Liberating diversity: from defence to offence... by GRAIN | 15 Jan 2006 Seedling - January 2006 A European Seminar on Seeds entitled “Liberate Diversity” was held in Poitiers, France, in November 2005 A European Seminar on Seeds entitled “Liberate Diversity” was held in Poitiers, France, in November 2005
Twenty years of fighting for seeds and food sovereignty by GRAIN | 13 Jul 2010 Seedling - July 2010 A twentieth anniversary invites reflection. Reflection on where we came from, the path we have travelled, and the challenges ahead. Without pretending to provide a full analysis, we present below some discussion on this. In the process, we have talked to many of the people who have accompanied us over the last two decades, and asked them about the paths that they have taken, and for their reflections on the struggle for a better food system and a better world. Some of their responses are included in the text and accompanying boxes. A twentieth anniversary invites reflection. Reflection on where we came from, the path we have travelled, and the challenges ahead. Without pretending to provide a full analysis, we present below some discussion on this. In the process, we have talked to many of the people who have accompanied us over the last two decades, and asked them about the paths that they have taken, and for their reflections on the struggle for a better food system and a better world. Some of their responses are included in the text and accompanying boxes.
The Summit-to-Summit Merry-go-Round by Erna Bennett | 24 Jul 2002 Seedling - July 2002 The 'rights' issue around biodiversity has really taken off in the last 20 years. One of the first campaigners for a global programme to save crop genetic re-sources, Erna Bennett, looks back at the twists and turns the rights issue has taken since the introduction of Plant Breeders Rights in 1962. She argues that a change in strategy and direction is long overdue for all those fighting for more equitable access and rights in relation to agricultural biodiversity. The 'rights' issue around biodiversity has really taken off in the last 20 years. One of the first campaigners for a global programme to save crop genetic re-sources, Erna Bennett, looks back at the twists and turns the rights issue has taken since the introduction of Plant Breeders Rights in 1962. She argues that a change in strategy and direction is long overdue for all those fighting for more equitable access and rights in relation to agricultural biodiversity.
Laos at the crossroads by Isabelle Delforge | 26 Jun 2001 Seedling - June 2001 Having stuck its heels in to resist the Green Revolution, Lao farmers are coming under increasing pressure to adopt the industrial agricultural model and to join the global market place. Having stuck its heels in to resist the Green Revolution, Lao farmers are coming under increasing pressure to adopt the industrial agricultural model and to join the global market place.
GM in the public eye in Asia by GRAIN | 8 May 2010 Seeds Public is meant to be for people. But, as in evident with Bt crop research in Asia, “public” agricultural research is becoming less about the needs of ordinary people and small farmers and more about scientific control and corporate interests. The recent controversy around Bt brinjal/eggplant in parts of South and South-east Asia, together with the Bt rice research in China's public sector, show that governments and corporations, be they in competition or co-operation, are pushing the same GM crops into Asia's farms and food supply. This is decisively changing the perception of public agricultural research. People are realising that their public agricultural universities and national research institutes may not really be on their side. Public is meant to be for people. But, as in evident with Bt crop research in Asia, “public” agricultural research is becoming less about the needs of ordinary people and small farmers and more about scientific control and corporate interests. The recent controversy around Bt brinjal/eggplant in parts of South and South-east Asia, together with the Bt rice research in China's public sector, show that governments and corporations, be they in competition or co-operation, are pushing the same GM crops into Asia's farms and food supply. This is decisively changing the perception of public agricultural research. People are realising that their public agricultural universities and national research institutes may not really be on their side.
Jack Kloppenburg by GRAIN | 10 Oct 2005 Seedling - October 2005 Jack Kloppenburg is Professor of Rural Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the US. He is well known for his analysis of the emergent social impacts of biotechnology, and for his work on the global controversy over access to and control of biodiversity. His recently-updated book First the Seed: The Political Economy of Plant Biotechnology is regarded as a seminal work in this field. It was key in waking many people up to the social implications of biotechnology (including some of us at GRAIN), particularly with respect to the food system. Since then his work has broadened out to include working on ways to counter the growing corporatisation of the food system, focusing particularly on keeping the food supply sustainable, self-reliant and locally produced. He can be contacted at jrkloppe(at)facstaff.wisc.edu. Jack Kloppenburg is Professor of Rural Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the US. He is well known for his analysis of the emergent social impacts of biotechnology, and for his work on the global controversy over access to and control of biodiversity. His recently-updated book First the Seed: The Political Economy of Plant Biotechnology is regarded as a seminal work in this field. It was key in waking many people up to the social implications of biotechnology (including some of us at GRAIN), particularly with respect to the food system. Since then his work has broadened out to include working on ways to counter the growing corporatisation of the food system, focusing particularly on keeping the food supply sustainable, self-reliant and locally produced. He can be contacted at jrkloppe(at)facstaff.wisc.edu.
Turkey's new seed law by GRAIN | 18 Apr 2007 Seedling - April 2007 In October 2006 the Turkish Grand National Assembly (parliament) passed a far-reaching law on seeds which, if it is fully implemented, will erode the farming practices of all those who work on the land: more than 35 per cent of Turkey’s population. The new law is part of a drive to bring the country’s legislation into line with the European Union, which Turkey’s government hopes eventually to join. In October 2006 the Turkish Grand National Assembly (parliament) passed a far-reaching law on seeds which, if it is fully implemented, will erode the farming practices of all those who work on the land: more than 35 per cent of Turkey’s population. The new law is part of a drive to bring the country’s legislation into line with the European Union, which Turkey’s government hopes eventually to join.
Resources by reviews by GRAIN | 14 Oct 2009 Seedling - October 2009 Reviews of books: The Ecological Revolution – Making Peace with the Planet, Food rebellions! Crisis and the Hunger for Justice; Let them eat junk! – how capitalism creates hunger and obesity Reviews of books: The Ecological Revolution – Making Peace with the Planet, Food rebellions! Crisis and the Hunger for Justice; Let them eat junk! – how capitalism creates hunger and obesity
The Free Trade Area of the Americas by Maude Barlow | 28 Jun 2001 Seedling - June 2001 Last April, all but one of the governments of the Americas met in Quebec, Canada, for the third summit on the negotiations for a free-market regional trade agreement. It stands to have a dramatic impact on peoples' lives, while strengthening corporate control over all aspects of government. Last April, all but one of the governments of the Americas met in Quebec, Canada, for the third summit on the negotiations for a free-market regional trade agreement. It stands to have a dramatic impact on peoples' lives, while strengthening corporate control over all aspects of government.
Unravelling the DNA myth by Barry Commoner | 26 Jul 2003 Seedling - July 2003 There is a crucial problem in molecular genetics and in its applications to agriculture, medicine and the production of pharmaceutical drugs. This science is based on a 50-year old theory that says DNA alone governs inheritance. Molecular genetics is now confronted with a growing disjunction between this widely accepted premise and an array of discordant experimental results that contradict it. But this disparity remains largely unacknowledged and experiments with transgenic plants and animals (many of which are not even recognised to be experiments) continue on a massive scale. There is a crucial problem in molecular genetics and in its applications to agriculture, medicine and the production of pharmaceutical drugs. This science is based on a 50-year old theory that says DNA alone governs inheritance. Molecular genetics is now confronted with a growing disjunction between this widely accepted premise and an array of discordant experimental results that contradict it. But this disparity remains largely unacknowledged and experiments with transgenic plants and animals (many of which are not even recognised to be experiments) continue on a massive scale.
Sustainable monocultures? No thanks! by GRAIN | 25 Jun 2006 This report takes a critical look at corporate initiatives to promote sustainable monocultures. The report draws attention to a disturbing new trend where NGOS and farmers groups are participating in this industry greenwashing. This report takes a critical look at corporate initiatives to promote sustainable monocultures. The report draws attention to a disturbing new trend where NGOS and farmers groups are participating in this industry greenwashing.
POTATO: THE NEW GLOBAL TRAVELLER by GRAIN | 15 Dec 2000 Seedling - December 2000 Traditionally grown for domestic markets, the meteoric rise of the fast-food industry is increasing global demand and turning the potato into a big export commodity for the seed companies . Traditionally grown for domestic markets, the meteoric rise of the fast-food industry is increasing global demand and turning the potato into a big export commodity for the seed companies .