlos Correa to share his views.