FAREWELL, CHRISTIAN by Erna Bennett | 15 May 1993 Seedling - May 1993 Next month, June 1993, the renowned Gatersleben genebank in the former East Germany will celebrate its 50th anniversary. One man will be missing from the festivities: Christian Lehmann, who devoted his life to genetic resources and the success of the genebank. For next month is also the first anniversary of Lehmann 's unexpected death, which came at a time in his life when he was gearing up to work more closely with NGOs and community-based conservation initiatives. The following farewell was written for "Seedling" by Erna Bennett, also one of the greatest geneticists of this century and a revolutionary woman committed to people 's control over genetic resources. Erna was a stone setter in the move to get a global genetic conservation scheme set up in the 1960s, but now works actively with NGOs all over the world to secure viable and equitable farmer based approaches. Christian was her personal friend and colleague, so it is only apt that Erna offers him our collective farewell. Next month, June 1993, the renowned Gatersleben genebank in the former East Germany will celebrate its 50th anniversary. One man will be missing from the festivities: Christian Lehmann, who devoted his life to genetic resources and the success of the genebank. For next month is also the first anniversary of Lehmann 's unexpected death, which came at a time in his life when he was gearing up to work more closely with NGOs and community-based conservation initiatives. The following farewell was written for "Seedling" by Erna Bennett, also one of the greatest geneticists of this century and a revolutionary woman committed to people 's control over genetic resources. Erna was a stone setter in the move to get a global genetic conservation scheme set up in the 1960s, but now works actively with NGOs all over the world to secure viable and equitable farmer based approaches. Christian was her personal friend and colleague, so it is only apt that Erna offers him our collective farewell.
April 2007 by GRAIN | 22 Apr 2007 Seedling - April 2007 Read the editorial here & download full issue (pdf) Read the editorial here & download full issue (pdf)
Collective rights over farmers' seeds in Italy by GRAIN | 18 Jul 2005 Seedling - July 2005 In Italy, eight of the 18 administrative regions have adopted their own laws on local genetic resources since 1997. They generally aim to protect and promote traditional plant varieties and animal breeds in local farming systems as a heritage of the region. Since 2000, when the regional law of Latium was adopted, they also establish collective rights over the local genetic heritage. Below is an extract from an interview with Antonio Onorati, President of the Italian development NGO Crocevia, who has been very much involved in this movement. This segment focuses on the experience with collective rights in Italy and strategy ideas for protecting farmers ' seeds in Europe. The full interview can be accessed on the web at http://www.grain.org/seedling/?id=336 In Italy, eight of the 18 administrative regions have adopted their own laws on local genetic resources since 1997. They generally aim to protect and promote traditional plant varieties and animal breeds in local farming systems as a heritage of the region. Since 2000, when the regional law of Latium was adopted, they also establish collective rights over the local genetic heritage. Below is an extract from an interview with Antonio Onorati, President of the Italian development NGO Crocevia, who has been very much involved in this movement. This segment focuses on the experience with collective rights in Italy and strategy ideas for protecting farmers ' seeds in Europe. The full interview can be accessed on the web at http://www.grain.org/seedling/?id=336
IARCS WANT TO PATENT SEEDS by GRAIN | 25 Oct 1991 Seedling - October 1991 In a move intended to facilitate access to increasingly privatised biotechnologies, the Green Revolution Institutes are now contemplating not "whether" but "how best" to start claiming intellectual property rights over seeds collected from farmers ' fields throughout the Third World. GRAIN and many other NGOs and scientists are deeply disturbed by the proposals and urge Seedling readers to present their concerns to the relevant centres. In a move intended to facilitate access to increasingly privatised biotechnologies, the Green Revolution Institutes are now contemplating not "whether" but "how best" to start claiming intellectual property rights over seeds collected from farmers ' fields throughout the Third World. GRAIN and many other NGOs and scientists are deeply disturbed by the proposals and urge Seedling readers to present their concerns to the relevant centres.
Sharing FTA experiences by GRAIN | 22 Oct 2006 Seedling - October 2006 As FTAs (free trade agreements) are being signed around the world, their impact on society as a force pushing for deregulation and privatisation is starting to be felt. And grassroots struggles are fighting back. But these struggles, on varying issues, are often cut off from each other. So in July 2006 a workshop brought together 60 participants, from 19 countries, all of whom have been fighting FTAs, to share their experiences and to build a strategy to fight FTAs. As FTAs (free trade agreements) are being signed around the world, their impact on society as a force pushing for deregulation and privatisation is starting to be felt. And grassroots struggles are fighting back. But these struggles, on varying issues, are often cut off from each other. So in July 2006 a workshop brought together 60 participants, from 19 countries, all of whom have been fighting FTAs, to share their experiences and to build a strategy to fight FTAs.
The corporation - psychopathic and immortal by GRAIN | 12 Oct 2005 Seedling - October 2005 Review and summary by GRAIN of the book and film "The Corporation" by Joel Bakan. Review and summary by GRAIN of the book and film "The Corporation" by Joel Bakan.
In this special agrofuels issue... by GRAIN | 28 Jul 2007 Seedling - July 2007 We are devoting almost all of this edition to a single topic – the rapid expansion of biofuels across much of the globe. Read the editorial. We are devoting almost all of this edition to a single topic – the rapid expansion of biofuels across much of the globe. Read the editorial.
October 2007 by GRAIN | 30 Oct 2007 Seedling - October 2007 Editor's notes on what's in this issue, plus download the whole of the Seedling issue in PDF format. Editor's notes on what's in this issue, plus download the whole of the Seedling issue in PDF format.
What's wrong with rights ? by GRAIN | 28 Oct 2007 Seedling - October 2007 GRAIN invited a group of people around the world to reflect on their concepts of rights and how they affect people’s lives and welfare. This issue editorial. GRAIN invited a group of people around the world to reflect on their concepts of rights and how they affect people’s lives and welfare. This issue editorial.
Editorial and full issue by GRAIN | 30 Apr 2008 Seedling - April 2008 Read editorial & download the whole Seedling in one file (pdf) Read editorial & download the whole Seedling in one file (pdf)
Seeds of information by compiled by GRAIN | 8 Jan 2009 Seedling - January 2009 President Clinton said "We blew it.... we all have to go back to a more environmentally responsible, sustainable form of agriculture.” and other smaller items of interest. This section of Seedling is devoted to short topical items. We welcome contributions from readers. Please send them to [email protected] or to our postal address in Barcelona. President Clinton said "We blew it.... we all have to go back to a more environmentally responsible, sustainable form of agriculture.” and other smaller items of interest. This section of Seedling is devoted to short topical items. We welcome contributions from readers. Please send them to [email protected] or to our postal address in Barcelona.
Bt Cotton in Andhra Pradesh - a three year assessment by Deccan Development Society, Andhra Pradesh Coalition in Defence of Diversity, Permaculture Association of India | 3 May 2005
Download full issue (pdf) by GRAIN | 13 Oct 2010 Seedling - October 2010 The October 2010 issue of Seedling features an article by GRAIN on the global expansion of industrial meat production and the rise of a new crop of transnational meat corporations based in countries of the South. In another article, GRAIN looks at what's happening on the climate change front with a special focus on the outcome of the Peoples Summit in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Also in this issue, are two articles by the World Rainforest Movement, one on the push for "carbon shopping in forests" and another on the Roundtable for Responsible Palm Oil's role in expanding monoculture oil palm plantations. Plus, South African researcher Rachel Wynberg takes a critical look back at the experiences of the San peoples of southern Africa with the high-profile case of access-and-benefit sharing concerning the Hoodia plant. And more..... (download pdf version from document tools) The October 2010 issue of Seedling features an article by GRAIN on the global expansion of industrial meat production and the rise of a new crop of transnational meat corporations based in countries of the South. In another article, GRAIN looks at what's happening on the climate change front with a special focus on the outcome of the Peoples Summit in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Also in this issue, are two articles by the World Rainforest Movement, one on the push for "carbon shopping in forests" and another on the Roundtable for Responsible Palm Oil's role in expanding monoculture oil palm plantations. Plus, South African researcher Rachel Wynberg takes a critical look back at the experiences of the San peoples of southern Africa with the high-profile case of access-and-benefit sharing concerning the Hoodia plant. And more..... (download pdf version from document tools)