Under the cover of philanthropy: A monopoly machine at work by Pavan Kulkarni | 23 Mar 2018 corporations | technologies | intellectual property rights A good summary of the concerns about the role of philantropy pushing corporate agendas into health and agriculture programmes in the Global South. A good summary of the concerns about the role of philantropy pushing corporate agendas into health and agriculture programmes in the Global South.
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!
New mega-treaty in the pipeline: what does RCEP mean for farmers’ seeds in Asia? by GRAIN | 17 Mar 2016 seeds & biodiversity | laws & policies | intellectual property rights Signed in February 2016, the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) will have a major impact on farmers’ access to and control over seeds. The US-led agreement, which covers 12 countries of the Asia-Pacific region (excluding China), opens the door to trade in genetically modified seeds and encourages member countries to apply intellectual property rights to the realm of “traditional knowledge” about plants and animals. While the TPP is certainly cause for concern, another mega trade deal is being negotiated behind closed doors that could threaten farmer seed sovereignty in Asia even further. Signed in February 2016, the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) will have a major impact on farmers’ access to and control over seeds. The US-led agreement, which covers 12 countries of the Asia-Pacific region (excluding China), opens the door to trade in genetically modified seeds and encourages member countries to apply intellectual property rights to the realm of “traditional knowledge” about plants and animals. While the TPP is certainly cause for concern, another mega trade deal is being negotiated behind closed doors that could threaten farmer seed sovereignty in Asia even further.
Mexican rural organisations block Monsanto law to privatize seeds and plants by occupymonsanto360.org | 14 Jun 2012 Mexico | seeds and biodiversity | intellectual property rights | food sovereignty Progressive small farmer organizations in Mexico scored a victory over transnational corporations that seek to monopolize seed and food patents. When the corporations pushed their bill to modify the Federal Law on Plant Varieties through the Committee on Agriculture and Livestock of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies on March 14, organizations of farmers from across the country sounded the alarm. By organizing quickly, they joined together to pressure legislators and achieved an agreement with the legislative committee to remove the bill from the floor. Progressive small farmer organizations in Mexico scored a victory over transnational corporations that seek to monopolize seed and food patents. When the corporations pushed their bill to modify the Federal Law on Plant Varieties through the Committee on Agriculture and Livestock of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies on March 14, organizations of farmers from across the country sounded the alarm. By organizing quickly, they joined together to pressure legislators and achieved an agreement with the legislative committee to remove the bill from the floor.