seedfreedom.info navdanya.org

1 Seed Freedom Authors A Global Citizens‘ Report

© Navdanya • Dr. Vandana Shiva • Ghana - Food Sovereignty Ghana April 2015 • Tanzania – Singo Saidi • Zimbabwe – ZIMSOFF (Zimbabwe Smallholders Organic Farmers Forum) Co-ordinated by: • India – Navdanya Ruchi Shroff, Navdanya • Indonesia – Mantasa Elisa Catalini • Australia– Byron Hinterland Seed Savers • Canada – Jodi Koberinski Front page Graphic: • USA – OSGATA (Organic Seed Growers And Trade Association) Charlie Mgee • USA – Seed Broadcast • USA – The Hummingbird Project/Cleveland Seed Bank Translations: • USA – Center for Food Safety Harriett Barham • Latin America – Javier Carrera Natasha Louise Raisch • El Salvador - Ecoviva • Austria – Arche Noah Media Partner: • Croatia – Biovrt - u skladu s prirodom Schrot & Korn Magazin, Tadpole Collective, • Germany – Open house e.V. ESC Communications, SICREA • Greece – Peliti • Italy – Navdanya International Available by Download at: • Portugal – Campanha pelas Sementes Livres www.navdanya.org • www.seedfreedom.info • • Portugal – Circulos de Sementes - Circles of Seeds www.navdanyainternational.it • United Kingdom - The Landworkers’ Alliance and The South West Seed Savers’ Cooperative Contact: [email protected] • [email protected]

Published by: NAVDANYA International Via De Pucci, 4, Firenze

Designed by: Valentina Fucito

2 3 The Seed Keeper Burn our land burn our dreams pour acid onto our songs cover with saw dust the blood of our massacred people muff le with your technology the screams of all that is free, wild and indigenous. Destroy.

Destroy our grass and soil raze to the ground every farm and every village our ancestors had built every tree, every home every book, every law and all the equity and harmony.

Flatten with your bombs every valley; erase with your edicts our past our literature; our metaphor Denude the forests and the earth till no insect, no bird no word can f ind a place to hide. Do that and more. I do not fear your tyranny I do not despair ever for I guard one seed a little live seed That I shall safeguard and plant again.

Anon.

Palestinian poem

Organic Seed

4 5 Index

The Global Movement 00 for Seed Freedom ...... page 16

01 Africa ...... page 22

02 Asia - Pacif ic ...... page 46

03 America ...... page 82

04 Europe ...... page 132 6 7 making it impossible for small farmers to grow their own diversity, and forcing them into dependency on giant seed corporations.

• Genetic contamination is spreading - India has lost its cotton seeds because of contamination from Bt. Cotton, and Mexico, the historical cradle of corn, has lost eighty percent of its corn varieties, and these are but two instances of loss of local and national seed heritage.

• After contamination, Biotech Seed Corporations sue farmers with patent infringement cases. More than 80 groups came together recently in the US and f iled a case to prevent Monsanto from suing farmers whose seed had been contaminated.

• As farmer’s seed supply is eroded, and farmers become dependent on patented GMO seed, the result is indebtedness. Debt created by Bt. Cotton in India has pushed farmers to suicide.

• India has signed a U.S. /India knowledge Initiative in Agriculture, with a representative of Monsanto on the Board, and states are being pressurized to sign agreements with Monsanto. An example is the Monsanto Rajasthan memorandum of understanding (MOU) under which Monsanto would obtain Intellectual Property Rights on all genetic resources as well as research on seed carried out under the Today, the freedom of nature and and our food security. Seed as a common good became MOU.After a campaign led by Navdanya and a “Monsanto Quit India” culture to evolve is under violent Navdanya was started 25 years a commodity of private seed Beeja Yatra (Seed Pilgrimage) with relentless protests by farmers Seed and direct threat. ago to protect our seed diversity companies, traded on the open forced the government of Rajasthan to cancel the MOU. Monsanto The threat to seed freedom and farmer’s rights to save, breed, market. Today, the threat is even inf luence on the US Government and the joint pressure of both on Freedom - impacts the very fabric of human and exchange seed freely, in the greater. Consider the following: governments across the world is a major threat to the future of seed life and the life of the planet. context of the emerging threats and the future of food. Seed keepers, farmers and citizens of the TRIPS Agreement (Trade • The last twenty years have What is at around the world have joined Related Intellectual Property seen a very rapid erosion • Wikileaks exposed the US government’s intentions to proliferate the together as a Global Citizens Rights Agreement) of the World of seed diversity and seed use of GMOs in Africa and Pakistan. Pressure to use GMOs imposed Movement for Seed Freedom to Trade Organization (WTO) sovereignty, and the rapid by US government representatives is a direct effort to support giant Stake respond to this Seed Emergency which opened the door to the concentration of control over biotech business and to expand their markets. Dr. Vandana Shiva and to strengthen the movement introduction of GMOS, patents on seed by a very small number of for the freedom of humanity. seed and the collection of royalties. giant corporations. • For the ballot initiative on GMO labeling in the US, corporations led by Monsanto are pouring millions of dollars to prevent citizens from Seed is not just the source of life. The Global Movement for Seed exercising their right to know and right to choose. It is the very foundation of our Freedom is the start of a global A Monsanto representative • Acreage under GM corn, soya, being. For millions of years, seed campaign to alert citizens and later stated “In drafting these canola, cotton has increased These trends demonstrate a total control over the seed supply and a has evolved freely, to give us the governments around the world on agreements we were the patient, dramatically. destruction of the very foundation of agriculture. The disappearance of diversity and richness of life on how precarious our seed supply diagnostician, physician all in one”. our biodiversity and of our seed sovereignty is creating a major crisis for the planet. For thousands of years has become and, as a consequence, Corporations def ined a problem • Besides displacing and agriculture and food security around the world. farmers, especially women, have how precarious our food security - and for them the problem was destroying diversity, We are witnessing a SEED EMERGENCY at a global level. evolved and bred seed freely in has become. farmers saving seed. So they patented GMO seeds are also Determined action is called for before it is too late. partnership with each other and offered a solution, and the solution undermining seed sovereignty, with nature to further increase the Seeds are the f irst link in the food was the introduction of patents the rights of farmers to grow diversity of that which nature gave chain and the repository of life’s and intellectual property rights on their own seeds and to save us and adopt it to the needs of future evolution.As such, it is our seed, making it illegal for farmers and exchange seed. different cultures. Biodiversity and inherent duty and responsibility to to save their seed. cultural diversity have mutually protect them and to pass them on • In countries across the world, shaped one another. to future generations. The growing including in India, new seed of seed and the free exchange of laws are being introduced seed among farmers has been the which enforce compulsory Organic Seed basis to maintaining biodiversity registration of seed, thus 8 9 The assault on Seed base of agriculture, encouraging corporate monopoly on seed. allows the patent holder to exclude monocultures of rice, wheat and Whether it be breeders rights everyone else from, making, A reductionist, mechanistic corn. Varieties bred for response imposed through UPOV 91, or selling, distributing and using the science and a legal framework for to chemicals were declared Miracle Patents on Seed, or Seed Laws that patented product. With patents on privatizing seed and knowledge Seeds and High Yielding Varieties require compulsory registration seed, this implies that the farmers’ of the seed reinforce each other (HYVs). and licensing, an arsenal of legal right to save and share seed is now to destroy diversity, deny farmers instruments are being invented in effect def ined as “theft”, an innovation and breeding, enclose Industrial breeding has used and imposed undemocratically to “intellectual property crime”. the biological and intellectual different technological tools criminalize farmers seed breeding, commons, create seed monopolies. to consolidate control over the seed saving and seed sharing. The door to patents on seed and seed - from so called HYVs , to patents on life was opened by Farmers varieties have been called hybrids, genetically engineered Every seed is an embodiment of genetic engineering. By adding one land races, primitive cultivars. They seeds, “terminator seeds”, and now millennia of nature’s evolution and new gene to the cell of a plant, have been reduced to a “genetic synthetic biology. The tools might centuries of farmers’ breeding. corporations claimed they had mine” to be stolen, extracted and change, but the quest to control It is the distilled expression of invented and created the seed, the patented. Not only is the negation life and society does not. the intelligence of the earth plant, and all future seeds which of farmers’ breeding unfair and and intelligence of farming have now become their property. unjust to farmers, it is unfair and What I have called the communities. Farmers have bred In other words GMO meant God unjust to society as a whole. “Monoculture of the Mind” seeds for diversity, resilience, Move Over. cuts across all generations of taste, nutrition, health, and Industrial breeding has been technologies to control the seed. adaption to local ago-ecosystems. In def ining seed as their creation based on strategies to sell Industrial breeding treats nature’s and invention, corporations like more chemicals, produce more 1. While farmers breed for contributions and farmers’ Monsanto shaped the Global commodities and make more diversity, corporations breed contributions as nothing. Intellectual Property and Patent prof its. for uniformity. Laws so that they could prevent Just as the jurisprudence of farmers from seed saving and The High Yielding Varieties (HYV) 2. While farmers breed for Terre Nullius def ined the land as sharing. This is how the Trade of the Green Revolution were in resilience, corporations breed empty, and allowed the take over Related Intellectual Property reality High Response Varieties, vulnerability. of territories by the European Rights (TRIPs) Agreement of bred to respond to chemicals. colonies, the jurisprudence of the World Trade Organization Hybrids are designed to force 3. While farmers breed for taste, intellectual property rights was born. Article 27.3(b) of the the farmer to the market every quality and nutrition, industry related to life forms is in fact a TRIPs Agreement states: “Parties season, since they do not breed breeds for industrial processing jurisprudence of Bio Nullius - life may exclude from patentability true. “Yield”, focusing on the and long distance transport in empty of intelligence. The Earth plants and animals other than weight of a single commodity a globalized food system. is def ined as dead matter, so it micro-organisms, and essentially is an inappropriate measure. cannot create. And farmers have biological processes for the Commodities do not feed people Monoculture of industrial crops empty heads so cannot breed. production of plants or animals - they go to producing bio-fuel and monocultures of industrial other than non-biological and and animal feed. Quantity empty junk food reinforce each other, The TRIPS Agreement and micro-biological processes. of quality, and weight empty wasting the land, wasting food, the ethical dimension However, parties shall provide for of nutrition does not provide and wasting our health. the protection of plant varieties nourishment. Beginning with the The privileging of uniformity over The deeper level at which the either by patents or by an effective false assumption that farmers’ diversity, of the quantity over Seed Emergency is undermining sui generis system or by any varieties are “empty”, industrial quality of nutrition, has degraded the very fabric of life is the ethical combination thereof.” Again, corporate breeding gives us our diets and displaced the rich dimension of this issue. We are this protection on plant varieties seeds and crops that are not only biodiversity of our food and crops. all members of the earth family, is precisely what prohibits the nutritionally empty, but loaded It is based on a false creation a steward in the web of life. Yet free exchange of seeds between with toxins. boundary which excludes both corporations who claim legal farmers, threatening their nature’s and farmers’ intelligence personhood, are now claiming the subsistence and ability to save The rendering invisible of the and creativity. It has created a role of creator. They have declared and exchange seeds amongst one diversity that seeds farmers have legal boundary to disenfranchise seed to be their “invention”, another. bred began with the so called farmers of their seed freedom hence their patented property. ‘Green Revolution’ The Green and seed sovereignty, and impose A patent is an exclusive right Organic Seed Revolution narrowed the genetic unjust seed laws to establish granted for an “invention”, which 10 11 The TRIPS clause on patents on life was due for a mandatory review The world view of Bio Nullius - epidemic of biopiracy. To end farmers. The seeds Monsanto has the primary objective. Genetic in 1999. India in its submission had stated “Clearly, there is a case for empty life - unleashes violence and this new epidemic and to save been collecting royalties on, are engineering was the gateway to re-examining the need to grant patents on lifeforms anywhere in the injustice to the earth, to farmers, the sovereignty and rights of our from what are known as ‘renewal’ patents. Now, the corporations are world. Until such systems are in place, it may be advisable to:- (a) exclude and to all citizens. The violence farmers it is required that our legal seed harvests, meaning that the taking patents on conventionally patents on all lifeforms;” of the Earth is rooted in both the system recognizes the rights of seeds have been collected from bred and farm-saved seeds. denial of the creativity and the communities, their collective and the previous harvest, a practice The African group too stated “The African Group maintains its rights of the Earth as well as in the cumulative innovation in breeding used for centuries. But, because During the f irst ‘Green Revolution’ reservations about patenting any life forms as explained on previous displacement of diversity. diversity, and not merely the rights these seeds are from Monsanto’s (1950s/’60s), farmers breeding was occasions by the Group and several other delegations. In this regard, the of corporations. genetically modif ied plants, they neglected. During the second Group proposes that Article 27.3(b) be revised to prohibit patents on Biopiracy are demanding that farmers ‘Green Revolution’ (1990s) the plants, animals, micro-organisms, essentially biological processes for the Secondly, patents lead to royalty pay. Not only are these royalties biotech industries pushed for production of plants or animals, and non-biological and microbiological The violence to the farmers is collection which is simply extortion unfairly enforced, but they are seed totalitarianism. Farmers’ processes for the production of plants or animals. For plant varieties to three fold. First, their contribution in the name of technology pushing farmers deeper into debt breeding is being criminalized. be protected under the TRIPS Agreement, the protection must clearly, to breeding is erased and and improvement. If the f irst that they cannot pay back, leaving In 2004, an attempt was made to and not just implicitly or by way of exception, strike a good balance with what farmers have co-evolved colonization based on Terre them f loundering in their f ields of introduce a seed law in India which the interests of the community as a whole and protect farmers’ rights with nature is patented as an Nullius gave us land lords and failed genetically-modif ied crops. would require the compulsory and traditional knowledge, and ensure the preservation of biological innovation. We call this “biopiracy”. “Zameendari” who pushed 2 registration of farmers’ varieties. diversity.” Patents on life are a the hijacking million people to death during Thirdly, when the genetically A Seed Satayagraha was started of biodiversity and indigenous the Bengal Famine, the new bio engineered crops contaminate - the law has not yet passed… This mandatory review has been subverted by governments within the knowledge; they are instruments imperialism based on Bio Nullius neighboring farmers’ f ields, the Satayagraha (Force of the Truth) WTO: this long overdue review must be taken up to reverse Patents on of monopoly control over life has given us life lords - the “polluter pay” principle is turned was Gandhi’s word for not life and Patents on Seed. itself. Patents on living resources biotechnology/seed/chemical on its head and corporations use cooperating with unjust laws. It and indigenous knowledge are industry which have pushed patents to establish the principle means force of truth. Gandhi said Life forms, plants and seeds are all evolving, self-organized, sovereign an enclosure of the biological 260,000 India farmers to suicide. In of “polluter gets paid”. This is “as long as the superstition exists beings. They have intrinsic worth, value and standing. Owning life by and intellectual commons. Life Brazil, farmers have been f ighting what happened in the case of that unjust law must be obeyed, so claiming it to be a corporate invention is ethically and legally wrong. forms have been redef ined as against seed giant Monsanto, most Percy Schmeiser in Canada, and long will slavery exist.” Patents on seeds are legally wrong because seeds are not an invention. ”manufacture”, and “machines”, recently f iling a lawsuit hoping thousands of farmers in the U.S. Patents on seeds are ethically wrong because seeds are life forms, they robbing life of its integrity and to sue the company for over 6 are our kin members of our earth family. self-organization. Traditional million euros on the grounds that Owning and controlling life knowledge is being pirated and the company has been unfairly through patents and intellectual Organic Seed patented unleashing this new collecting royalties from the property rights was always 12 13 Humanity has been eating If we do not act, or have a thousands upon thousands of fragmented and weak response, (8500) plant species. Today we are species will irreversibly disappear. being condemned to eat GM corn Agriculture and the food and and soya in various forms. Four cultural spectrum dependent on primary crops - corn, soya, canola biodiversity will disappear. Small and cotton have all been grown farmers will disappear, healthy at the cost of other crops because food diversity will disappear, seed they generate a royalty for every sovereignty will disappear, and acre planted. For example, India food sovereignty will disappear. had 1,500 different kinds of cotton, now 95% of the cotton planted By speaking and acting strongly is GMO Bt Cotton for which in one voice in defense of seed Monsanto collects royalties. freedom as the Global Citizens Alliance, we can put the obscenity, Over 11 million hectares of land violence, injustice and immorality are used to cultivate cotton for of patents on seeds and life behind which 9.5 million hectares of this us. Similarly, in another period land is used to grow Monsanto’s slavery was made a thing of the genetically modif ied Bt variety. past. Just as today corporations Corn is cultivated on over 7 f ind nothing wrong in owning life, million hectares of land, but slave owners found nothing wrong of this area 2850,000 hectares in owning other humans. Just as Resistance to unjust Seed Laws are used for a ‘High Yielding people back then questioned and Organic Seed through the Seed satyagraha is one Variety’ corn. Soya now covers challenged slavery, it is our ethical aspect of Seed Freedom. Saving an area of approximately 9.95 and ecological duty and our right We need to globalize and sharing Seeds is another million hectares, and canola to challenge patents on seeds. We noncooperation with unjust Seed aspect. That is why Navdanya has now comprises approximately have a duty to liberate the seed Laws. This is at the core of the worked with local communities to 6.36 million hectares. This mass and our farmers. We have a duty movement for Seed Freedom. reclaim seed diversity and seed as shift towards the cultivation of to defend our freedom and protect The Stories of Seed Freedom are a commons by establishing more these crops not only threatens open-source seeds as a commons. stories of courageous and creative than 100 community seed banks. the diversity of other crops, but individuals and organizations who Across the world, communities are threatens the health and wellbeing This Global Citizen Report on Seed are challenging unjust laws. saving and exchanging seeds in of natural resources such as the Freedom is a kernel/seed that we diverse ways, appropriate to their soil, as this monoculture approach hope will multiply and reproduce Patents on seed are unjust and context. They are creating and re- to farming drains the earth of its until no seed, no farmer, no citizen unjustif ied. A patent or any creating freedom-for the seed, for nutrients. is bonded, colonized or enslaved. intellectual property right is a seed keepers, and for all life and all monopoly granted by society in people. To break out of this viciousness of exchange for benef its. But, society monocultures and monopolies, we has no benef it in toxic, non- When we save seed, we also need to create virtuous cycles of renewable seeds. We are loosing reclaim and rejuvenate knowledge- diversity and reclaim our biological biodiversity and cultural diversity, the knowledge of breeding and and intellectual commons. we are loosing nutrition, taste conservation, the knowledge of and quality in our food. Above all, food and farming. Uniformity Participatory breeding of open we are loosing our fundamental as a pseudo scientif ic measure source seeds, and participatory freedom to decide what seeds we has been used to establish framing of open source rights will sow, how we will grow our unjust IPR monopolies on Seed. are innovations that deepen seed food and what we will eat. Seed And IPR monopolies reinforce freedom. as a common good has become monocultures. Once a company has a commodity of private seed patents on seeds, it pushes their Seed Freedom has become an companies, that unless protected patented crops on farmers in order ecological, political, economical and put back in the hands of our to collect royalties. and cultural imperative. Organic Seed farmers’, is at risk of being lost forever. 14 15 The Global Movement for Seed Freedom A Global Movement for Seed, Food and Earth Democracy

The core aim of the Seed Freedom Movement is to protect Seeds as a commons, defend seed sovereignty and promote food sovereignty in the context of a deepening Seed Emergency and a Food Crisis.

The Seed Freedom Movement, launched in October 2012, continues to gain ground and has been the catalyst by which movements, organizations and individuals around the world are today taking action everywhere to keep seed free from poisons chemicals, GMOs and patents and to protect farmers rights to save, exchange and sell their seeds.

Organic Seed

16 17 GMOs, patents, and Intellectual Events submitted by individuals Property Rights. Seed Freedom Campaigns and Organisations and published on We will not allow the imposition Seed Freedom Events Calendar. No. of Seed Laws based on Uniformity, Call to Action 2014 and ongoing events Events 20 Sept. – 20 Oct. that criminalise our diversity No Events: 157 and seed freedom. We breed for The Global Movement for Seed Freedom invited everyone to join people No. Countries: 31 diversity, quality, resilience-not for and communities around the globe, from the 20th of September to the http://seedfreedom.info/events/ chemical monocultures. 20th of October, to reaff irm our commitment to Seed Freedom, Food categories/call-to-action-20-sept-20- Freedom and Earth Democracy. oct-2014/ Across Diverse Ecosystems At this time of global crisis, as our planet faces economic and ecological and cultures we are united in collapse, we recognize the need to imagine and build alternatives to the Promoted through Social Media defending Seed freedom/Seed current dominant economic and agricultural models. https://www.facebook.com/media/ sovereignty as the foundation of The ‘Call to Act for Seed, Food, and Earth Democracy’ 2014 is a powerful set/?set=a.584129855032795.10737418 Food Freedom/Food Sovereignty, global event that will help to make these necessary alternatives a reality. 50.238484846263966&type=3 based on ecological production Let us stand together as we reclaim the commons of Seed and Food and and fair and just distribution, as we protect our land sovereignty and cultural heritage. Ongoing Campaign beginning with protecting and promoting local food systems. Read more: http://seedfreedom.info/campaign/call-to-action-for-seed- Events submitted by individuals food-and-earth-democracy-2014/ and Organisations and published Our diverse seeds, used in on Seed Freedom Events Map/ agroecological systems produce Translated in 10 other languages Calendar. No. Events 2014 (January more food and nutrition per acre Italian, French, German, Spanish, Bulgarian, Greek, Indonesian, Polish, – December) and are the real solution to hunger Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Slovenian No. Events: 298 and malnutrition, not GMOs. No Countries: 36*

Our evolutionary seeds, http://seedfreedom.in/seed- continuously adapting to climate freedom-map/ change, are the real answer for climate adaptation and resilience, http://seedfreedom.info/events/ not GMOS now packaged as categories/seed-freedom- “Climate Smart Agriculture” actions%E2%80%8F/

Promoted through Social Media Global Movement for Seed agriculture and participants in fair With all our love we will protect https://www.facebook.com/media/ trade. our seeds. set/?set=a.584129228366191.107374184 Freedom – Our resolve, our 9.238484846263966&type=3 commitment Our right to save and exchange our With centuries of knowledge of open pollinated, non GMO, non our ancestors reinforced by the The Global Movement for patented seed is non alienable. new sciences of agroecology and Seed Freedom is a network of epigenetics we will resist the individuals and organisations Farmers rights are non negotiable. imposition of obsolete and f lawed committed to align our thoughts reductionist, mechanistic science, and actions with the laws of Gaia, We will resist every law and and failed GMO and toxic chemical Pachamama, Vasundhara, Mother technology that attempts to technologies on our food and Earth… We protect the biodiversity undermine our freedoms, and agriculture systems. of the planet by defending of the the freedom of the seed, which is freedom of the seed to evolve in intimately linked to the freedom of With our intense commitment, and integrity, self-organisation, and Mother Earth. deep solidarity, we will collectively diversity. defend our Seed Freedom, Food We are committed to preventing Freedom, and Democratic Rights We are seed savers and seed Monsanto and other chemical to shape a future of food that defenders, farmers and gardeners, corporations which are seeking to protects life on Earth and the well practioners of ecological Seed Freedom control our Seed Supply through being of all. 18 19 No Gmo Banana Campaign The Golden Rice Hoax

“First the GMO industry said they would reduce chemical use through Read more: http://seedfreedom. Bt-Ht GMOs that were supposed to control pests and weeds. Chemical info/campaign/the-golden-rice- use increased, and GMO Bt cotton is plagued by pests, herbicide tolerant hoax/ crops are being overtaken by super weeds. The industry is now trying to save itself with the promise of GMO “super bananas” to deal with The PR army promoting Golden Vit A def iciency. As Mantasa’s research* has shown, the super banana Rice is descending on Phillipines, is based on Biopriracy of Vit A rich indigenous bananas. We don’t need Bangladesh and India. more false claims of GMOs based on piracy of indigenous biodiversity and knowledge. The GMO banana project based on biopiracy must stop”. Sign and share the Declaration for International Women’s Day, Vandana Shiva 8th March, to pre-empt the GMO propaganda: http://seedfreedom. Articles and Photos: http://seedfreedom.info/campaign/no-gmo-banana- info/campaign/declaration-for- campaign/ international-womens-day-8- march-2015/ Seed Freedom Presents: We Don’t Want No Pirate Banana – The Banana Song with Charlie Mgee from the Formidable Vegetable Sound System Also read: http://seedfreedom.info/seed-freedom-presents-we-dont-want-no-pirate- GOLDEN RICE – MYTH NOT banana/ MIRACLE, by Dr Vandana Shiva: http://seedfreedom.in/golden-rice- myth-not-miracle/ Seed Freedom

Seed Freedom Seed Freedom

20 21 Africa

Africa - Grain AFSA Sorghum, Photo: Janki Land and seed laws under Many of the key players are well means pushing for the off icial attack as Africa is groomed known. They include the World demarcation, registration and for corporate recolonization Bank, the African Development titling of farms. It also means Bank, the United Nations Food making it possible for foreign and Agriculture Organisation investors to lease or own farmland Across Africa, laws are being (FAO), the G8, the African Union, on a long-term basis. rewritten to open farming up to an the Bill Gates-funded ‘Alliance agribusiness invasion - displacing for a Green Revolution in Africa’ With regard to seeds, it means the millions of small cultivators (AGRA), the International Fund for having governments require that that now feed the continent, and Agricultural Development (IFAD), seeds be registered in an off icial replacing them with a new model and the International Fertiliser catalogue in order to be traded. of prof it-oriented agriculture Development Centre (IFDC). It also means introducing using patented seeds and varieties. intellectual property rights over The agencies effecting the Together they are committed plant varieties and criminalising transformation are legion - but to helping agribusiness become farmers who ignore them. they are all marching to a single the continent’s primary food In all cases, the goal is to turn drum. commodity producer. To do this, what has long been a commons A battle is raging for control of they are not only pouring money into something that corporates can resources in Africa - land, water, into projects to transform farming control and prof it from. seeds, minerals, ores, forests, oil, operations on the ground - they renewable energy sources. are also changing African laws to Source: http://www.theecologist. Agriculture is one of the most accommodate the agribusiness org/News/news_analysis/2752051/ important theatres of this battle. agenda. land_and_seed_laws_under_ Governments, corporations, attack_as_africa_is_groomed_for_ foundations and development Privatising both land and seeds corporate_recolonization.html agencies are pushing hard to is essential for the corporate commercialise and industrialise model to f lourish in Africa. With Globaljustice.org.uk African farming. regard to agricultural land, this 22 23 Many small food producers might Seed laws based on neoliberal Rather, the proposed solutions are simplif ied, but unworkable solutions conclude that their historic cultural ideologies to complex situations that will not work - though an elite category of rights to land - however they may farmers may enjoy some small short term benef its. be expressed - will be better When it comes to seed laws, the recognised, thus protecting them picture is reversed. Subregional With seeds, which represent a rich cultural heritage of Africa’s local from expropriation. African bodies - SADC, COMESA, communities, the push to transform them into income-generating private But for many governments and OAPI and the like - are working to property, and marginalise traditional varieties, is still making more corporations, it means the creation create new rules for the exchange headway on paper than in practice. This is due to many complexities, one of Western-type land markets and trade of seeds. But the recipes of which is the growing awareness of and popular resistance to the seed based on formal instruments like they are applying - seed marketing industry agenda. titles and leases that can be traded. restrictions and plant variety In fact, many initiatives such as the protection schemes - are borrowed But the resolve of those who intend to turn Africa into a new market for G8 New Alliance explicitly refer to directly from the US and Europe. global agro-input suppliers is not to be underestimated, and a notable securitisation of ‘investors’ rights consolidation of seed suppliers under foreign corporate ownership is to land. And the changes to seed policy under way. The path chosen will have profound implications for the being promoted by the G8 New capacity of African farmers to adapt to climate change. So this is not about recording and Alliance, the World Bank and safeguarding historic or cultural others refer to neither Interconnectedness between different initiatives is signif icant, although rights, but about creating market farmer-based seed systems nor these relationships are not always clear for groups on the ground. mechanisms. So in a world of farmers’ rights. They make no Our attempt to show these connections gives a picture of how very grossly unequal players, ‘security’ effort to strengthen farming narrow agendas are being pushed by a small elite in the service of is shorthand for the power of systems that are already globalised corporate interests intent on taking over agriculture in Africa. the market, private property and functioning. creditors. New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition

Most of today’s initiatives to "The 50 million people that the G8 New Alliance for Food Security and Lifting the veil of secrecy While there is a lot of civil society address land laws, including those This is not about Nutrition claims to be lifting out of poverty will only be allowed to attention focused on the G8’s New emanating from Africa, are overtly escape poverty and hunger if they abandon their traditional rights and This survey aims to provide an Alliance for Food and Nutrition, designed to accommodate, support safeguarding historic practices and buy their life saving seeds every year from the corporations and strengthen investments in land overview of just who is pushing there are many more actors doing or cultural rights, lined up behind the G8", warned Tanzania Organic Agriculture for which specif ic changes in these many similar things across Africa. and large scale land deals, rather Movement in September 2014. areas - looking not at the plans and Our limited review makes it clear than achieve equity or to recognise but about creating projects, but at the actual texts that the greatest pressure to longstanding or historical Launched in 2012 by the G8 industrialised countries - Canada, France, that will def ine the new rules. change land and seed laws comes community rights over land at a market mechanisms Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, UK and US - the aim of the gtrandly titled from Washington DC - home to time of rising conf licts over land ... ‘security’ is G8 New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition is in fact to mobilise It was not easy to get information the World Bank, USAID and the and land resources. private capital for investment in African agriculture. about this. Many phone calls to MCC. shorthand for the the World Bank and Millennium Most of the initiatives to change power of the market, To be accepted into the programme, African governments are required Challenge Corporation (MCC) ‘Land reform’ is to benef it current land laws come from to make important changes to their land and seed policies. The New outside Africa. Yes, African off ices went unanswered. investors, not farmers private property and Alliance prioritises granting national and transnational corporations The US Agency for International structures like the African Union (TNCs) new forms of access and control to the participating countries' and the Pan-African Parliament creditors. Development (USAID) brushed us Land certif icates - which should be resources, and gives them a seat at the same table as aid donors and are deeply engaged in facilitating off. Even African Union off icials seen as a stepping stone to formal recipient governments. changes to legislation in African did not want to answer questions land titles - are being promoted as states, but many people question from -and be accountable an appropriate way to ‘securitise’ As of July 2014, ten African countries had signed Cooperative Framework how ‘indigenous’ these processes to- African citizens doing this poor peoples’ rights to land. But Agreements (CFAs) to implement the New Alliance programme: Benin, really are. inventory. how do we def ine the term ‘land Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, securitisation’? Nigeria, Senegal and Tanzania. This made the task of coming up It is clear that strings are being pulled, by Washington and Europe with an accurate, detailed picture As the objective claimed by most Under these agreements, these governments committed to 213 policy in particular, in a well orchestrated of what is going on quite diff icult. of the initiatives dealt with in this changes. Some 43 of these changes target land laws, with the overall campaign to alter land governance We did learn a few things, though. report, it could be understood stated objective of establishing "clear, secure and negotiable rights to in Africa. land" - tradeable property titles. as strengthening land rights. African Centre for Biosafety

24 25 The New Alliance also aims to implement both the Voluntary Guidelines The report: 'Land and seed laws (VGs) on 'Responsible Land Tenure' adopted by the Committee on World under attack: who is pushing Food Security in 2012, and the 'Principles for Responsible Agriculture changes in Africa?' was drawn Investment' drawn up by the World Bank, FAO, IFAD and UN Conference up jointly by AFSA and GRAIN. on Trade and Development. This is considered especially important since Researched and initially drafted the New Alliance directly facilitates access to farmland in Africa for by Mohamed Coulibaly, an investors. independent legal expert in Mali, with support from AFSA members New Alliance pushing seed 'reform' and GRAIN staff, it is meant to serve as a resource for groups and As to seeds, all of the participating states, with the exception of Benin, organisations wanting to become agreed to adopt plant variety protection laws and rules for marketing more involved in struggles for land seeds that better support the private sector. and seed justice across Africa or for those who just want to learn Despite the fact that more than 80% of all seed in Africa is still produced more about who is pushing what and disseminated through 'informal' seed systems (on-farm seed saving kind of changes in these areas and unregulated distribution between farmers), there is no recognition in right now. the New Alliance programme of the importance of farmer-based systems of saving, sharing, exchanging and selling seeds. AFSA is a pan-African platform comprising networks and farmer African governments are being co-opted into reviewing their seed trade organisations championing small laws and supporting the implementation of Plant Variety Protection (PVP) African family farming based on laws, as has been seen in Ghana where farmers have risen up against the agro-ecological and indigenous changes. approaches that sustain food sovereignty and the livelihoods of The strategy is to f irst harmonise seed trade laws such as border control communities. measures, phytosanitary control, variety release systems and certif ication standards at the regional level, and then move on to harmonising PVP GRAIN is a small international laws. organisation that aims to support small farmers and social The effect is to create larger unif ied seed markets, in which the types of movements in their struggles seeds on offer are restricted to commercially protected varieties. The age for community-controlled and old rights of farmers to replant saved seed is curtailed and the marketing biodiversity-based food systems. of traditional varieties of seed is strictly prohibited. This article is based on the above Concerns have been raised about how this agenda privatises seeds and report. the potential impacts this could have on small-scale farmers. Farmers will lose control of seeds regulated by a commercial system, while crop biodiversity may be eroded due to the focus on commercial varieties.

Making these processes hard to combat is the mutliplicity of programmes and initiatives carried out by different countries and both national and transnational entities in different parts of Africa, all offering short term benef its to governments but all directed towards a single objective - the neoliberal transformation of land, seed and plant variety governance to open the continent up for full scale agribusiness invasion.

Land outside Maputo, Mozambique. Photo: National Geographic

Senegal-vegetables-market Afsa politicsofpoverty. oxfamamerica.org 26 27 Our press releases were mainly foreign corporate plant breeders are put above the laws of Ghana! An commentaries on biotechnology area where we strongly disagree is why the government opted for UPOV events and critiques of the 91 in the f irst place. The Bill is presented, f irst and foremost as being activities of the pro-GM lobby in in fulf ilment of the requirements of UPOV 91, which incidentally is also Ghana, such as “The 6th Africa in conformity with the WTO rules. Meanwhile, Ghana can fulf il our Agricultural Week Is Not About WTO obligations without UPOV. As explained in a petition signed by 51 Science”. international NGOs to the Parliament, we do not need UPOV. It is a very restrictive and dangerous trap into a permanent enslavement and loss of For a complete view of our Press our sovereignty as a people. Releases and Statements, please see: http://foodsovereigntyghana. This is what is staring at us in the face. Our destiny as a people is org/category/press-releases-and- involved in which decision our Members of Parliament make. statements/. As a result of a series of protestations by our local partners in this campaign and intense public interest that this generated, Parliament Our statements have been f inally beat a retreat on Plant Breeders’ Bill! published regularly in Sustainable Pulse, Pambazuka, the Ecologist, The move to impose the UPOV-compliant Plant Breeders’ Bill on and Seed Freedom Newsletters. Ghanaians suffered a major set-back on Tuesday, November 11, 2014.

The plant breeders' bill aka This was a signif icant victory given the level of push back our campaign “MONSANTO LAW” received from the MPs and the entire apparatus of state of the Mahama Administration. This does not mean the end of the story. The real Our campaign against the Plant struggle for a sensible law now begins. For example, the proposed This movement is a product of Press Releases Breeders' Bill has been the major amendments to the Plant Breeders' Bill come directly from UPOV. Ghana Special Brainstorming Session preoccupation of our movement meeting on the 21st of March 2013, Apart from organisational tasks since it came into being. We took at the Accra Freedom Centre. such as def ining our aims and this campaign seriously because – Food The meeting was in response objectives, rules and regulations, of the track record of Parliament to several months of calls by election of off icers, membership and the bi-partisan accord when it individuals, led particularly by drive, building our website, etc., comes to Bills from the pro-GMO Sovereignty the Pan-Africanist International, our initial activities were centred lobby. For example, the Biosafety who have been publishing, around press releases such as our Act of 2011, was voted into an Act discussing, writing, blogging or “Statement Calling For Moratorium of Parliament by a unanimous vote! Ghana tweeting, about the increasing On GM Crop Cultivation In Our campaign was basically Introduction phenomenon of land grabs, the Ghana”, which triggered an energized by the very evil nature right to water and sanitation as a immediate invitation to the US of the Bill: it was so bad that we This report covers the major fundamental human right, water Embassy in Accra for a CLOSED could not take “NO” for an answer. landmarks of our movement since privatization issues, deforestation, DOOR “Roundtable Discussion and After issueing a few statements its inception, almost two years ago. climate change, carbon trading an Interdisciplinary Presentation against Ghana's joing UPOV, such Food Sovereignty Ghana is a and Africa’s atmospheric space, on biotechnology at the US as President Mahama, Don’t Join grass-roots movement of and in particular, the urgent issue Embassy on July 10”. UPOV 91, and Parliament Must Ghanaians, home and abroad, of the introduction of GM food Reject UPOV 91! dedicated to the promotion of technology into our agriculture, After a careful deliberation food sovereignty in Ghana. particularly, its implications on we decided to turn down the We finally petitioned the Our group believes in the food sovereignty, sustainable invitation because it did nothing Parliament which led to our collective control over our development, biodiversity, and the to “advance our cause for a public meeting with the Parliamentary collective resources, rather than integrity of our food and water debate on the issue”. Committee on Constitutional, the control of our resources by resources, human and animal We also took the decision to Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, on multinational corporations and health, and our very existence as a publicly advice that the US Wednesday, 4th December, 2013. other foreign entities. politically independent people. Embassy Must Be Open And We find this Bill particularly These calls insisted that these Transparent On GMO Debate In obnoxious, in that, it makes the issues need to be comprehensively Ghana. rights of farmers subject to the addressed in a systematic and an discretion of the Minister of Food Sovereignty Ghana organized manner. Agriculture, whilst the rights of 28 29 The highlights of the visit included FSG shall be represented in court by Mr. George Tetteh Wayo, whilst the a Press Conference in the morning Attorney-General is representing the defendants. of Monday, 9th June, at the International Press Centre, Accra, For more information on the case, please see our PRESS RELEASE: FSG which was followed up with Sues Government Over GM Rice and Beans | Food Sovereignty Ghana: a Public Forum at the Paloma http://foodsovereigntyghana.org/fsg-sues-government-over-gm-rice-and- Hotel, Accra. Her two-day visit beans/ also included radio and television interviews and meetings with representatives of civil society organisations and farmers’ groups. Food Sovereignty Ghana has also had cause to reject participation in certain symposia and to denounce them publicly, such as the symposium on Wednesday, 10th December, 2014 at CLOSSAG Conference Room (Ministries) in Accra. The symposium was organized by the CSIR-Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (STEPRI), under the Development Research Uptake in Sub-Saharan Africa (DRUSSA) was described as being organised by GMO Peddlers – Fake Debates and Protest and marches FSG led the Ghana front. The Workshops, Symposia, and Staged Symposia! Some of our members supporters, friends and Lawyer Wayo protests were held in more public lectures Tetteh at the High Court Accra. on the f irst day in court, For the f irst time, Ghana joined in than 400 cities in more than Legal action against the 17th February, 2015 the March Against Monsanto on 52 countries on six different On 28th February, 2014, Food biosafety committee Saturday, October 12, 2013, which continents. The march started Sovereignty Ghana organized a took place around the world. from the Obra Spot at the Kwame capacity building and skills sharing As at the time of writing this The protesters rallied against Nkrumah Circle through the workshop on 27th-28th February report, a case f iled by Food the company’s use of genetically Nsawam Road and ended at the to discuss the Biosafety Law, the Sovereignty Ghana, against the modif ied organisms and tried to Mallam Atta Market. Plant Breeders bill and the Plant National Biosafety Committee, raise awareness about its corporate The march was so successful and Fertilizer Act (seed law) in NBC, as the f irst defendant, practices. and drew interest both locally collaboration with the African and the Ministry of Food And and internationally to such an Centre for Biosafety (ACB) and the Agriculture, MoFA, has been At the f irst march, only one extent that FSG Chairperson was Third World Network (TWN), and scheduled to be heard at the African country participated: interviewed by Ms. Abby Martin under the sponsorship of the Bread Human Right Division of the Fast South Africa. on Breaking The Set, RT’s f lagship, for the World. Track High Court, on Tuesday, 3rd award-winning English-language Civil society organizations, of March, 2015, at 9.00am. This time around, already in the channel which airs 24/7 from the smallholder farmers, the media, second march, there are seven network’s Moscow off ices, beamed scientists and concerned members It is the second time the case is African countries participating, across six continents, and is of the public attended the meeting. being called. The case was f irst amongst them, South Africa, available to more than 700 million Again 9-10 June, 2013, we hosted heard on the 17th of February, and Nairobi and Accra. Again, on May viewers worldwide. Dr. Vandana Shiva as part of a adjourned to the 3rd of March, to 24, 2014, as millions of people three-nation tour in Africa of enable the defendants to put in around the globe demonstrated to which we are most fortunate to be their statement of case. call for a permanent end to the use included. of genetically modif ied organisms This is clearly a landmark case and other harmful agrochemicals regarding the future of genetically used by “Big Agriculture” modif ied organisms, GMOS, in Food Sovereignty Ghana Hands with seeds - AFSA companies such as Monsanto. Ghana. 30 31 Similarly the Seeds Act 2004 is • Government is gradually TOAM and TABIO are working hard to address currently being revised to align ceding control of the Tanzania – Singo Saidi with the UPOV91 complaint PBR, commercial seed system to the the challenges of seed sovereignty as follow: Seed sovereignty status in Tanzania and will continue to disadvantage private sector. the ‘informal’ farmer-saved seed We are told that Tanzania has an abundance of available fertile land, but system by criminalizing any sale • The Quality Declared Seed 1. In June 2014, the two organizations in that production is ineff icient, based on many small farms, and needs of non-certif ied seed. Government (QDS) system – the only way collaboration with Alliance for Food modernization through private sector investment in large scale high-input lawyers claim to be in the process whereby smallholder farmers agriculture. of ‘domesticating’ the ITPGRFA can legally produce certif ied Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) organized (International Treaty of Plant seed for sale, and then only in a one-day event to mark the beginning Critics maintain that Africa is seen as the world’s last frontier for Genetic Resources for Food and their locality – is being wound corporate market penetration, with a focus on land and water, food and Agriculture)– which theoretically down under pressure from the of celebrating the International Year of bio-fuels. The recent investment wave must be understood in the context would strengthen farmers’ seed commercial seed industry. of a global food system dominated by large corporations in input supply rights – but we see no supporting Family Farming. This event invited Dr. (seed and agrochemicals), processing, storage, trading and retail. evidence. • There is no Government Vandana Shiva of which issues around seed A recent CSO / Government recognition of the value of African governments, desperate for some f inancial relief, are willing dialogue meeting in Dar es Salaam indigenous seeds (referred to sovereignty were highly discussed. to make whatever changes are necessary to bring the G8 New Alliance (Sep 2014) clarif ied that: by a government lawyer as capital into their countries (Tanzania is a prominent member of the ‘sub-standard seeds’) and no alliance). The multinationals are setting the terms, with favourable seed • The Government decision to legal protection of the farmer 2. Carrying out advocacy against changing laws, access to land, free trade and intellectual property rights as the join UPOV and to establish managed seed system. laws that undermine seed sovereignty in the preconditions for investment. a framework of UPOV 91 Farmers’ seed sovereignty is under threat from changes to national compliant legislation is a “done • The government is acting so country. In so doing, TOAM in collaboration legislation. Recently, Tanzania adopted a UPOV 1991-compliant Plant deal” and advocacy through slowly to fulf ill its promise to with African Center for Biosafety conducted Breeders Rights Act (2012) which is designed to protect the interests and CSO dialogue with Tanzanian domesticate the Seed Treaty intellectual property rights of large scale commercial seed companies Government to halt, reverse or (ITPGRFA) – which in principle a study on the impact of changing seed- (e.g. Monsanto, Syngenta etc.) who are keen to penetrate the African modify it will be rejected. would give famers some market with hybrid and GM seeds, supported by leading governments legal rights over indigenous related laws on farmer managed seed under the G8 New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition. The changes • Government sees the new varieties, including benef it systems in Tanzania. The study f indings were criminalize (for PBR protected varieties) the traditional farmers’ practice laws as solely focusing on sharing if used commercially. of breeding, saving, and exchanging seeds. With the new PBR in place, the commercial seed sector, presented during a stakeholders workshop Tanzania is about to become the very f irst Least Developed Country and denies they will have any Meanwhile over 80% of Tanzania’s which recommended for putting up laws that (LDC) in the World to join UPOV91. impact on smallholder farmers. 4.8 million small-farming families continue to source their seeds from recognize farmers varieties. the farmer managed seed system. Some, a few, are using the QDS system to produce certif ied seeds, 3. Working with smallholder farmers in maintaining and sharing their local varieties, or multiplying improved different parts of the county in promoting open pollinated varieties (OPV multiplication and use of local seeds in seeds). But most farmers rely on seeds saved from last year, either agriculture. This is because continue loss of by themselves, or exchanged with local seeds is having a devastating impacts on neighbouring farmers. farming communitiesby reducing the scope Yet seed banks are rare, ref lecting government extension service of seeds available for planting. advice towards commercial and hybrid seeds. 4. Carryout intensive awareness creation on GMOs and also call for decision and policy makers to reject the proposal to weaken TA B I O strict liability. 32 33 Zimbabwe – ZIMSOFF (Zimbabwe Smallholders Organic Farmers Forum) Conclusions ZIMSOFF: Strengthening community-based Board due to lack of funds seed systems in Zimbabwe worsened the situation. Promoting seed sovereignty is However, not all farmers are of paramount important for Seed is the foundation of life, for without seed, there is no food and affected by price hikes. There exist smallholder farmers in Tanzania. without food, life ceases. Every plant starts as seed. In Zimbabwe, isolated but signif icant groups With seed sovereignty, farmers over a million smallholder farming households rely on agriculture for of smallholder farmers who use have rights to save, breed and their livelihoods. They grow diverse food crops: cereals (maize is the Indigenous Knowledge Systems exchange seeds. It enables them to main staple food crop followed by small grains – sorghum, pearl millet (IKS) to save seed of various crops. be free from patented, genetically and f inger millet), pulses (a variety of legumes including cowpeas, Zimbabwe Smallholder Organic modif ied which are owned and beans, groundnuts, round nuts etc.) and vegetables (leaf, fruit, root, Farmers’ Forum (ZIMSOFF), controlled by the multinational bulb and tuber). Most smallholders purchase mainly maize seed from member of La Via campesina, is seed companies. seed companies dominated by SeedCo, Pioneer, Cargill and Pannar. A one such group of farmers f ighting few smallholder farmers save and use traditional and open pollinated to reclaim and use traditional varieties (OPVs) of maize. The pulses and small grains are dominated by seeds, and break dependence traditional farmer saved seeds. Thus, very few seed companies supply on commercial seeds. ZIMSOFF such seeds. farmers grow a wide range of traditional seed varieties and Open Zimbabwe, despite shortages between 2003 and 2010, produces adequate Pollinated Varieties (OPVs) (maize, maize seed for domestic and export markets. However, the domestic sorghum, millets, groundnuts, market particularly the smallholders have been affected by price hikes vegetables and other pulses). Such both of seeds and fertilisers. Seed companies have been increasing the practices preserve their culture price of the maize seed citing increased costs of producing hybrids. In and ensure food sovereignty and 2014, a 25kg bag of maize seed increased between $68.00 and $113.00, strengthen their communities. up from $57.00 and $96.00; while a 10 kg bag costs between $27.50 and $31.00, up from $21.00 and $24.00. Most smallholder farmers failed to buy suff icient seed and could lead to food insecurity. TA B I O The delayed payment for grain delivered by farmers to Grain Marketing reallygoodwriter.com

34 35 What are the threats to seed marketing policies as a quick solution to expedite the export and GMO processed foods and and increase understanding of defend their rights against the farmer seed sovereignty import of seed. In general, this will f lood both the regional and local food aid Seed Policy and raise awareness. new systems which threaten markets with hybrid and genetic modif ied (GM) seeds and thus push out farmers’ rights to save and Today threats to such practices traditional seeds. The SADC seed harmonisation policy seeks to promote GMO processed foods from South By allowing our smallholder exchange their indigenous loom on the horizon. A multi- the “commercial breeders’ rights” through Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Africa are slowing f looding the farmers to practice the age old seeds. pronged tactic by big seed and based on “DUS” (Distinctiveness, Uniformity, Stability). local markets. The opening up of seed preservation, growing agro-chemical companies has been This favours commercial breeders and criminalize smallholder farmer seed local markets set the stage for their and exchange, ZIMSOFF fosters • To reject certif ication of seed, prepared and unleashed to rid the saving and exchange. wider acceptance and lobbying by seed variety diversity, as well which it is too expensive and few remaining places of traditional some for the government to allow as a greater within variety smallholder farmers cannot seed varieties and the knowledge Corporate takeover through investment/shareholding GMO seeds is gaining ground. At genetic diversity. This enables afford. Moreover, to reject the to preserve seed, including free the moment, the Government of the smallholder farmers more whole process because it is top exchange. Tactic includes seed Most seed companies in Zimbabwe are subsidiary of large transnational Zimbabwe does not allow import adaptable to changing conditions down and its ownership is not patents (intellectual property agribusiness corporations such Pionner, Pannar etc. These entered the of unprocessed GMO materials. than homogenous commercial clear. rights-IPRs), criminalization local seed market during the Economic Structural Adjustment Programme agriculture. • To engage with and lobby of farmers’ seed preservation (ESAP) in 1990s when economy and trade was liberalised. Recently, Zimsoff initiatives for seed Limagrain, increased its shareholding through its subsidiary Vilmorin & Guarding against erosion the government to recognize and exchange, marketing of conservation, freedom and transgenic seeds (GMOs) and Cie in the local seed company, SeedCo. Vilmorin, a French seed maker of seed diversity through agro-ecology and peasant reclaimation. institutionalization of pro-UPOV is expected to double its stake in SeedCo to 32%. South African seed dialogues, advocacy and seed production systems and protect them from competition policies in Southern African companies such as AgriSeeds are also gaining market share. campaigns Development Community (SADC) Strengthening the campaign from big companies. and Common Markets for Eastern Seed company dominance: seed infrastructure, high for seed sovereignty ZIMSOFF has over the years • Push the government to and Southern Africa (COMESA). registration fees and policy bias organized several meetings to consult smallholder farmers The ultimate goal is to make all Zimbabwe Small Organic Farmers issues affecting seed sovereignty at before signing these policies. farmers dependent on toxic agro- In Zimbabwe, seed companies dominate the commercial seed supply Forum is working with likeminded farmer level. Various stakeholders inputs such as inorganic fertilizers, market because they have the requisite seed production and testing organisation such as Community including government off icials, • However, the government pesticides and technologies that infrastructure and are also able to pay the high registration fees. These Technology Development Seed Services Zimbabwe, social off icial indicated that the suffocate both agro-diversity, and requirements are prohibitive to entry of smallholder farmers. At the Organisation (CTDO), movements and activists have country has the most stringent soil and nature biodiversity. The moment there are registered 43 Plant Breeders in Zimbabwe. The existing Participatory Ecological Land Use participated in these meetings. conditions on registering seed farmers’ seeds maintain genetic national legislation caters for these registered breeders. No policy exists Management (PELUM Zimbabwe), Such efforts have recently companies. He also added that diversity and ensure consumption for smallholder farmers despite being breeders too; few amendments Towards Sustainable Resources received support from the member States have room of healthy, cultural appropriate to existing policy were done to include smallholders after their outcry. Use Organization (TSURO Trust) African Centre for Biosafety to deny entry any genetic foods. The smallholders have no access to these policies in local languages. This and Chikukwa Ecological Land Use (ACB) and Third World network material on ecological and affects their participation in the processes. Community Trust (CELLUCT) and (TWN), organisations working environmental grounds. Regional seed policies: SADC other farmers’ organisations to against transgenic seeds and and COMESA create a partnership that responds the new regional (COMESA and ZIMSOFF farmers are also to contextual factors on seed. SADC) seed policies. Smallholder participating in regional and Efforts are underway at regional This collaboration on seed is the farmers have built the capacity international fora on seed issues. economic and political blocs, the f irst of its kind. It envisions seed to understand and defend their Such spaces provide a platform SADC and COMESA, to introduce sovereignty farming communities seed rights nationally. In one the to learn and exchange key harmonized seed policies likely improving and sustaining their meeting held in Harare on the information on experiences with to impact on farmers’ seeds livelihoods through protecting and 2nd and 3rd of June the ZIMSOFF other farmers, thereby building negatively. The COMESA seed promoting the smallholder farmers’ farmers, agreed to take the solidarity among their organization protocol seeks to open national rights and ability to produce, trade following actions and positions: and foster collective action. borders through easing market and save a wide diversity of open At regional and continent level, and regulatory requirements on pollinated and traditional seed of • To scale up networking and ZIMSOFF works with Eastern registered commercial seeds. This high quality. It also seeks to design participation in dialogues on and Southern Africa Farmers’ removes the hurdles to movement a multi-year collaborative and seed issues; and that ZIMSOFF Forum (ESAFF), Alliance for Food of registered seed within the strategic programme to promote should seek space in the panels Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA), the regional countries at the ports farmer saved seeds and share seed that have been created in the People’s Dialogue, Rural Women of entry which affected timely knowledge by holding seed fairs region to discuss seed issues. Assembly (RWA). delivery of seeds to recipient locally and nationally; conduct The organization should countries. The governments research to document farmers’ also continue to strengthen seed initiatives and strengthen therefore proposed to harmonize Varieties of traditional and open pollinated crops farmers save and grow the smallholder farmers to Community Based Seed System; 36 37 It is now widely acknowledged that a smallholder-based, agro- ecological food production system is the best way to eradicate hunger and reduce the impact of agriculture on climate change, less attention is given to the role farmers’ play in sharing the lessons they have learned. Building on a farmer-to-farmer approach, the ZIMSOFF is interested in training community facilitators and trainers, helping them develop a horizontal and participatory learning system.

Growing for own consumption adequate and culturally appropriate food crops

ZIMSOFF campaigns for farmer saved seeds in a number of ways including promoting the Janet Maro consumption of adequate and culturally appropriate food. Besides growing over 10 different crop Through these networks, ZIMSOFF At the international levels, polluted varieties. Mr Mpofu and varieties (maize, sorghum, millets, has been pushing the seed ZIMSOFF is working with La Via his wife Elizabeth Mpofu, the round nuts, ground nuts, cowpeas, agenda at political spaces such Campesina to f ight for farmer General Coordinator of La Via beans, sunf lower, pumpkins, the annual SADC Head of States saved seeds and exchange and Campesina, keep and multiply a melons, most farmer households Summit. ZIMSOFF is building against Transnational Corporation wide variety of seeds collected at ZIMSOFF’s Shashe Smallholder and strengthening its regional (TNC) control of seeds. On the from different areas through farmer organisation (SFO) in network to f ight against proposed 17th April, the International exchange and sharing with Masvingo have small kitchen regional seed laws. During a Day of Peasant Struggles, La Via other farmers. They have over 15 gardens, located very close to their meeting with the Zimbabwean Campesina successfully organized different seed varieties of maize, homesteads, where they grow government, ZIMSOFF, AFSA, allied and mobilized actions across the sorghum, millets, beans, round vegetables such as covo, cabbage, organisations and Dr Vandana globe to highlight our struggle nuts, ground nuts, cowpeas, rape, onions and tomatoes for own Shiva lobbied for a ban on GMOs, to defend peasant seeds. At pumpkins, melons and many consumption. According to Mrs and called for the support for the meeting of the parties to other traditional crops. Most seed Mudzingwa, the small farmers indigenous seeds. Some members the Convention on Biodiversity varieties have been shared with are at the forefront of ensuring of ZIMSOFF have participated in (CBD), in a landmark decision, other farmers within ZIMSOFF. household food security by seed and knowledge initiative governments agreed to regulate The Agroecology School at Shashe growing different types of small exchange visits held in Zimbabwe synthetic biology. produces seeds for most local grains which give meaningful and South Africa (Limpopo vegetables they grow, a practice yields even during droughts. and KwaZulu Natal Provinces) Building a f irm foundation learnt from other farmers through Sorghum, pearl and f inger millet, and Italy (Rome); some of its for seed sovereignty through horizontal exchange of knowledge. and groundnuts are easy to grow members attended importance seed sharing and exchange and require less manure. Again, seed deliberations at Africa Union ZIMSOFF has been urging its these crops, unlike maize, can level in Ethiopia. In September members to create seed banks, In an effort to build seed easily be processed into meal 2014, ZIMSOFF held several local market traditional seeds and sovereignty, some ZIMSOFF mealie using a grinding stone seed and food fairs followed by promote the consumption of farmers visited and gathered a national food festival held in indigenous vegetables and crops, from different parts of Zimbabwe Harare in which also government which conventional research has traditional seeds and open worldagroforestry.org representatives participated. ignored, within their communities. 38 39 Key Outcomes Seed Freedom in Africa 1. The African mobilization tour of Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Ghana and South Africa has led to a strong movement against GMOs and harmonization of seed laws. Pabia Isaac from Food Sovereignty Ghana communicated that the public meetings by Vandana Shiva and seed freedom campaigns ignited public discussion on plant breeders bill in Ghana and led to movements joining hands to resist unjust laws that threaten their seed sovereignty. Saidi Singo from Tanzania said that thanks to the seed freedom tour, we clearly understand the links between seed sovereignty, food sovereignty, agro ecology and climate change. The visit in Tanzania helped highlight and bring into public discourse that it is agro ecological farming that provides the solutions to climate change and hunger.

Organic Seed

Seed Freedom, GMOs and Seed Laws in Africa – June 2014 Vandana Shiva supports AFSA The Seed Freedom Campaign through Vandana Shiva was invited for a special address for the African Food Sovereignty Network in August 2013 to establish links between seed sovereignty and food sovereignty and share successful strategies with the African network that the Seed Freedom campaign has built. In the wake of threats against Africa's knowledge systems and diversity by corporate and genetically modif ied seeds, AFSA invited Dr. Vandana Shiva and The Seed Freedom Movement to come together and help build a strong defense against these laws and Green Revolution on Africa. The Seed Freedom Africa tour included Conferences and Movement-building actions to strengthen movements for Seed and Food Sovereignty in South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania and Zimbabwe in June 2014.

The Seed Freedom movement is working closely with African networks on strategies, advocacy and campaign to resist the African Regional Seed laws such as ARIPO PVP Harmonized law, SADC PVP Harmonized Law, COMESA Seed Laws.

40 41 2. As a direct outcome, key representatives Vandana Shiva in Tanzania – A PORTO NOVO, BENIN: physicist who put a human face on from farmers’ organizations from Tanzania, agriculture: Let's reclaim the value of our Ghana and Zimbabwe were chosen to spend http://seedfreedom.in/tanzania-dr- ancestral seeds / Retrouvons nos vandana-shiva-physicist-who-has-put-a- valeures semencieres ancestrales – one month in India to learn agro-ecological human-face-on-agriculture/ Call to Action 2014:

farming, seed saving, participatory breeding Vandana Shiva supports AFSA in http://seedfreedom.in/events/ and replicate these in their communities in making the case for Agro-ecology: retrouvons-nos-valeures- http://www.greenpeace.org/africa/ semencieres-ancestrales/ their respective countries. en/Press-Centre-Hub/Press-releases/ Vandana-Shiva-supports-AFSA-in- making-the-case-for-Agro-ecology/ 3. Representatives movements from Tanzania, VIDEOS - Vandana Shiva in Ghana: Ghana and Zimbabwe also visited Navdanya http://foodsovereigntyghana.org/video- for the Seed Freedom Strategy meeting in dr-vandana-shiva-in-accra-1-public- forum/ September 2014. An intensive joint campaign Ghana’s Farmers battle ‘Monsanto Law’ has been planned against GMO Banana Association des Jeunes to retain their Seed Freedom: Environnementalistes pour un piracy with key African countries such as http://seedfreedom.info/ghanas- Developpement Durable Uganda and the African Food Sovereignty farmers-battle-monsanto-law-to-retain- seed-freedom/ Network. Ghana: Atikpo Flails Away, Never Lands A Blow On Shiva http://seedfreedom.in/ghana-atikpo- f lails-away-never-lands-a-blow-on-shiva/

TASAI Women hand-sorting seeds

42 43 PORT ELISABETH, EASTERN DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA: CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA: Morningside Peace Garden Guerrilla gardening for Seed get-together & Community Freedom, with Non GMO Seed Swap, with Citi-Zen food Port Elizabeth – Call to Gardens – Call to Action 2014: Action 2014: http://seedfreedom.in/events/ http://seedfreedom.in/events/ morningside-peace-garden-get- guerilla-gardening/ together-community-seed-swap/

WATCH VIDEO: http://youtu.be/ESBtDcIyyRk

Some teens from South Africa take a stand against GMO seed Giants, Monsanto and FOR the Seed Freedom movement

Non GMO Port Elizabeth

Citi-Zen Garden

44 45 invention. It is not engineered, piece-by-piece, by a worker on an assembly India’s Protection of Plant Varieties line. Living organisms are self-organised complexity. Chilean scientists and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001, has Maturana and Varela differentiated between two kinds of systems a clause on farmers’ rights, which autopoietic and allopoietic. Autopoietic systems are self-organised and states, “a farmer shall be deemed Asia - Pacif ic make themselves. Allopoietic systems are put together externally. to be entitled to save, use, sow, A seed is an autopoietic system constantly self-organising, evolving re-sow, exchange, share or sell and adapting to changing contexts. To claim that by adding one gene a his farm produce including seed corporation creates the seed and all future generations of that seed is an of a variety protected under this ontological f law, a scientif ic outrage and an ethical violation. act in the same manner as he was entitled before the coming into India’s laws have a clear articulation that biological and living systems are force of this act.” not inventions. Article 3(d) of India’s patent laws states clearly that the discovery of a new property or a new use of a known substance is not an The US would like to force India invention. to adopt a false science and laws that dictate that seeds have been When corporations claim ownership of a seed that contains a gene from created by Monsanto and are a Bt-bacteria, it is, in fact, a new use of a known substance. When they therefore Monsanto’s property. introduce the gene into a plant by “shooting” the gene through a gene gun into the cell of a plant, the reproduction of the cells and the life cycle US President Barack Obama will of the plant is a biological process. The biotech industry is not assembling be the chief guest at our Republic the organism, nor are they assembling future generations of seeds. Day celebrations. It is time to start a planetary dialogue and a Section 3(j) of Indian Patent Act is a legal interpretation of the scientif ic civilisational exchange based on us principle of the self-organisation of life. That is why the Appellate Board all being part of the Earth family; of the Indian Patent Off ice ruled in the case of Monsanto’s climate and based on our inalienable right resilience patent application: “the claimed method is considered as to Swaraj, including “bija swaraj raise families lose their rights. subverting the democratic process a series of generic steps modif ied by the plant cell… In the case like (seed democracy). This has happened recently in that rests on the will of people, the present which does not involve a simple leap from prior art to the India – Vermont and Maui. Residents of not on the power of corporations. invention but rather entails a journey with many generic method steps We hope Mr Obama’s visit will Maui County, Hawaii voted on This corporate jurisprudence needs that are essentially biological taken in sequence and we have found the enhance and deepen the common Navdanya November 4 to ban the growing to be reversed if human rights and invention is not involving inventive step, mere fact of human intervention freedoms of the people of India of genetically modif ied crops on the rights of Mother Earth are to would not change the position as we have otherwise found it not and the US, and not just the the islands of Maui, Lanai, and be protected. patentable in view of obviousness and new use of known substance.” freedoms of corporations, which Molokai until scientif ic studies are undermining the freedoms Corporate f iction are conducted on their safety Corporate f ictions that have While the Indian law recognises that seeds make themselves, including of citizens in both countries and and benef its. Monsanto and Dow already had disastrous impacts future generations of transgenic seed, which have a gene introduced from across the world. an unrelated organism, the American laws treat the transgenic seed as a by Dr. Vandana Shiva – Chemical’s unit Mycogen Seeds on the biodiversity of the planet, “machine” invented by corporations. This position of seeds as machines The writer is the executive The Asian Age, 6 january 2014 have sued the county in federal nations and on farmers whose and corporations as inventors was elaborated in the US Supreme Court director of the Navdanya Trust Source: http://www.asianage.com/ court to stop the law passed time immemorial rights to save case of Bowman vs Monsanto. Bowman had bought mixed soyabean columnists/corporate-f iction-661 by the people. And Vermont, and exchange seeds are being which passed a GMO labelling criminalised under patent law and seeds from a grain elevator and planted them. Monsanto claimed that the seed being planted to get a crop was not the natural reproduction of As the New Year begins, I feel law through a legal, democratic new seed laws. a seed sprouting into a plant, which then produced the next generation compelled to ref lect on how process, is being sued by a of seed. The US Supreme Court upheld Monsanto’s claim that the f ictions and abstract constructions conglomerate of corporations on When biotechnology corporations reproduction of the plants in Bowman’s f ields was a “replication of a are ruling us; the nature of the false premise of corporate claim to have “invented” the seed machine” invented and patented by Monsanto. being and existence is being personhood, and the inf luence of and courts and governments redef ined in such fundamental money as corporate “free speech”. uphold this f iction, millions of From the very beginning, Monsanto’s push for GMO seeds has been for ways that life itself is threatened. years of evolution and thousands claiming creation and ownership of seed. When corporations that were This is at the heart of new free of years of agricultural history gets designed as legal constructs claim trade treaties based on “investor erased. “personhood”, then real people rights”. Denying citizens the right who stand in line at polling to know violates the fundamental Seeds are not automobiles principles of food democracy. Dow or circuit boards; life cannot booths, eke out livelihoods, and photo Manlio Masucci and Monsanto sued Maui, thus be manufactured. It is not an 46 47 A-Z of Agroecology and Organic Food Sytems – September photo: The Hummingbird Navdanya – An Indian farm ways to design resilient food happen at many diverse, small- 2014 Project inspiring the World systems. Encompassing everything scale, community levels rather than from permaculture, horticulture through unsustainable, industrial A Global Capacity Building Workshops was held at the Navdanya by Charlie Mgee – Formidable and vermiculture to fermentation, monoculture farming and that this Biodiversity Conservation farm for citizens’ organizations and movements Vegetable Sound System, preservation and Indian chutney- will ultimately give us a deeper on seed saving, seed exchange and participatory breeding and the 2 October 2014 making, people really were given connection and respect for our links between Seed Sovereignty and Food Sovereignty,and issues of a deep sense of where their food food and the world around us. Intellectual Property Rights, Patents, Seed Monopolies and Farmers Source: http://formidablevegetable. comes from and how to produce it The best way to the heart is Rights at Dehradun with eminent scientists and environmentalists like com.au/navdanya-an-indian-farm- ethically from farm to table. through the stomach, but what is Professor Salvatore Ceccarelli, Dr. Vandana Shiva, Sandor Katz, AV Singh, inspiring-the-world/ put into the stomach should also Javier Carrera, Fabian Pacheco, Marilyn Kennedy, Chris Kennedy, Dr. To see this small farm (less than 20 come from the heart. Mira Shiva, Dr. Anna Powar. The global capacity building workshop (A-Z After just a week at Navdanya acres) not only growing all kinds on Agroecology) concluded with the annual Earth Festival (Bhoomi) – Vandana Shiva’s biodiversity of organic, traditional, non-GMO organized by Navdanya in New Delhi on 01/10/2014. conservation farm in Dehradun, varieties of grain, fruit, vegetables northern India, my mind is blown. and medicines from all over Glimpse from A to Z of Agroecology and Organic Food Systems: This place is such haven of peace India, but also planting seeds of http://www.navdanya.org/news/450-a-z-of-agroecology-and-organic-food- and tranquility amidst the chaos empowerment and hope into the systems-a-report-of-the-week-one-from-the-earth-university of India, but it is also buzzing with minds of such a diverse range of the enthusiasm of so many active, people was a truly inspiring thing. Report, Videos and Photos: http://seedfreedom.info/a-z-of-agroecology- inspired people from all over the and-organic-food-system/ world. When the course was over, everyone was left with a strong I arrived at the tail-end of their sense that the movement towards annual A-Z of Agro-Ecology course, organic, ecological, resilient food where a contingent of about 30 production is crucial for our people from over 15 countries had survival and wellbeing in the years to come. More importantly, it was come to learn universally adaptable Charlie Mgee agreed that this is only going to 48 49 Our Seeds, Our Future: KEHATI, an Indonesian biodiversity Strengthening Indonesia's conservation organisation, and Food Sovereignty the Body Shop Indonesia. Dr Shiva also met with Indonesian activists in a Q and A hosted by Between 2005 and 2010 in Kediri WAHLI, Indonesian Friends of and Nganjuk regencies of Java, the Earth. A one hour television a number of Indonesian farmers special 'Face2Face with Vandana were prosecuted and jailed for Shiva', produced at our events saving and producing their own by one of Indonesia's most seeds. This ruling was overturned respected journalists Desi Anwar, in 2013 after a judicial review by was broadcast in December the Indonesian Constitutional 2014 and can be watched online Court found the prosecutions (See: https://www.youtube.com/ unconstitutional and ruled that watch?v=hS6Y-dkTC-8). Indonesian farmers, especially Important to Our Seeds, Our Indonesian small farmers, should Future's work was the building have the legal right to produce of strategic partnerships with and to exchange their own seeds. organizations and individuals Our Seeds, Our Future, a project who can help enable and spread undertaken in 2014 by Mantasa awareness and practices of seed with local and international freedom. In October 2014 we held partners, has sought to highlight a workshop on seed sovereignty the threat to Indonesia's seed at the Ubud Writers and Readers freedom posed by the prosecution Festival in Bali, a lively regional of farmers for producing and Indonesia – Mantasa form for debate and discussion. exchanging seeds and to celebrate Seed Freedom report from important in their centres of origin their social and cultural value. A few of nutritious wild plants and protect this important victory Dr Shiva's visit to Indonesia helped Indonesia or secondary centres of diversity, In campaign, we have festivals, found in farmland. Commonly, for Indonesia's seed freedom. but largely ignored by commerce workshops, seminars and other they are considered as weeds shine a light on the importance of securing Indonesia's seed freedom Mantasa is a non-prof it and science. Those species are the activities to campaign the use of by people. Beginning in 2014, Mantasa, along and resulted in several ongoing organization works on edible ones that called “underutilized edible wild plants. with 23 partner organisations, initiatives, including the launch wild plants for food and nutrition species”, “wild foods”, “edible wild held events in August in Jakarta, of several ongoing seed saving sovereignty. In human history, plants”, “hunger foods” or “food When we talk about edible wild Indonesia's capital, as well as initiatives in Kediri “Lumbung 40-100,000 plant species have been for the poors”. plants we also talk about many in Kediri, East Java, where the Winih” and in Bali “Benih Bali”. regularly used for foods, f ibres, other issues. We talk about the loss farmers had been prosecuted and Dr Shiva also visited and gave a industrial, cultural and medicinal We have been working since 2009, of biodiversity, about the richness jailed, and in Bali. (See: http:// speech to students and community purposes. At least 7,000 cultivated and since then we have identif ied of traditional knowledge based mantasa.org/our-seeds-our-future- at the Bali Green School, voted the species are in use today around more than 1,000 species of edible on these plants, about resilience strengthening-indonesias-food- greenest school on earth in 2012, the world. Over the last f ive wild plants all over Indonesia of local people on facing climate sovereignty/) These included an where Bali Green School students hundred years, with increased including their social, spiritual problems, about access to food Indonesian lecture tour by Dr have also taken an initiative, contacts between disparate and cultural signif icance for local and many other things. After f ive Vandana Shiva beginning with inspired by Dr Shiva's visit, to start populations and the development people. We divide our activities years working on food sovereignty a main address at Universitas saving seeds. Mantasa's own work of a global trading systems, 30 into three main activities, they issue, we celebrate it by inviting Indonesia in Jakarta hosted by since Dr Shiva's visit has included or so crop speciec have become are campaign, education and Dr. Vandana Shiva to Indonesia on a joint campaign with Navdanya intensively and widely used and research and we work mostly a campaign called Our Seeds, Our International against GMO banana are now the basis of much of with women in village because Future: Strengthening Indonesia's biopiracy “No GMO Banana the world's agriculture. These we believe women hold important Food Sovereignty. Republic” and a new awareness commodity crops have been the role in creating food sovereignty. We hope people can see the raising campaign on GMO soy focus of attention of markets and In education, we build discussion connection of different issues consumption in Indonesia, with a scientif ic research world-wide. groups where women can share and can think that a simple act is new seed saving project “Tempeh As a consequence, some species and exchange knowledge and needed to help solve problems. Nation” to save Indonesia's have been replaced or fallen into skill. In research, we do research disappearing non-GMO soy disuse, while others have remained on nutritional value of edible wild plants as well as research on biodiversity and farming methods. 50 51 The launching of Our Seeds, Our Future in August 2014 was timely as Dinner and discussion with the election of the new Indonesian President Joko Widodo focused many Indonesia National Commission people's attention on what the new administration's environmental o f Wo me n policies might be. Our Seeds, Our Future will continue in 2015 by leading an Indonesian delegation to Navdanya's research farm in India for one month training in September, with follow up events held in Bali, to forge ongoing links between Indonesia and India and to help create a group of change agents who can help realise an ecological biodiversity- based agriculture shift in Indonesia. (See: https://thepollinationproject. org/grants-awarded/hayu-patria-adam-breasley-our-seeds-our-future-a- journey-of-food-sovereignty-impact-grant-2014/ )

In 2015 with our events in India and Bali we hope to link up movements from Hawaii to Bhutan for Making seed mandala from different kind of seeds, Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, 5 October 2014 the urgent transition to ecological agricultural systems based on biodiversity that the UN now agrees are needed to cool and feed the planet.

For both Our Seeds, Our Future 2014 and Our Seeds, Our Future 2015 we received and would like to acknowledge kind support in 'seed money' from ethical philanthropists the Pollination Project, who give out 1000USD to small projects everday of the year (we encourage organizations to apply! https://thepollinationproject.org/), and we would also like to thank Dr Vandana Shiva and Navdanya International for their Making seed mandala from kind support of our work. A number of ongoing initiatives for seed different kind of seeds, Ubud freedom that were launched through Our Seeds, Our Future are listed Writers and Readers Festival, below. 5 October 2014

52 53 Benih Bali “The Story of Sorghum” Event is scheduled on Feb 28, in conjunction with Slow Food Bali. Maria Loretta (Ashoka Changemaker and respected Dr. Vandana Shiva’s visit to Bali activist) and Mary Jane Edleson (Program Coordinator for BENIH BALI, August 20-23 included fundraising and Convivium Leader for Slow Food Bali) to present the sorghum dinner on Aug 21 and a half program, including the history, culture, cultivation, nutritional value, and day seminar on Aug 22 locally culinary opportunities of local sorghum. A special educational program organized by Slow Food Bali, with followed by a lunch featuring a variety of sorghum recipes to be offered support from IDEP Foundation, to Slow Food members and friends. A separate program to be presented which covered the traditional at Udayana University, with an additional program to a farmer’s group in Balinese subak rice irrigation Karangasem (northeast Bali). and water-sharing system. The Bali events also included the BENIH BALI Seed Saving Workshops (with sessions in English and announcement of plan to initiate Indonesian) starting in March 2015, in conjunction with Slow Food Bali, BENIH BALI, a local organic, open IDEP Foundation, and Udayana University, to be repeated on a regular pollinated seed (OOP) program. basis. On October 16 (UN World Food Day) the Off icial Launch of BENIH “Grow Your Own Dinner” Program established, in conjunction with Slow BALI was held. The launch event Food Bali. BENIH BALI to setup Seed Stewardship program within the included representatives from program, encouraging a variety of small scale farmers to become seed Slow Food Bali, IDEP Foundation, “stewards” of a specif ic seed (or more). Yayasan Mantasa, Permablitz Bali, and the Bali Green School. The BENIH BALI website was also launched: www.benihbali.org. The launch of BENIH BALI, Ubud, 16 October 2014 From October 2014 onwards, the Lumbung Winih (Seed Barn) rural area applies animal and Lumbung Winih and its seed following programs have been set KIBAR Kediri green manure as fertilizers by collections - Photo credit: up by BENIH BALI: keeping chickens and sheep and KIBAR Kediri Initial BENIH BALI Seed Library This initiative begun when our collecting fallen leaves. In urban setup, based on a collection of local partners in Kediri, KIBAR, area, KIBAR supporters plant the local OOP seed varieties, along began giving advocacy to maize seed by practicing verticulture and with successfully adapted or seed farmers in Kediri area in 2005. hydroponic in organic system. recently imported OOP seeds. KIBAR then began developing Initial free distribution program more varieties of seeds as well as On September 9, 2014, farmers of seeds to small scale farmers and the quantity. Dr Vandana Shiva in Kwadungan Village, where home garden enthusiasts. was invited to Kediri to share the event with Vandana Shiva “Forgotten Grains” Program valuable experiences to Javanese had taken place in Kediri, have initiated, focusing on local activists and farmers of organic established Dhahasatata Organic sorghum, millet and amaranth, for agriculture practices and local Community (DOC). Perayaan cultivation in Bali. Three varieties food movements . A garden was Pangan Desa (Village Food Festival) of OOP sorghum from Flores (from launched in December 2014 by which has encouraged the villagers eastern Indonesia), along with one conducting seed collection, seed to implement organic agriculture. variety of imported OOP white documentation, and seed saving They before were unfamiliar with sweet sorghum have been planted and distribution. During its organic matters, but now they on a small research scale in Bali, for development, KIBAR have been prove that they can make it by comparative studies. Locally grown planting and developing seed for strong motivation to live healthy OOP sorghum and amaranth various local foods, which now has and usefully. DOC activities have been distributed for free to reached 60 varieties, consisting consist of the cultivation of black several small scale farmers and of 16 grains and starches, 18 local rice using SRI, f ish farming, home garden enthusiasts for local vegetables, 12 fruits, 5 protein chicken & rabbit raising, and red productivity evaluation. crops, 5 herbs and spices, and ginger planting using organic 4 drinks. The planting done in method.

54 55 NO GMO Banana Republic Our No GMO Banana Republic campaign was launched Seed Freedom Presents: We do not usually think of bananas simultaneously in Bali and New as having seeds, but that is only Delhi on Gandhi's birthday because the commercial banana anniversary on October 2, 2014 We Don’t Want No Pirate monocultures of the Cavendish with a pledge of non-cooperation variety have had the seeds largely with the GMO 'super-banana' and Banana bred out. The centre of origin of its basis in biopiracy. We have used banana biodiversity is the region various literary references in our with Charlie Mgee from the Formidable Vegetable Sound System through Indonesia, Melanesia campaign to illustrate the multiple http://formidablevegetable.com.au and Mirconesia, where there are dimensions of the problem, as many seeded varieties as well as biopiracy is also a cultural and many nutritious local varieties. It moral issue, including Chilean Lyrics: is this biodiversity which those poet Pablo Neruda's poem La precarious commercial banana United Fruit Co and Columbian monocultures rely on for their Gabriel Garcia Marquez' 100 Years • English continued existence. The same of Solitude, which contains a biodiversity has also become a f ictionalised version of the 1928 Yes! we have many Bananas, target for bioprospectors like Dr Columbian banana massacre. we have many bananas today. James Dale of Australia's QUT who We also referred to artist Paul want to use GMOs to enter into Gauguin's paintings of Tahiti, since We don’t want your Pirate Bananas. commercial banana production. they depict the Fe'i banana variety Take your pirate bananas away that has been biopirated to make After discovering that the GMO the GMO 'super-banana'. super-banana from QUT that • Spanish is being funded by the Bill and We also were kindly donated a Melinda Gates Foundation was theme song for the campaign ¡No queremos piratas bananos! based on biopiracy of traditional by Charlie Mgee from the nutritious Fe'i bananas from Australian permaculture music ¡Piratas Fuera de aqui! Melanesia and Mirconesia, we have band Formidable Vegetable Sound ¡No queremos piratas bananos! worked together with Navdanya System, who together with the International to raise awareness of participants of the BHOOMI ¡Piratas Fuera de aqui! this blatant act of cultural theft. Festival in Delhi, performing as Los The 'super-banana's high-vitamin A Bananos, launched the campaign trait was bio-pirated from a Papua song “We Don't Want No Pirate • Swahili New Guinean banana. Bananas'. The pirate banana song Tuna aina nyingi za ndizi The traditional knowledge of Fe'i has been translated into English, bananas as a source of vitamin A Spanish, Bahasa Indonesia and Tuzilinde na kuzipanda comes from the State of Pohnpei Swahili. We invite you to help in Federated States of Mirconesia translate the song into your own Hatutaki zilizobadilishwa nasaba which has a Fe'i banana variety languages. Tuna uhuru wa kuchagua that is known as the 'Karat' banana for this reason, which is featured on the state emblem and stamps. • Indonesian Dr Dale's disease-resistance genes with which the GMO banana Ya! Kami punya banyak pisang project hopes to come to the Banyak pisang hari ini rescue of commercial banana monocultures were taken from Kami tidak mau pisang bajakanmu banana varieties from Maluku in Indonesia. Bawa pisang bajakanmu pergi

56 57 Edible wild plants community garden

In 2015, Mantasa is committed to make several edible wild plants community gardens in different area in Indonesia. The f irst one was established recently in Mendira village, Jombang, East Java. We have planted over 40 plant species and more than 200 seedlings and it will continue to grow. The plants we grow have cultural signif icance for local people and they are getting hard to obtain, so making a garden is our way to conserve plants and knowledges. The next garden we will make would be in Problinggo, East Java and Flores. Tempeh Nation Cultural performance in Kediri, East Java, celebrating local Indonesia for centuries has been the land of tempeh, the nutty and farmers’ seed freedom win. Making edible wild plants nutritious moulded soybean cake. In the mid-1990s Indonesia was Photo: Kartikey Shiva. garden in Mendira village self-suff icient in soy production and 87 per cent of soybeans were Photo credit: Mantasa farmer's own saved seeds. However, unknown to most Indonesians is the fact that in the last decades, Indonesia's indigenous soy biodiversity has been largely replaced by GMO soybean imports which now make up almost all of the soy consumed in Indonesia, where soy in the form of tempeh and tofu is a staple food for millions of people.

In 2012 CNN Environment Hero Robin Lim of natural birthing clinic Bumi Sehat (Healthy Earth) in Bali questioned if the increase in placental and umbilical birth defects she was observing in the mothers she is working with was the result of Indonesians' consumption of GMO soy. Hers has been almost a lone voice in Indonesia as the introduction and vast spread of GMO soy in Indonesia has happened virtually without any public debate or even awareness. This is something we are now working to change, working with local partners in Bali and Java, together with Mothers Against Genetic Engineering (MADGE) from Australia, who are concerned about the impact of GMOs and pesticides on mothers and children.

In addition to an awareness campaign on GMO soy consumption in Indonesia, we are also working with local partners to save and conserve the disappearing non-GMO Indonesian soybean varieties and to bring back non-GMO soybean farming across the world's largest archipelago.

58 59 A recent attempt by the Thai government to As concerned scientists and academics who An open consider allowing for an open-f ield testing specialise in the areas of biotechnology, letter to and commercialisation of genetically modif ied agriculture, food, the environment and (GM) seeds raises concerns from the Thai development, we support the campaign and the Prime National Farmer Council and over thirteen urge the Thai government to consider accepting civil society groups, including the Alternative the two demands. Existing academic literature Minister of Agriculture Network, the Confederation of suggests that while it is unproven that Consumer Organisation, Thailand Organic genetically modif ied seeds are higher yielding, Thailand Trade Association, Green Peace Southeast Asia, there are causes to be extremely concerned BioThai Foundation, 30 BioThai foundation, and many others. On the by genetically modif ied crops’ negative October 2014 30th of October 2014, this alliance of civil ecological, social, health, and economic impact. Source: http://seedfreedom.info/an- society groups submitted a letter to the Prime Under the current intellectual property rights open-letter-to-the-prime-minister- of-thailand/ Minister of Thailand urging him to: system which allows for monopoly control over 1. stop the government from permitting genetically modif ied seeds, farmers may be An open letter to the Prime Minister of Thailand from open-f ield testing of GM seeds until forced to pay inf lated-prices for these patent concerned scientists and academics around the world regarding Thailand passes a Biosafety law which seeds, not to mention that Thailand risks the open-f ield testing and enforces accountability in the case of genetic losing export markets as there is a growing commercialisation of genetically modif ied crops in Thailand. contamination; global consumer trend which rejects GM crops. 2. establish a national committee under The threat of negative environmental impact the Thai National Economic and Social and risks of contamination also suggest that Development Board (NESDB) to develop a genetically modif ied crops will undermine national strategy to promote sustainable Thailand’s potential to further develop agriculture and organic farming, involving sustainable agricultural practices such as representatives from stakeholders, especially organic farming. Photo: Greenpeace Thailand farmer networks, grass-root and non-prof it organisations, as well as related parties in the private sector. On the same day farmer groups and their allies also submitted letters voicing the same concerns and demands to Provincial Governors in eleven other Provinces across the country: Chiang Mai, Mahasarakham, Khon Kaen, Yasothon, Surin, Nakhon Sawan, Supanburi, Chachoengsao, Chantaburi, Songkhla, and Pattalung.

60 61 Since Thailand is a net-exporter of food and an extensive source of • Dr. Michael Antoniou: Head of the Gene biodiversity, possible negative impact from the introduction of GM Expression and Therapy Group, Faculty of seeds is a serious concern shared by the global community. Life Sciences, UK We strongly urge the Thai government to withhold its endorsement • Dr. John Fagan: Professor of Molecular of GM seeds, and to consider supporting other promising technologies Biology, Department of Physiology such as marker-assisted plant breeding and agro-ecological production and Health, Maharishi University of methods. Under the current global context of climate change and food Management, Iowa, USA security concerns, research and expansion of ecologically sustainable • Dr. Carlo Leifert: Professor for Ecological production should be encouraged by the state. Agriculture, Newcastle University, Yours sincerely, and Academic Director of Stockbridge Technology Centre, Cawood, Selby, UK • Dr. Vandana Shiva: physicist, ecologist, winner of the Right Livelihood • Dr. Vyvyan Howard: Emeritus Professor Award in 1993, founder of the Research Foundation for Science, of Nano Systems Biology, Centre for Technology and Ecology and Navdanya Molecular Bioscience, University of Ulster • Dr. Tony Weis: Associate Professor, Department of Geography, The and Managing Director of QuanToxPath Ltd, University of Western Ontario, Canada, as well as author of The Coleraine, UK Global Food Economy: The Battle for the Future of Farming (Zed, • Dr. Nora McKeon: Lecturer at Rome Three 2007) University, Italy. She ormerly held a position • Dr. Michel Pimbert: Director of the Centre for Agroecology, Water in the FAO, author of various books such and Resilience, (CAWR), Coventry University, U asStrengthening Dialogue with People’s Movements: UN experience with small farmer platforms and Indigenous Peoples (with Carol Kalafatic, UN NGLS 2009) • Professor Peter Newell: Professor of International Relations at the University of Sussex, Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange (School of Global Studies), UK • Dr. Thierry Vrain: former genetic engineer and soil biologist with Agriculture Canada and former supporter of GM crops who now promotes awareness of their possible danger • Dr. Steffen Boehm: Director of the Essex Sustainability Institute, University of Essex, UK Photo: Greenpeace Thailand Photo: Greenpeace Thailand

62 63 • Dr. Robin Broad: Professor of International Biology, Kolkata, India Development, School of International • Professor Terje Traavik : Special Consultant, Service, American University, Washington, GenØk-Centre for Biosafety, Norway and DC, USA Professor Emeritus of Gene Ecology and of • Dr. Philip McMichael: Leading scholar in the Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT – f ield of global agricultural and food system the Arctic University of Norway and chair of the department of development • Dr. Frøydis Gillund : Researcher, GenØk – sociology, College of Agriculture and Life Centre for Biosafety, Norway Sciences, Cornell University, USA • Dr. Ben Richardson : Associate Professor in • Lim Li Ching: Third World Network and International Political Economy, Department Senior Fellow with the Oakland Institute, of Politics and International Studies, USA. Co-editor of the book Biosafety First University of Warwick, and author of and lead author in the East and South Asia Sugar: Ref ined Power in a Global Regime and the Pacif ic (ESAP) sub-global report of (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2009) the International Assessment on Agricultural • Dr. Raj Patel, research professor at the Science, Technology and Knowledge for Lyndon B Johnson School of Public Affairs at Development (IAASTD) (2009) the University of Texas at Austin, USA, and • Dr. Megan Blake: senior lecturer and director author of various books including Stuffed of the MA in Food Security and Food Justice and Starved: Markets, Power and the Hidden programme, department of geography, Battle for the World’s Food System University of Sheff ield, UK • Prof. Dr. Joan Martinez-Alier : Professor • Dr. Peter Drahos : Professor in Law and the of Economics and researcher at ICTA, Director of the Centre for the Governance Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain of Knowledge and Development in the and author of Ecological Economics: Energy, Regulatory Institutions Network (RegNet), Environment and Society (1990)

College of Asia and the Pacif ic, at the * The names are chronologically ordered and the most updated list of Australian National University, Canberra. He names can be found at www.biothai.org.It should also be noted that the views expressed by these individuals do not necessarily ref lect the views also holds a chair in Intellectual Property at of their institutional aff iliations. Queen Mary, University of London. • Dr. Tushar Chakraborty : Member of Governing Body & EC, State Council of Biotechnolgy , Government of West Bengal and Principal Scientist & Molecular Geneticist, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Photo: Greenpeace Thailand Photo: Greenpeace Thailand

64 65 It must be noted that in Australia, farmers and gardners throughout the world to save seed and become particular disgust is currently aware of the danger posed from corporations selling seeds and our being expressed to the corporation potential reliance on these corporations. This led most notably to Monsanto, who are viewed concentrated efforts in Japan and Pacif ic Islands with the release of throughout communities with the f ilm ‘Our Seeds’ which has inspired seed savers worldwide to keep deep negativity for the crime’s this age old tradition of seed saving and sharing thriving. Today the they are committing against movement is growing thanks to this message that is being spread far and humanity. It is becoming common wide across global communities. knowledge of their actions of legal harrassment to farmers in Understanding the consequences of inaction regarding seed saving, Rasa rural India that has led to a huge honourably accepted the opportunity to establish a seed saving network amount of suicides. People are in the area and became a passionate seed saver overnight. Her garden increasingly becoming aware has since been a seed saving and sharing garden with multiple events that they are responsible for the held and seeds, cutting and plants shared throughout the community on crime of suicide seeds (sterile and a regular basis. She operates a thriving roadside stall which sells seeds non-seed producing), genetically and plants and this attracts many gardeners eager to learn to establish engineered food producing seeds a home garden for themselves. Rasa’s passion leads her towards sharing which are dentrimental to human knowledge with visitors and the community about seed saving and health, and patenting seeds that optimal conditions to grow the plants she shares. This has seen many are the birthright of human beings perennials become abundant throughout gardens within the community. all over the world. There is an increasing awareness of genetically Paul Crebar joined Byron Hinterland Seed Savers as a co-leader after modif ied food and although there visiting Rasa’s garden in March 2013. Paul has taken the responsibility is lots more support needed, of developing promotional communications and developing local groups are forming to push partnerships with other aligned organisations who can assist to grow for all GM Food to be labelled food security in the region. Paul further assists in expanding the scope of accordingly. Protest marches the local network with his passion for biodiversity by attracting families Paul at seed event against Monsanto are common and and youth through a range of activities and events in the community, Australia– Byron growing in regularity. including workshops for schools.

This corprotisation of seeds has The group’s drive is aimed at highlighting the precarious position that Hinterland Seed Savers led to less saving of seeds and our seeds are in caused by a reliance on corporation seeds and the simple less diversity available for future actions that can ensure future seed diversity. This will minimise any generations which in opposition associated future food security problems that come with handing the People’s initiatives for seed This reliance has resulted in only few) attempting to patent seeds those currently joining the seed responsibility of food production over to prof it driven corporations. We selected varieties being sold and that are not seed producing, saving movement are now actively realize the importance of retaining as many of the varieties of seeds that conservation, responses to working against. still exist, especially food seeds and getting these growing in as many defend seed has historically led to a reduction sell them and know that more of seed keeping and sharing seed must be bought with each gardens as possible. With the loss of variety in plants and seeds globally throughout communities until new season thus increasing their One of these groups the Byron reaching an alarming rate importance is placed on the know-how and BYRON HINTERLAND SEED the more recent times with the prof its. This increases the costs Hinterland Seed Savers was importance of saving seeds and planting locally adapted food sources in SAVERS: surging seed saving movement. of growing food for farmers and founded in 1990 by Rasa Dover the community for the benef it of future generations. Local Seed Saving Group This reliance that continues gardeners, which ends up costing at her property in Goonengerry, Rasa Dover - Paul Crebar today is threatening the bio- the consumer more to eat which N.S.W. Asked by the founders diversity necessary for our future is self ish and negligent behaviour of the Seed Savers Network, Since seed companies became food security, and is prevalent worthy of being charged as crimes Jude and Michel Fanton, Rasa established in Australia throughout any modern day against humanity. Breaking the established the local seed saving (approximately 1887) the supermarket where food diversity natural life cycle in the name of network, which today stands as hybridizing of seeds has become is extremely limited and people’s prof it is a ref lection of the lack of one of over 100 currently operating more common and many of our knowledge of food becoming integrity that such organisations in Australia under Michel and old heirloom varieties have been alarmingly narrow. hold and awareness of these Jude’s ‘Seed Savers Network’. discontinued and lost as a reliance actions must be known throughout This provided Jude and Michel on modern day supermarkets and This has now greedily grown the wider community. time to concentrate their efforts corporate seeds grew. to global corporations such as on creating documentaries and Monsanto and Nestle (to name a educational resources to assist 66 67 Looking forward the group hope to set up an online seed exchange allowing access and easability to save and share seed varieties throughout Australia. This in turn has the potential to create an abundance of local food throughout communities in Australia wherever they may be. This in turn allows people to have the basic right of access to clean, real and nutritious food not tarnished by the experiments and greed of corporate organisations.

Byron Hinterland Seed Savers Home Garden: 186 Repentance Creek Road, Goonengerry NSW 2482 Australia.

Tel.: 02 6684 9498

Rasa Dover Paul Crebar

Rasa & Wheelbarrow

SeedSavers_featured1

Paul & the children

Seasonal events are held in different and diverse gardens where people of people power pushing for local all ages are encouraged to bring plants, cuttings, tubors, and especially food production and security. their extra seeds to freely share among those in the community. Extra There is a growing interest in attention is put on older thriving varieties that have become accustomed biodynamics, organics, food to the local environment and weather patterns. Included in these events diversity, sustainability, local in a communal picnic and short talks about the global seed saving production and local sourcing, movement with respects and acknowledgement paid to the work of and seed saving. More people global citizens such as Vandana Shiva, Helena Norberg Hodge and Jeffrey are becoming aware that now Smith to name a few. These actions we believe are leading to food is the time to act so that future security within our local community with increased biodiversity and generations of our community more food grown in home gardens. These events are sharing knowledge have control of an abundant and and awareness about the actions both negative and positive happening healthy food supply within their on this planet so as a community we can act together in the interest of community. The aware people ourselves and the future inhabitants of this land. of the community do not want Further promotion is undertaken via our Facebook page; Byron to form a reliance on negligent Hinterland Seed Savers which provides photo’s and inspiration on seed corporations who disregard both saving, growing, drying, picking and storing of seeds. It further allows a human and planet health in their place to form local community connections and inform the community prof it driven actions based around about upcoming events. Byron Hinterland Seed Savers is just one group seed and food production. operating in the Byron Bay Shire (NSW) where there is a renaissance of 68 69 Australia Objectives

– Seed As well as our mission statement to celebrate, inform and inspire South Australians about Freedom organic food, local food, growing your own Food food and the worldwide need to save seed, some of the organisational team’s objectives Festival that inspired the festival were: Introduction • To empower South Australians with the Seed Freedom Food Festival was established with the aim to knowledge and conf idence of not just how, celebrate, inform and inspire South but why, to grow their own organic food Australians about organic food, local food, growing your own food and save seed. and the worldwide need to save seed. • To create a culture of seed saving that is “as The f irst Seed Freedom Food normal as brushing your teeth”. Festival took place in Adelaide city, South Australia on Saturday 27th September 2014 at The Market Shed on Holland St (an • To demystify and educate the public on the existing organic, local, ethical and myths of organic that are predominant in sustainable market space) and was an immense success with over mainstream media and to be a part of the 1,000 people attending on the day. process of making organic produce the norm Background again.

SFFF was founded by Keitha Young (née Haycock) following her • To raise support and awareness for the studies of Organic Farming and bounty of local organic farms, farmers Agroecology at Dr. Vandana Shiva’s Earth University on Navdanya farm. markets and organic businesses in South With a core team of 3 others, Victoria Meyer, Amber Chapman Australia. and Leo Abello-Rode, and dozens of volunteers, they pulled off the not-for-prof it festival with a lot of • To highlight the importance of eating locally dedicated meetings and a spending grown organic food. budget of under $1000.

• To encourage community within the city and greater Adelaide area - encouraging localised seed swap and food swap groups. 70 71 • To share the joy of connecting with the - Nat Wiseman, ‘Urban 5. Food stalls Farming in Adelaide – tools and 10 food stalls with all earth and each other – to demonstrate that techniques’ organically sourced ingredients - Adam Voysee, ‘Herb and GM Free. growing food organically and saving seeds extraction and steam is not only good for the health of the earth distillation’ 6. Other - Remedy Bliss, ‘The ancient - The Seed Swap and Food and its creatures, but also good for human art of fermentation’ Swap tables were a surprisingly health – physically, mentally & emotionally! - Jessica Sanguesa, huge success with festival ‘Introduction to preserving attendees encouraged via fruit and vegetables’ our Facebook page to bring • To create a GM-Free event that educates on - Niko Jah, ‘The importance of along backyard homegrown growing fruit trees from seed’ produce to swap as well as the issues surrounding GMOs in Australia - Steven Hoepfner, ‘How to their own saved seeds. A huge make seed bombs’ diversity of goods and seeds and the world. passed through on the day by 3. Information stalls the guidance of ‘Seed Swap The following organisations Australia’ a grassroots local and not-for-prof its had stalls seed swap group. at the festival and all work - A Raff le of organic food and towards raising awareness gardening goods with 100% of about food sovereignty, money raised from it going to organics and GMOs in SA and The Hummingbird Project’s Australia. They reported back “Living Soil Saves Lives” positively with high levels project. of interest, petition signings - A Seed Mandala was created The Festival - Ariella Helfgot, ‘Sustainable and new recruited members during the day by festival Agriculture and Climate from festival attendees on the goers, and to close the Seed Freedom Food Festival 2014 Change in Developing causes they were sharing. festival it was ceremoniously included: Countries’ - OFA: Organic Federation of dismantled with all the seed - Leo Abello-Rode & Ed Wilby, Australia SA turning into seed bombs and/ 1. A Speakers stage ‘Intentional Communities in - SAGFIN: South Australia Gene or given away for free to Featuring 15-25 minute talks by SA’ and Food Information Network attendees. and on: - Jo Staniforth, ‘Setting up and - AFSA: Australia Food - Dr. Vandana Shiva (via running community gardens in Sovereignty Association Future Goals - Fair Food Adelaide video address) on ‘Why Seed Adelaide’ Seed Freedom Food Festival 2014 Freedom, Food Sovereignty - Alistair Martin, creator of - Friends of the Earth Adelaide Seed Freedom Food Festival and Earth Democracy?’ Ripe Near Me ap, ‘Support - March Against Monsanto, will take place again this year, - Dr. Saamdu Chetri (via video local food from down the road’ Adelaide Saturday 26 September, with an address) Director of Bhutan’s - Transitions Film Festival aim to continue the high calibre Gross National Happiness 2. Two Workshop areas Adelaide of speakers and workshops on program, “GNH in Bhutan – a With workshops by and on: - Walyo Yerta Community offer and long term plans are to nation going 100% organic’ - Jude & Michel Fanton, ‘The Garden expand the event out into the - Jude & Michel Fanton, Abundance of Seed – how to Adelaide parklands for even greater founders of Australia’s National save your own seed’ 4. Retail stalls numbers. There are tentative plans Seed Savers Network, “A - Karen Montgomery, Supporting local and organic to create an off icial website (there global perspective on seed” ‘Principles of seed propogation farms and businesses such is only a Facebook page at present) - Lolo Houbein, author of One using recycled materials’ as Wagtail Urban Farm, and to potentially become a not- Magic Square ‘grow your own - Nadja Osterstock, Greenseeds certif ied organic for-prof it organisation. We will food in one square metre’ ‘Permaculture design for seedlings, Beach Organics, also join the Global Movement for - Sarae Adampoulos, president backyard gardens’ Roseneath Organics and many Seed Freedom. of Organic Federation - Simon Ardill, ‘Traditional and more… Australia SA Sustainable fruit tree pruning’

72 73 Conclusion

Seed Freedom Food Festival 2014 proved to all of us involved in its coordination that Adelaide was ready to “reclaim the food chain”, to return to the land and organics, to localise their lifestyles and to create community. We viewed it as an immense success and we’re hopeful for the future of seed freedom and food sovereignty in SA and Australia. We hope to continue to celebrate, inspire and inform so that the ripples of good food and good farming may continue on rejuvenating the older generations and teaching the younger ones.

Seed Freedom Food Festival Adelaide, South Australia. Established Saturday 27th September, 2014 www.facebook.com/ seedfreedomfestivaladelaide

74 75 Our Seeds Our Future: Strengthening Indonesia’s Food An outcome of the upcoming OUR Sovereignty – August 2014 SEEDS, OUR FUTURE program in Bali has been the creation of At the request of local communities and farmers, the Seed Freedom a local seed initiative, entitled Seed Freedom in Asia - Pacif ic Movement through Dr. Vandana Shiva was invited to Indonesia to BENIH BALI which will encompass strengthen the movement Food Sovereignty in Indonesia and to counter a public awareness and education the increasing monopolization of the food system by a small group of pro- gram about the importance corporations. of local seed production, with responsible supporting In collaboration with grassroots Indonesian communities and programs in Bali for improved organizations such as Mantasa, Kehati Foundation, KBAR KEDRI and Slow seed conservation, adaptation & Food Bali, Navdanya lnternational has launched a collaborative project innovation programs, including an OUR SEEDS, OUR FUTURE, which seeks to embrace the involvement of a island- wide seed network, seed diverse range of society, starting with the support of farmers, women’s library, and seed bank. BENIH groups, f ishermen, indigenous people, local food producers, along with BALI will represent a “next step” the informed general public who are concerned about the future of food in developing more programs in Indonesia and who want to strengthen and preserve food sovereignty initiated by and on going by IDEP, and security in Indonesia. with collaborative support from numerous other organizations.

Mantasa

Right for Seed and Water – Srilanka were sent to India for Sprouts Seedsavers gathering A Campaign for Alternative one month in September to learn and Seed-Declaration sharing, Development Model in and share knowledge on agro with Real Food Network ecological methods at the A-Z Srilanka of Agro Ecology and take part in the Seed Freedom Strategy Seeds, which farmers over the meeting at Navdanya. The farmers’ ages grew in their own backyard organizations also came to learn or farmlands, are now the core how to set up a People’s University of a debate over a proposed on Agro ecology based on the new Seed Act in Sri Lanka which model of the Earth University at farmers say would force them Navdanya. to import seeds from powerful seed companies in the world like Vandana Shiva visits Sri Lanka – Monsanto, Bayer or DuPont. Dr. Videos and Articles Shiva called for a rejection of the http://seedfreedom.in/dr-vandana- Seed Act and a campaign for an shiva-visits-sri-lanka/ alternative development model in Srilanka. Thousands of farmers marched in June 2014 against the proposed Seed Act, which would rob farmers of their seed freedom. The struggle against the Seed Act has been strengthened and continues today. A direct outcome of the Seed Freedom tour in Srilanka has been that 2 key farmers’ representatives from

76 77 INDIA - Mumbai Rooftop Garden - Session on “Soil, Seeds, & You”, December 2014

Report and Photos: http://seedfreedom.info/mumbai- rooftop-garden/

The Hummingbird project

Educational Gardens - Dr. Educational Gardens - Green School The Hummingbird project Vandana Shiva Visits Green School

http://tulisan.greenschool. org/2014/08/27/dr-vandana-shiva- visits-green-school/

Launch of Campaign in Indonesia and Australia against GMO Banana Biopiracy

http://seedfreedom.info/campaign/ no-gmo-banana-campaign/

Educational Gardens - Green School 78 79 INDIA - Sugarcane and Gur NIMBIM, AUSTRALIA Festival Inauguration, January 2015 Seed Saving Strategies (for the local Nimbin Bioregion), with Report and Photos: Nimbin Farms & Food Security Hub http://seedfreedom.info/sugarcane- – Call to Action 2014: and-gur-festival-inauguration- http://seedfreedom.info/events/ photos-articles/ seed-saving-strategies-for-the-local- nimbin-bioregion-4/

Nimbin Farms & Navdanya Food Security Hub

KURANDA, AUSTRALIA

Sprouts Seedsavers gathering and Seed-Declaration sharing, with Real Food Network – Call to Action 2014: http://seedfreedom.in/events/ kuranda-sprouts-seedsavers- gathering-and-seed-declaration- sharing-2/

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA

‘Soulful Seed Saving’ - Workshop with Jude & Michel Fanton, organised by Seed Freedom Food Festival – Call to Action 2014: http://seedfreedom.info/events/ soulful-seed-saving-workshop-with- jude-michel-fanton/

Real Food Network Seed Freedom Food Festiva

80 81 America

Canada – Jodi Koberinski photo: Gem Corn State of Seeds in Canada Simultaneously, the Seed Act is The Canada Organic Trade planted. If organic f ield crop The average Canadian potato Most often, these seeds are 2014: Federal Agriculture undergoing a separate overhaul as Association (COTA) completed growers were to purchase only lost 100 per cent of its vitaminA hybrid, and in soy, corn, canola Policy Overhaul Seeks to it is being folded into the SFFCA. an Ecological Seed Market Study organic seed while maintaining content, 57 per cent of its and sugar beets, they are also Canada’s agroecological movement in late 2014. The paper did their seed-saving practices, the vitaminC and iron, and 28 per genetically modif ied for RoundUp Entrench Monocultures is taking steps to address policy not distinguish between open market for organic seed would cent of calcium over the last 60 tolerance and prophylactic bT barriers by building alternate pollinated (OP) and hybrid (F1) increase 300%. years15, a trend attributable to a expression. Canadian organic Canada’s Harper Government has markets, cultures and approaches seeds and value of OP in the In Canada, producers can save and loss in diversity and breeding for farmers too often must work undertaken a massive overhaul to seed sovereignty. market. Many organic vegetable replant seed protected under the processing uniformity. with seeds that are bred of agricultural regulation over growers use hybrid seeds in Canadian Pant Breeders’ Rights Canada’s once rich crop genetic for chemical fertilizers, crop the past few years, including the Canada, though the availability of Act (PBR) if it is for their own use diversity has been decimated, with “protection” or agri-toxins, and introduction of 2 omnibus bills- an The Context OP varieties is increasing and the only. Producers cannot save and only a fraction still available to large-scale mechanical planting approach foreign to our In Canada, the Canadian Seed number of small seed companies re-sell seed protected by PBR, farmers. About 86% of the 7,098 and harvesting. They also face country’s long standing Growers Association represents the serving Canadian farmers and according to the CSTA. Such apple varieties documented as contamination from GMO crops in parliamentary democracy- commercial growers with a $2.7M gardeners is also increasing 14 . policies have favoured hybrid having been in use between 1804 seed sources, as evidenced in the to “modernize” our regulatory a year budget for the organization. The study found that organic development and biotechnology and 1904 have been lost, along with past with canola and f lax. environment. CSGA represents 130 certif ied growers purchase $9 million in over open pollination and public 95% of the cabbage, 91% of the seed growers whose market is vegetable seeds per year, while breeding approaches. Under the f ield corn, 94% of the pea, and 81% These changes will exacerbate the $5.6B annually. The acreage for ecological growers purchase $19 new C-18 rules, saving and trading of the tomato varieties which no already declining access Canada’s pedigreed seed in Canada, at 1.3M million, for a total estimated seeds becomes even more longer exist16. farmers have to open pollinated acres, is essentially the same as it vegetable seed market of $28 problematic. Much of Canada’s varieties. Bill C-18 was adopted was in 1994. Soy, wheat, and to a million annually. Organic and production is not covered by PBR, While the fastest growing market in 2014 and ushers in the UPOV lesser degree canola acreage has ecological f ield crop growers though efforts are underway to in agriculture is organic, 95 per 91 era in Canada. The Safe Food gone up over the past 15 years, use a great deal of saved seed, increase the number of species cent of the seeds that grow For Canadians Act (SFFCA) takes while barley and peas have upwards of 60%, varying by crop. governed by PBR. Canada’s major food crops are bred 14 separate agriculture and food declined13. This trend shows a move The organic and ecological f ield for uniformity, “high performance” Acts, including Canada’s organic toward soy and wheat acreage and crop seeds market is worth $20.06 Four plant species –wheat, maize, conditions, and routine application regime, and brings them together away from food crops. million annually, and another rice and potato– account for 60% of synthetic inputs rather than for under one piece of legislation. photo: Roberta Rossini $30.09 million value in saved seed of Canadian caloric intake. agroecological production. 82 83 to pay for the germoplasm With public breeders out of the the conditions for narrowing It seems to me that when our development efforts at our few equation, the rate at which less biodiversity and limiting farmers’ agricultural system isn’t working for remaining research stations, and prof itable OP varieties come to capacity to save seed. These most farmers we should be looking for something different to f ix it, but Bill the promising strains go to the market will undoubtedly decline impacts go against the aims of The C-18 is more of the same. It increases private sector to commercialize. in favour of IP supported hybrid International Treaty on Plant the power of large corporations in This not only removes one and biotech registrations.Canada’s Genetic Resources for Food and relation to family farms. It increasingly mechanism for our public breeding highlyregulated seed system Agriculture, to which Canada is a ties Canadian agriculture into a to pay for itself (in royalties back is constructed of policies that signatory. As such, Canada has globalized, price-based commodity to Agriculture Canada for its AC impact research and development, two pieces of legislation that have market. It encourages the long-term 19 trend toward bigger farms and fewer varieties), it is a massive transfer production, distribution, and sale. conf licting objectives . farmers. of the public commons to private In 2014, The Bauta Family Initiative Canada’s current policy direction ownership. on Canadian Seed Security’s Policy for VR and the Seed Act are I don’t think the sky will fall Working Group published its barriers to seed sovereignty. Many if Bill C-18 is passed, but it will be Publicly funded plant breeding at review of four key frameworks heritage cereals grown by one more incremental step in a policy the Cereals Research Centre in governing vegetable and f ield crop ecological farmers do not f it march that I think is failing Canadian agriculture. Manitoba (CRC) has historically seed: the Seeds Act; Organic the def inition of a “variety” (i.e. produced most of Canada’s Products Regulations; intellectual distinct, homogeneous, uniform, What is the alternative? Bill cereal crop varieties, which are property regulations; and, the and stable). Recommending C-18 is called the agricultural growth the foundation for Canada’s International Treaty on Plant committees in the variety act. Imagine for a minute if each of multibilliondollar grain industry. Genetic Resources for Food and registration process have not you, as a member of this committee, Roughly 50 percent of wheat and Agriculture. The Working Group involved the organic sector, and sat down in your constituency with a group of farmers and people oat acreage in Canada is seeded prepared a detailed analysis of the the evaluations don’t include interested in food policy and said to varieties developed at the CRC, impacts of these frameworks on indicators for ecological farming. to them, “The government wants to with a farm gate value of close to biodiversity, ecological production, Performance trials are almost write an agricultural growth act. $2.5 billion, according to Industry and public access to seed. exclusively conducted under What do you think should be in it?” Canada’s statistics. conventional conditions. Data from Do you honestly think that anyone Their analysis revealed that merit assessments under these would speak up and say to bring Regulatory changes: more of Changes to the Seeds Act Canadian law into conformity with The Harper Government closed the regulations governing seed conditions is not particularly useful the same are also underway as part of UPOV 91? Would someone put up the government’s regulatory the CRC in 2014, and is eliminating in Canada is oriented towards for ecological growers. their hand and say, “Why don’t we all public funding for spring largescale conventional production. Farmers are concerned that the make it easier for foreign corporations Canada’s government continued harmonization efforts. wheat breeding to pave the way Proprietary research and trend towards deregulation, to access farm credit programs consultations in 2014 on proposed The new focus on “market driven” for private sector investment. development meets the needs of loosening the standards of the underwritten by Canadian taxpayers?” changes to varietal registration registration in combination with Agriculture Canada will no longer some producers and markets, yet variety registration system, and It seems unlikely. (VR) in Canada. The government’s the loss of merit in assessing new support new breeding nor allow there are troubling impacts on the permitting the deregistration of declared agenda is an “emphasis registrations means that lines of I can think of many things the current work to proceed to the development of agroecological older varieties, would remove the on innovation, competitiveness and value to farmers that aren’t as the Canadian government could do to f inal stage of producing varieties seeds. checks and balances that provide promote agricultural growth, none of market development”. The current prof itable will disappear at a much farmers can buy. It is a paper farmers with good quality seed20. which are in Bill C-18. Why not look at VR system is designed to prevent higher rate under the proposed VR exchange piracy. And yet research The Seeds Act, a fundamental ways to grow the number of farmers? fraud, support seed certif ication, systems than the alarming rate at has also shown that private piece of legislation, was foster international trade, and which varieties are disappearing. Brent Preston, The New Farm, breeding is less economically implemented to safeguard farmers enable tracking in the marketplace. testimony to the Standing Committee eff icient: $25 million in annual and the food industry against the The renewed mandate for the VR and the changes to the Seed on Agriculture, October 28, 2014 public investment in wheat circulation of poor quality seed. “modernized, streamlined VR Act will encourage investment in produces can generate the same Some believe these regulations Overall, the tone of this bill politicizes system” being implemented in more, not less, hybridization and yield increases produced by $80 remain critical to ensure seed control over seed, and we see that as 2016 is to “promote innovation biotechnology, and will do nothing million in private money in canola quality. However, others contend a concern. The need to protect global in variety development, improve to support development of open food security and biodiversity requires breeding.18 that the system favours large-scale competitiveness, and facilitate pollinated varieties or varieties us to enshrine farmers’ rights in If the changes to variety conventional farming, limits producers’ timely access to new adapted to local, agroecological more than a small exception to this registration rules proposed in 2013 biodiversity and under-serves legislation. varieties”17, according to the conditions. The Canadian are adopted, companies will be organic producers. Similarly, laws government’s consultation government issued a directive able to deregister older varieties designed to protect plant breeders’ Jennifer Pfenning, Chair, Organic documents. Gone is the language in 2013 that expressly prohibits that no longer provide them with rights and reward investments Council of Ontario, testimony to the of farmer protection. Agriculture Canada scientists Standing Committee on Agriculture, from taking a plant through to the royalties. This will force farmers to in developing seed varieties that October 28, 2014 Varietal Registration level- which choose among fewer and more perform well in conventional Sisters of Providence means the public will continue expensive varieties. farming operations, can create Greenhouse 2014 photo 84 85 Canada’s ecological and family As elsewhere in the world, Canadians are organizing around farmers expressed concerns in unjust laws and creating ways to reclaim our commons. 2014 in opposition to Bill C 18, the Agriculture Growth Act, Seed Banks including extending the terms of protection of plant varieties In addition to the few remaining public seed banks managed by Canadian from 15 to 20 years; expanding governments or institutions, a growing number of citizen-run, collective, the scope of protection so that and cooperative seed banks are springing up across Canada in the royalties collected on IPRs could wake of the renewed attention to seeds. Independent projects like the be applied not only at the sale of Populuxe Seed Bank23 in Alberta start with a handful of varieties of seed, but elsewhere in the value seeds, and grow to over 200 heirloom and open pollinated varieties. chain; permitting breeders to apply Populuxe’s model of exponential growth occurs as other dedicated for protection for “essentially growers donate their seeds for preservation to online and place-based derived varieties”; that is, varieties banks. that are derived from and retain the essential characteristics of BC Seed Sanctuary houses a large and diverse seed collection for most protected varieties; and inclusion kinds of food and herbs protected in a proper storage building. of language in UPOV ’91 for the The project relies on many plant “custodians” across the country who farmer’s privilege to be revoked tell us how the varieties do in their particular climates. With over 900 or adjusted at the discretion of varieties in their living gene bank and the project in its 11th year, the national governments21. Sanctuary is featured in the f ilms “Gardens of Destiny” and “Tableland”. The Discussion Paper concludes: The Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul, located in Ontario, also “Be it through patenting, PBR, run a Seed Sanctuary. The order operates a monthly seed saver group or another framework, IPR with access to their glass greenhouse to propagate seedlings, gardens, systems essentially encourage the and part of a barn refurbished for seed sorting, storage and activities. development of proprietary seeds. Carol and Robert Mouck began working to establish the Heirloom Seed Libraries TSL has inspired countless seed Canadian Catholic Organization for These seeds, which are increasingly Seed Sanctuary with the Sisters in 1999. They worked with about 400 libraries near and far, while Development and Peace is a long GE/GM, are most prof itable to seed seed varieties they saved from Foxf ire Farm in Napanee, Ontario since The Toronto Seed Library (TSL) distributing over 50 000 seed packs standing supporter of international companies supplying large-scale, 1974. Recently the Heirloom Seed Sanctuary has joined the CRAFT was initiated in November 2012 to thousands of gardeners across efforts in food sovereignty. low-diversity, capital-intensive (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) Kingston network by the Occupy Gardens Toronto Toronto, Canada, and around The 2014 campaign, Sow Much farming operations… to offer an internship to a young person interested in learning about collective and students from the the world. Love, draws attention to the seed saving 24. University of Toronto and York similarities the global south and “The regulatory frameworks for University. Together a growing Educational Resources on Canadians share when it comes seed production and distribution cooperative of individuals and Seed and School Outreach to the food system. The group in Canada are multifaceted and, at organizations, seed savers, has developed curriculum-ready times, at odds with each other. gardeners, farmers, educators, The seed savers in Canada are materials for Canadian schools, and In an effort to deliver quality librarians, policy makers and food working with gardeners’ groups, has engaged in the conversations assurance for farmers, the Seeds lovers of all varieties are creating a school garden programs, and on UPOV 91. Act limits biodiversity and can free, selfperpetuating seed library community gardens to infuse the A number of training videos under-serve organic producers. system. In 2013 TSL established neo urban gardening culture with and books authored by and Similarly, as a signatory to The 6 branches, attended dozens of seed saving at its roots. for Canadian seed savers are Treaty, Canada engages to take events, collected, processed and Groups range from traditional populating the internet, seedy action to preserve biodiversity, shared thousands of packs of seeds organic/gardener outreach Saturdays (seed exchanges), increase in situ conservation, and seed saving knowledge. organizations like the Canada and farmers’ markets across the and protect the rights of farmers Organic Growers to the country. Organic sector groups to save seed. However, the In 2014 TSL expanded to 14 Permaculture GTA group of have developed an online seed pending adoption of UPOV ‘91 25 branches and have attended over Toronto area urban youth focused sourcing databases . may undermine this engagement 50 community events, including on community development as a by promoting proprietary plant Sisters of Providence Cate Henderson, Sister Alda Brady with Kate Green ‘literaseed’ workshops inside the precondition to farming and Sisters of Providence breeding and limiting farmers’ Toronto Public Library, a ‘how to 22 from USC Canada (2012 photo) gardening in the city. Greenhouse 2014 photo capacity to save seed.” start a seed library’ Webinar with the Ontario Library Association.

86 87 Bauta Family Initiative on Civil Society organizes in opposition to C18 and UPOV 91 Eastern Canada Organic Seed Note Seed Security Growers Network and the BC Bill C 18 united the food systems movements in opposition of the Seeds Gathering 2014 13 Canada Seed Growers Association AGM 2014 Director’s Report This $4 million dollar, multi-year corporate take over of our seed supply, and put seeds “on the map” for 14 The Market for Ecological and Organic Seed in Canada: Trends and Opportunities 2014, project of USC Canada is a civic many groups whose mandates are extensive but whose Marie-Eve Levert, Canada Organic Trade Association 2014. COTA’s initial environmental These biannual conferences scan brought to light a severe shortage of data on organic and ecological seed in Canada. engagement project funded by a resources are not. Food Secure Canada took a lead role alongside the took place in the fall of 2014 in The scarcity of information constrained this study and its results. family foundation created from National Farmers’ Union to support of regional networking 15 Discussion Paper on Seed Policy, Policy Working Group, Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security, March 2014, USC Canada. prof its generated within Canada’s educate Canadians and organize opposition to the Bill. FSC joined the and training for seed growers, 16 Seeds of Diversity, USC Canada web publication 2014 food system. This groundbreaking Organic Council of Ontario, community leaders, and farmers 17 Government of Canada presentation at the Canadian Seed Trade Association AGM initiative is helping fund dozens Canada Organic Growers Association, the Canada Organic Trade from eastern Canada and from November, 2014, http://cdnseed.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/English-Variety-Registration.pdf of projects in communities across Association, and select farmers in presenting to the Canadian Senate 18 Glen Tait, Push to private plant breeding shameful, Western Producer April 17, 2014 across BC respectively. The Eastern 19 Canada that are seeding the hearings on the Bill and its impacts on Canada’s farmers and our seed The context and issues within each of the four regulatory frameworks and a full Canada and west coast events both analysis, please see www.seedsecurity.ca sovereignty. Countless civil society organizations stepped up to support agroecological seed movement showcase innovative practices in 20 Discussion Paper, Seed Policy in Canada, Policy Working Group, Bauta Family Initiative through grant making, skills comments on the proposed legislation. seed cultivation, harvesting and on Canadian Seed Security, March 2014 sharing, and primary research and 21 National Farmers’ Union documents on Bill C-18, press releases www.nfu.ca, 2014 storage to an educated audience. 22 development. Discussion Paper, Seed Policy in Canada, March 2014 23 http://www.theseedbank.net/ 24 CRAFT offers extension supports, internships and staff positions to new farmers throughout Ontario. 25 Seed Research in Manitoba for the Bauta Initiative, 2014 http://www.seeds.ca/seedf inder and http://f indorganicseed.ca/index.php/en

88 89 Canada – Salt Spring Sanctuary Society

The Salt Spring Sanctuary Society We are located on beautiful Salt was formed in 2003, becoming a Spring Island in the southern charitable organization dedicated Gulf Islands of Canada between to the health and vitality of the Vancouver and Vancouver Island. earth through the preservation and promotion of heritage seeds. It is committed to maintaining, evaluating and keeping databases for all the edible, medicinal and useful crops that can be grown in Canada.

We are a volunteer-run board google.it/maps mostly consisting of farmers and community folks interested in seeds. What we do:

1. We work to increase awareness of food security issues including endangered seeds, biodiversity, GMOs and resilient communities. 2. We offer educational opportunities such as seed saving workshops. 3. We operate a seed library in our community. 4. We assist other communities in starting seeds banks and libraries. 5. We recruit seed growers across the country. 6. We recruit lifetime members for only $20! 7. We share seeds with our members and ask for some in return (Bulk Me Up program). 8. We publish an annual newsletter for 500 members and 3600 people ybertaud9.wordpress.com/ on our mailing list. organic-propagation/

90 91 Testing requirements to ensure that organic seed is free of USA – OSGATA genetic contaminants also do not exist. Rather, the NOP (Organic Seed Growers dictates production standards for certif ied organic crops rather than certifying the end product. And Trade Association) Complicating the issue, organic seed integrity does not reside within the boundaries of any single nation. The global nature of the seed and food commodity trade Protecting Organic Seed and Organic Farmers, Organic Seed ensures worldwide travel of GE Growers and Trade Association (OSGATA) traits. An international response is needed to adequately address the threat of potential continued GE Protecting Organic Seed Integrity contamination. While there is presently no labeling or tolerance Genetically engineered (GE) crops have quickly become a major feature laws within the U.S., several in the American landscape since the deregulation and commercial countries have set tolerance levels acceptance of the f irst GE crop in 1994. The biology of gene f low is pertaining to GE contamination of undeniable: pollen and seeds move beyond farmers’ f ields, via natural and non-GE, including organic, foods. human-aided processes. There is no exception for crops that are For example, the European Union genetically engineered. has a 0.9% threshold for approved Since that f irst approval, eight GE crops have been deregulated by the varieties and zero tolerance for USDA and subsequently adopted within commercial agriculture: alfalfa, non-approved varieties; Japan canola, corn, cotton, papaya, soybean, sugarbeet, and squash (Cucurbita rejects food products with GE This is especially of concern in Some companies and governments produced the f irst comprehensive, pepo); GE potatoes and apples have also been recently deregulated by content above 5%. centers of crop diversity like are considering, or have considered, peer-reviewed resource on the USDA, but it remains to be seen if they will be embraced by the Our lack of in-country tolerance Mexico, the ancestral home of higher allowable thresholds of mitigating contamination, marketplace. thresholds for GE works against corn. Loss of regionally adapted contamination. Such considerations Protecting Organic Seed Integrity: Most of these GE crops contain genes that provide the individual plant the ability of organic farmers in varieties to GE contamination are harmful to the organic The Organic Farmer’s Handbook to with resistance to pests or herbicides, but hundreds of other novel GE the U.S. to compete in the current constitutes a monumental and markets. GE Avoidance and Testing. traits, from drought tolerance to higher vitamin concentrations, are in the international marketplace. irreplaceable loss of unique genetic International controversy over The handbook offers pertinent laboratory and f ield test stages. Prior to commercialization in the U.S., GE If farmers attempt to market crops diversity. GE food, the increasing demand guidance on seed contamination crops are typically f ield tested for several years in open environments, that are not approved for export, How do we mitigate future and continued growth in the avoidance and testing protocols allowing for additional opportunities for cross-pollination and/or seed or have adventitious presence contamination in order to protect organic market sector, and variable for the following at-risk crops mixing. Concerned organic seed growers wishing to buffer their crops above allowable levels, they face our shared genetic resources? regulatory regimes across the (those with USDA-approved GE from potential contamination sources are further disadvantaged here, entire shipments being rejected by OSGATA’s policy on seed purity is globe beg for reliable sources of counterparts which are currently as many of the GE crops in the trial stage are considered conf idential import countries. designed to be consistent with the pure seed now and in the future. in commercial production): business information. Contamination of non-engineered expectations of genetic purity To meet this increasing market corn, soy, cotton, alfalfa, papaya, GE contamination within the organic seed sector is especially harmful to seed stocks in the U.S. has within the organic seed market, demand, we must acknowledge canola, sugarbeet, and squash the organic industry. For that matter, GE contamination in conventional further global implications, while also aiming to protect our that avoidance of GE contamination (Cucurbita pepo). The handbook is seed, which may be allowed in organic operations, is equally damaging. beyond complicating our trade genetic heritage for generations to is a shared responsibility between free to organic farmers as a hard Pure uncontaminated seed is the base of the global food supply. relationships. GE contamination come. OSGATA’s Policy on Organic growers of organic crops, non-GE copy and digital download available Once the integrity of organic seed has been compromised, the integrity can affect the seed resources Seed Contaminated by Genetically conventional crops, and GE crops, on www.osgata.org. of the entire organic system will follow. Furthermore, the reproductive and agricultural systems of Engineered Seed, ratif ied by as well as the GE seed technology nature of seed negates the concept of low-level contamination. developing countries. When we the membership, states that GE owners. Best management Plants grown from contaminated seed continue to act as avenues for export contaminated seed to these contamination of organic seed practices designed to reduce the release of contaminated genes. nations, as either seeds for planting constitutes irreparable harm to risk of contamination should Genetic engineering is an excluded method under the National Organic or as bulk products comprised of the organic seed industry and be embraced by all agricultural Program (NOP), as outlined in section 205.105. However, unlike other viable seeds, we run the risk of undermines the integrity of sectors in order to ensure the def ined seed contaminants (for example, presence of weed seed) there contributing to the spread of GE organic seed: Any detectable level integrity of organic seed. are currently no def inite thresholds for GE presence in organic and non- contamination. is unacceptable. In 2014, the Organic Seed Growers GE seed. www.osgata.org and Trade Association (OSGATA) 92 93 Liability in the Face of patented gene-splice technology over the Court of Appeals for the Contamination they could not be sued for patent Federal Circuit in Washington, infringement. D.C., issued a complicated ruling Another burden that organic Following an oral hearing in ordering Monsanto not to sue growers face is the risk of legal January of 2012, Judge Naomi American farmers whose f ields liability for patent infringement if Buchwald, of the federal district were contaminated with trace their crops become contaminated court in Manhattan, NY, sided amounts of patented material, by GE crops. To protect farmers, with Monsanto in honoring their which the Court def ined as 1%. a lawsuit -Organic Seed Growers motion to dismiss. On July 5, 2012 On September 5, 2013, the & Trade Association et al. v. the plaintiff group f iled a brief plaintiffs appealed to the U.S. Monsanto- was f iled in 2011 on with the United States Court of Supreme Court in order to attain behalf of 83 individual American Appeals for the Federal Circuit in full protection for American and Canadian family farmers, Washington, D.C., asking the farmers. On January 13, 2013, independent seed companies and appellate court to reverse the the U.S. Supreme Court issued agricultural organizations whose lower court’s decision dismissing a decision in OSGATA et al. v. combined memberships total over protective legal action against Monsanto. Farmers were denied one million citizens, including agricultural giant Monsanto’s the right to argue their case many non-GE farmers and over patents on GE seed. in court and gain protection 25% of North America’s certif ied The oral argument was heard on from potential abuse by the organic farmers. January 10, 2013, and a ruling was agrichemical and genetic Plaintiff-farmers had sought Court issued on June 10, 2013. engineering giant, Monsanto. protection under the Declaratory Ultimately, American farmers were Judgment Act that should they handed a partial victory in the become the innocent victims of OSGATA et al. v. Monsanto lawsuit. contamination by Monsanto’s The three-justice panel presiding www.osgata.org

The Costs of GE lots is an unfair cost for organic organic crops. Contamination farmers to shoulder. Additional Another diff icult-to-calculate costs have been borne and will cost accrued is the potential loss It must be noted that the ease continue to apply to preemptive of the genetic integrity of seed in which GE contamination conf inement measures to avoid GE stocks upon which farmers are can inf iltrate the traditional contamination within organic seed dependent. The permanent loss seed supply puts unfair social production systems. Measures such of choice in growing, as well as responsibilities and unreasonable as geographic isolation for seed eating, organic and non-GE foods is economic burdens on farmers crops, vigilance in removing at-risk virtually impossible to quantify in wishing to avoid GE technology. volunteers, and using dedicated terms of economics. When GE contamination does equipment contribute to additional This is in addition to the risks of occur, organic farmers do not have time and labor. legal liability these growers face. access to an established system to Organic farmers also face recoup f inancial losses. diminished prices and marketing Issues surrounding who is liable turmoil if they are forced to for contamination and the reroute contaminated crops from subsequent economic losses cloud their intended organic markets. the potential for recourse. In the Furthermore they run the risk meantime, organic farmers unfairly of straightout blanket market bear the burden of seed and crop rejections, especially on an contamination by GE sources. international scale in dealing with Avoidance measures and testing more sensitive markets. This could costs are part of the organic mean loss of income, and even loss farmer’s damages. Frequent testing of their entire livelihood. Loss of to ensure seed integrity, as well as consumer conf idence, either on an the loss of seed to testing, and any individual basis or industry-wide, is another possible repercussion discarding of contaminated seed www.osgata.org in light of GE contamination of 94 95 Since 2011, SeedBroadcast across New Mexico and Southern The 2014 regional MSSBS tour has been examining these Colorado. The SeedBroadcast took us to seed exchanges, seed territories through performative agri-Culture Journal grew libraries, agri-Cultural gatherings, engagements as artists, farmers, tremendously in 2014, with Spring and out to peoples’ farms and gardeners, teachers, and collective and Autumn editions which gardens across New Mexico and operatives, while rethinking the brought together seed wisdom Southern Colorado. We partnered term agri-Culture. Project concepts from backyards, gardens, and farms with organizations and individuals and methodologies are founded in locally and globally. It was a year to present the Mobile Seed Story a space of the grassroots, where of wisdom, support, and action, Broadcasting Station where we culture, creativity, collaboration, globa-locally! distributed open-pollinated and agency are coupled with seeds, recorded seed stories, and open/free-source processes, seeds, The Mobile Seed Story broadcast seed stories. Locations agroecology, rhizomatic networks, Broadcasting Station (MSSBS) included, our home base of and most importantly the spent 2014 in partnership with Anton Chico, as well as, Mora, relationships and stories that bring regional seed libraries, farmers, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Tucson, these all together. gardeners, schools, and at public Mancos, Dolores, Ridgway, events recording and broadcasting Telluride, and Westcliff. During 2014 programming, seed stories, sharing resources, Throughout these travels, we SeedBroadcast initiated Seed Story pollinating open-source seed met people from all walks of life Workshops and SWAP. These two networks, and blogging from the and all ages excited about the new projects grew with local, f ield. The blogging is instrumental creative capacity of seed stories regional, and national partners to in reporting these events and and interested in cultivating USA – Seed extend the reach of Seed Story honoring the efforts of these seed stories in their own lives Broadcasting potential, while communities and individuals in and communities. Here are some facilitating the active participation their food and seed sovereignty images and seed stories from our Broadcast of communities from the inside efforts. This is also the f irst 2014 Mobile Seed Story People and seeds have long been out. platform for broadcasting Seed Broadcasting Station Tour. intertwined in a complex f ield Stories. Mobile Seed Story of relations. Throughout history SeedBroadcast also continued to Broadcasting Station (MSSBS) Blog plants have cycled from seed to engage local and regional can be found at: seed and humans have interjected agri-Culture and seeds through http://seedbroadcast.blogspot.com their desire to be a part of this the Mobile Seed Story Broadcasting process, selecting, storing, and Station (MSSBS) as it traveled SeedBroadcast van growing out these plants year after year for millennia. This relationship was fed with an intention towards care and resiliency, to nurture not only people, but also a polyculture community of the familiar and an intentional community of plants, animals, humans, among the earth. Relatively recently this intention has shifted towards engineering botanical processes to build mono-agricultural empires, create populations of dependent passivity, and dominate the more than human.

seedbroadcast.org/

96 97 Here are some selected Seed In early 2014, we were invited to present SeedBroadcast at Luna Here is a Seed Story of Listening and Thanks by Elizabeth Pantoha from Stories from the Mobile Seed Story Community College in Las Vegas, NM. This opportunity allowed us to our Seed Story Workshop at Native Seed/SEARCH: Broadcasting 2014 Tour. explore yet another collaborative and generative Seed Story process https://soundcloud.com/seedbroadcast/elizabeth-pantoha-shares-her-seed-

You can also f ind complete 2014 Seed where we cultivated group conversations around seeds and seed stories. story-of-listening-andthanks Stories online at: This led to the fruition of Seed Story Workshops. We were invited https://soundcloud.com/seedbroadcast by New Mexico Land Off ice and Santa Fe Public Schools, the Santa Fe Another of SeedBroadcast’s various dispersal, broadcasting, and Children’s Museum, Institute of American Indian Arts, and Native collaborative tactics is the bi-annual SeedBroadcast agri-Culture Journal, Camillo, a Santa Fe Public School Seed/SEARCH to lead Seed Story Workshops with their students and a newspaper we cultivate, print, and distribute throughout the year. Student from the Schools Special programs. The intention of this journal is to activate a forum of exchange to Planting Day at New Mexico Land Off ice: intensify the discourse around seeds, food, and grassroots action. https://soundcloud.com/seedbroadcast/ Seed Story workshops are an expansive frame for building capacity Contributors include farmers, gardeners, activists, artists, cooks, camillo-shares-his-story-of-sunf lower- through collaboration and solidarity, while enabling others to learn educators, and others concerned with the state of seeds and food. In seeds-and-the-wind how to reach out into their communities to support seed stories. 2014 we printed 7000 copies of the Spring and Autumn editions and During these workshops we share the SeedBroadcast video, Letter distributed these freely around New Mexico, through the MSSBS and Sylvie Ortega, gardener and seed saver from a SeedBroadcaster, and Seed Stories we have recorded. We then through contributors. We also share these as downloadable pdf’s on our from Mora, NM: https://soundcloud.com/seedbroadcast/ circle round for conversations about Seed Stories. After this, we have website at: sylvia-ortega-shares-her-story93 participants go through a series of creative exercises, writing, drawing, http://www.seedbroadcast.org/SeedBroadcast/SeedBroadcast_ and telling stories. Then at the end, participants record each others’ agriCulture_Journal.html Brita Sauer, ABC Seed Library founder stories and share them back with the group. and librarian at Juan Tabo Public Finding ways to build collaborative partnerships beyond our region has Library in Albuquerque, NM: This very simple, yet profound work has led to several expansive led us to a new experimental platform called SWAP. The kick-off for this https://soundcloud.com/seedbroadcast/ librarian-brita-sauer-talks collaborations across the country and world, from New Mexico to project occurred in the heart of corn country, in Iowa. Arizona, and Cleveland, Ohio to India. It has also opened up a deep It was in partnership with an organization called Exuberant Politics and Michael Gorospe, a South Valley partnership with the Institute of American Indian Arts to assist in the directed by local farmer and artist, Carolyn Scherf. SWAP shared the farmer from Erda Gardens, creation of their community Seed Story Library. technological Mobile Seed Story Broadcasting Station structure as an Albuquerque, NM: experimental pop-up “grow-kit” to interrogate agri-Culture and local https://soundcloud.com/seedbroadcast/ issues. Local community members used it to record seed stories, bring michael-gorospe-tells-a-seed-story- remembering-his-fathersaving- awareness to issues of GMO, pesticide drift, seed saving, and help inspire seeds local open-source networks. Events took place in Iowa City, 94 Decorah, Ely, and Cedar Rapids. Carolyn blogged from the SeedBroadcast social Renee Apodaca, Albuquerque BioPark media network and she sent raw Seed Story recordings back to us in New Volunteer in Albuquerque, NM. Mexico to edit and broadcast. https://soundcloud.com/seedbroadcast/ renee-apodaca-shares-her-dream-of- taking-over-the-familyfarm Here is one of the Seed Stories from Iowa Farmer, Laura Krause talking about the challenges of producing open-pollinated, organic corn seed in Kukunaokala Begay, a farm intern at GMO laden cornbelt. Tomten Farm in Telluride, CO: https://soundcloud.com/seedbroadcast/laura-krouse-talks-about-open https://soundcloud.com/seedbroadcast/ SeedBroadcast web platforms, with lots of information about our kukunaokala-begay-shares-his-seed- activities, project photos, Seed Stories, videos, partners, and resources: story-of-belief-prayerand-corn http://www.seedbroadcast.org http://seedbroadcast.blogspot.com https://soundcloud.com/seedbroadcast https://www.facebook.com/seedshare

SeedBroadcast Anton Chico, New Mexico, USA www.seedbroadcast.org

seedbroadcast.org/

98 99 USA – The Hummingbird Project/Cleveland Seed McHugh and Kennedy work with rural Indian farmers to create viable Bank agricultural practices. Photo credit The Hummingbird Project Saving Seeds in the American quality, open-pollinated seeds – food, does not consider the two After receiving donations from his free open-source program has that such a diverse community Midwest For us, it began in India. only to realize before long that issues as being connected.” various seed companies (all signers had a positive ripple effect far will secure the project’s stability Specif ically, it began at Navdanya. a similar system was developing We needed to tap into that of the Safe Seed Pledge) our next beyond Cleveland – it has been for the present and help ensure its We had traveled there on behalf here at home. The urban farm interest, that enthusiasm, and use step was to develop a forum for downloaded over 600 times and resilience over time. of our international permaculture movement was growing, but it to bridge the gap between food exchange that would make those been translated into 3 different non-prof it, The Hummingbird plants were rarely, if ever, grown and its source. Between food and seeds available to the community. languages! We have good reason for Project, and were collaborating from locally sourced seed. In fact, seed. A partnership with the Cleveland optimism. The “Seed Library at the with Dr. Vandana Shiva to teach there was no reliable source of The seed bank was off icially Public Library soon arose, and the Our focus since then has been on Cleveland Public Library” already local farmers about soil health and locally adapted seeds anywhere founded in the summer of 2013, “Seed Library at Cleveland Public education and community building. extends over 5 separate branch the benef its of organic agriculture. in the Cleveland region. This was with the goal of inspiring, Library” was born. We host seed saving workshops locations and the online seed It was during this collaboration deeply troubling and needed to educating, and growing a to expand know-how, as well as exchange currently has over 250 that we learned about the 100+ be addressed. A new arm of our community network of seed savers. In addition to this traditional seed seed swaps and f ilm screenings members. We view this response seed banks Dr. Shiva had founded organization, dedicated to seeds, Such a network would, over time, library, we wanted to establish to spread awareness, including as a testament to the passion throughout India, and were able to became necessary. develop the regionally adapted a digital, independent exchange the Cleveland premiere of Open and engagement of the people witness, f irsthand, the importance Cleveland was an ideal seed supply that Cleveland so space online. We imagined a Sesame: The Story of Seeds. of Cleveland. Urban farmers, of seeds. As we continued to work environment for a project of this desperately needed. That was our “members area” where local The community’s respons has gardeners and all sorts of with the local farmers, we saw that sort. The city boasted a vibrant starting point, and as we moved growers could post offers and been highly enthusiastic, and the growers are getting involved not only were they suffering from local food movement with more forward from there, it became share or swap seeds on their own range of people getting involved in the movement. It is deeply degraded soil and all its attendant urban farms and markets each year, obvious that to develop this terms. No existing web program with the movement has been encouraging. Are there challenges issues, but that they had also, to but no one seemed to have linked f ledgling community we needed to provided this function, but one of very encouraging. In addition to to be reckoned with? Absolutely. devastating effect, lost control of “local food” to “local seed.” Carlo provide three things: 1) an initial the people working with us on our older gardeners (for whom seed In the summer of 2014, news broke their seed supply. Petrini’s comment in the 2012 Seed supply of open-pollinated seeds website was self-proclaimed “cyber saving was once a way of life), that the Simpson Seed Library Freedom Report summed up the 2) the knowledge needed to save hacktivist” Meitar Moscovitz. we are seeing an encouraging in Mechanicsburg, PA had been The Cleveland Seed Bank was mindset, “It seems that public them and 3) a space in which to He wrote a new, open-source degree of interest from younger shut down by the Pennsylvania directly inspired by these opinion, which is generally not very exchange them. WordPress plug-in that enabled generations. It seems that, as soon Department of Agriculture for experiences. Upon our return to interested in anything related to community members to join the as Clevelanders are old enough to violating the state’s Seed Act of Ohio we couldn’t stop thinking agriculture but instead very seed bank and post offers just own gardens, they are old enough 2004. about India’s lack of access to interested in everything related to as we had envisioned. Moreover, to care about them. It is our hope 100 101 The Seed Act was commercial in nature, and, as the library was not selling seeds, it had not seemed applicable. Nonetheless, the library was told, there were concerns about mislabeling, as well as the potential for cross-pollination and the growth of invasive species. The term “Agri-terrorism” was even used, and the seed library was closed. Since that time, several other states have followed Pennsylvania’s example, and the crack down on seed libraries through the misapplication of commercial seed laws has accelerated. The awareness that this issue could potentially spread to Ohio has loomed over us for months. But we are not sitting idly by. Instead, we have been working to overcome the problem before it even occurs. We have signed the petition to legalize seeds, and have spread awareness of the issue at all USA - Hawaii Home Rule of our events, and through all our social media channels. Moreover, – Center for Food Safety and most importantly, we have arranged a meeting with the Ohio Source: http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/video/2519/cfs-videos/cfs- So, What’s Home Rule? Department of Agriculture to hawaii/3689/hawaii-home-rule amend seed legislation in our state. Kauai, Maui and Hawaii Counties This meeting will occur at the end What’s Happening? have asserted their county’s of February 2015, and by the time authority to create policies that this report goes to print, we hope Hawaii is ground zero for the outdoor experimentation of pesticide- address these issues and protect to be well on our way towards promoting plant technologies, genetically engineered to withstand heavy the safety and health of their establishing seed legislation in spraying of toxic chemicals. residents and land. Otherwise Ohio that is both just and rational. known as “Home Rule,” Hawaii On Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and Molokai, chemical and biotechnology has shown the world just how Such an accomplishment would not companies like Monsanto, Syngenta, Dupont, Dow Chemical, Bayer, and important this kind of political be without precedent. BASF are using prime agricultural land, taking advantage of Hawaii’s power is in the movement to In mid-January a bill called SF 132 isolation and year-round growing season, in order to f ield test crops that create more safe and sovereign was introduced to the Minnesota have been genetically engineered to withstand greater applications of food systems. State Legislature. pesticides. If passed, it would exempt certain organizations, such as seed Despite public health concerns and contamination of natural resources, libraries, from Minnesota seed the State of Hawaii has taken no action to regulate the activities of law. This is a move in the right biotechnology companies performing open-air testing on genetically direction, and we feel that there engineered seed and synthetic pesticides. is much to be hoped for – in Minnesota, in Ohio, and across the United States.

Cleveland Seed Library - Photo WKYC-TV Hawaii Home Rule

102 103 American agriculture suffered massive deterioration from the 15th century onwards due to the destruction and abandonment of the local Latin systems of food production. These systems had evolved locally over the course of thousands of years, and many were exemplary in terms of America levels of food production, sustainability and resilience. Replacing these ancestral techniques with European methods resulted in the majority of cases in the gradual loss of land, aquifers, wild f lora and fauna, forest – Javier cover, and the genetic diversity of the crops. This then led to poorly adapted systems that are profoundly ineff icient and very rarely emulate the productivity of the cultures in the European glacial plains, which Carrera remain the unattainable model of these systems. Translated by Harriett Barham The abandonment of native foodstuffs was gradual, and only became complete for many regions in the last two decades of the 20th century. SEEDS OF IDENTITY AND Prior to this time they coexisted and mixed with newer products brought RESISTANCE over by immigrants from the ‘old world, creating a sort of hybrid culinary Autonomous experiences in culture of high nutritional value, commonly known as ‘Creole cuisine’ in Latin America many Latin American countries. Not all ancestral products became part of this colonial diet, and were therefore relegated for the consumption of Javier Carrera the poorer classes and indigenous groups. These foods were often easy Red de Guardianes de to produce and of high nutritional value; grown either in small gardens alongside houses and maintained by the women, or on marginal land such Semillas (Network of Seed as small enclosures, roadsides, or fallow land. Some non-native products Guardians) introduced by African slaves and immigrants of Moorish descent also became part of popular sustenance. Their consumption by the middle Welcome to this brief and by virtue and higher classes remained low as they were often considered to be of necessity, incomplete tour of How have the Chemical Companies Fought Back? “indians’ food” or “the food of the poor”. Foods such as grain amaranth, Hawaii Home Rule the seeds of Latin America. From tomatillos (husk tomato), mung beans and oca were often considered as the North to the South of the such; however, other native foodstuffs like corn, the common bean and On Kauai, residents organized to pass Ordinance 960, a measure that continent one can observe two Zapallo pumpkins (squash) were equally appreciated in the kitchens of requires large argichemical companies to disclose the pesticides they are of the most important centres of the gentry. spraying and observe buffer zones around schools, homes, and hospitals. plant domestication on the planet: The chemical companies responded by suing the county rather than Mesoamerica and the Andes. The From the mid 20th century onwards, with the arrival of the so-called telling the community what they are doing. legacy of agricultural diversity left Green Revolution and the introduction of the new agro industrial model, by the farmers of these zones is there was a profound change in the way food and diet was approached The citizens of Hawaii Island passed a law prohibiting new GE crop so high that it is only comparable in the region, with a move towards emulating the ‘global diet’ imposed production to protect the island’s biodiversity and local farmers from to one other place on earth - by the United States of America. This new diet was seen as a cultural genetic drift. The chemical companies are suing Hawaii County. Southeast Asia. identif ier of the higher social classes and the white population, which in turn led indigenous and rural families to leave behind their traditional On Maui, residents passed a citizen’s ballot initiative at the polls – calling Long before the European diets in favour of this new model. In an attempt to demonstrate their for a temporary moratorium on GE crop production until human and invasion the American people had changing social status and modernity even the Creole cuisine of the environmental health impact assessments are completed. The chemical far reaching and well travelled upper classes was abandoned, f irst in favour of French cuisine, and later companies are now suing Maui County. trade routes, which favoured the the agro industrial diet. In the 70’s the genetic erosion and loss of agro- expansion of crop areas and the biodiversity was already high and this loss only continued to accelerate in Read more – Take Action: http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/video/2519/ adaptation of plant species to the decades that followed. The 80’s and 90’s were particularly detrimental cfs-videos/cfs-hawaii/3689/hawaii-home-rule varying local conditions, thereby in the region as there were no movements f ighting to protect creating new varieties. In addition agricultural diversity, the subject went unmentioned in the media and to the incredible continental the public was yet to become conscious of the problem at hand. biodiversity that resulted from this process, species from Asia, Africa and Europe were added to the mix following the multiple invasions of the region.

104 105 what the ultimate goal of society • Grant intellectual property the altiplano of Bolivia), and Thanks to these institutes, is meant to be. Agro-ecology rights covering seeds. to denounce their effects and germplasm banks in the United and Buen Vivir (Good Living) attempt to remove them from States have been able to get their have sprung up as two broad • Create a national list of regions where they have already hands on an enormous variety political ideologies, impossible to approved seeds following a become established (Costa Rica, of seeds from Latin América; encapsulate in a singular def inition list of criteria that favours Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, unfortunately the same cannot be and under constant development . industrial seeds. Brazil and Chile). The struggle said for the people of the countries Despite being decentralised, these surrounding the UPOV 91 treaty from which they originate. In new ideas have deeply rooted • Ban or limit the circulation of and its serious long term effects on many cases, access to the guarded identities and have managed to seeds that do not appear in agro-biodiversity has received less collections in these germplasm expand across the continent, said listing, in other words all emphasis thus far, partly due to banks has been diff icult if not f inding advocates and defenders in non industrial seeds. the fact that the short term effects impossible for local producers, each and every country and even have yet to be visible, except in a as programs for the return of becoming the focal point for the Due to social protest in various few cases such as that of Colombia germplasms are limited where they new national constitutions in the countries over the course of the where uncertif ied seeds are being do exist at all. The f inancing of cases of Ecuador and Bolivia. past few years, state policies have destroyed by police forces. these centers is uncertain, hovering grown to allow for the limited between government aid or Agro-industry has been circulation of peasant seeds, also The other front line in the f ight for control and self-f inancing through undertaking its own f ight to known as Creole or even folkloric seeds is more practical: the work the sale of seeds and other promote the image of the seeds. However such policies have to recover, multiply and increase services. In practice this constitutes benef its of industrial capitalist shown to be inadequate in slowing the circulation of free seeds. a risk to the collections, some of progress through continuous genetic erosion and continue to which have been irretrievably lost media campaigns and alongside favour industrial seeds. From the 60’s onwards, state due to a lack of resources. Towards the end of the 90’s, social - a visible and living example of permanent lobbying and the run agrarian or mixed research movements across the continent cultural heritage - they represent inf iltration of government. Their In the majority of cases the institutes have been up and This leaves no answer to the became extremely active, achieving the gift of life and the promise businesslike tactics are often introduction of genetically running in all the countries of growing demand for free and change in various domains and of a future. So linked are they illegitimate but have allowed for modif ied (GM) crops goes hand the continent, with dedicated organic seeds on behalf of the pushing a signif icant percentage to the production, preparation their continued expansion into in hand with the implementation seed programs. They tend to be population. To respond to said of the population to become and consumption of food that the f ields and kitchens of the of these guidelines, as part of a similar in many ways, from their demand, seed groups have more politically active. They put seeds always draw attention and continent. The concentration of comprehensive model designed names (INIAP, INDA, INA) to their been organising across the value back into ‘the indigenous’, provoke an emotional response in economic and political power, land to replace peasant seeds with origins and objectives. From their continent, generally made up of rewrote history and questioned Latin American cultures. As seed grabbing, water privatisation, the industrial seeds. beginnings they have had a double autonomous networks, founded the prevailing development models are the bearers of such powerful aggressive introduction of mining In the last 20 years political mandate: to collect, catalogue and coordinated by ordinary in search of a way to reconstruct symbolic value, many movements and heightened state repression activism and the protection of free and store specimens of national citizens, that bring together social identity. Slowly but surely, around the continent seek the are but some of the characteristics seeds has been carried out by two agricultural diversity (and send families of independent seed food and its production methods political protection of both seeds of a political atmosphere which types of actors: them to the global north) and also producers. These families are called became an important aspect and food diversity, especially in favours large corporations (often to create local hybrid varieties of Semilleristas (Seedists), Cuidadores of this struggle. This new Latin the face of the renewed assault of built on foreign capital invested • Peasant and indigenous certain commercially interesting de Semillas (Seed Caretakers) American identity that was being the Green Revolution which since into the country either directly organisations with wide appeal crops that would work within or Guardianas de Semillas (Seed created had food at its heart, and the 90’s has resulted in the massive or through local entrepreneurs); and social presence. the agro industrial model of the Guardians). These networks tend its impact was multi-faceted, from introduction of a new generation seeds are but another of these green revolution. The creation of to be based around decentralised historic identity and gastronomy to of agrochemicals and genetically related issues. • Non Governmental said institutes was largely driven and horizontal organisational adequate nutrition, agro-ecological modif ied seeds. The increasing organisations and individuals, and f inanced by the Rockefeller models, with a particular emphasis production methods, food- public awareness surrounding food Not all Latin American countries scientists, chefs (cooks), Foundation, with the backing on communication and group sovereignty and land and water has clashed with the expansion of signed the international experts and activists that of the Ford Foundation and the meetings; although some have rights. the agro-industrial model and led treaty UPOV 91 relating to the counsel social organisations IDA, as part of a North American chosen to take the route to to intense confrontations. These intellectual property rights and speak publicly about the strategy to expand a model based become registered charities along It was in the midst of all this that clashes have since overf lowed over plant varieties. However, issue. on monoculture, agrochemicals with the bureaucratic load that civil society movements specif ically from the agricultural domain in practice, all governments on and mechanisation which relied on that implies. concerned with the future of seeds and become involved in a much the continent are attempting or The struggle has centred mainly seeds specif ically adapted to said were seen to spring up in each larger debate concerning two very have achieved the implementation around the issue of transgenic system. and every country. Seeds that are different views in relation to: ways of laws which follow the basic crops: to stop them entering laden with signif icance: they are of life, development models, supply principles of said treaty: regions they have yet to be legally the f irst link in the food chain chains, economic systems and allowed into (Ecuador, Peru, 106 107 The autonomous networks don’t generally organised on the basis receive permanent f inancing but of petitions from the people of base their work on consistent a specif ic region, and many of volunteering efforts by their the local networks grew in this members to maintain the way, thanks to the enthusiasm production and distributions generated by such meetings. They of seeds. By keeping their are the catalysts of the movement. administrative body to a minimum their bureaucratic requirements RSLChile doesn’t have banks or are almost nonexistent, yet despite houses of organised seeds to fall this, in some cases they have back on, there is one in Copequén achieved impressive results not in the 6th region, but its reach only in recovering, reproducing and remains only local. The central distributing seeds but also through coordination off ice currently has their positive inf luence on society. a collection of low prof ile seeds The scarcity of access to resources which is open to the public, and has meant that each individual members of the network are network has developed their own aiming to organise their own seed strategies, striving for the best houses once the local outposts possible eff iciency to achieve their have been formalised, hopefully in objectives. 2015.

For the purpose of this report we It is very diff icult to quantify the have undertaken case-studies of Cerealero” (Cereal Movement), source of the food from which quantity and variety of seeds that f ive Latin American networks if where producers come together human beings f lourish (physically, are being worked with, there is no this type, through interviews with towork in partnerships to save spiritually, socially, culturally, plan to create a national registry the local coordinators. All of these Chile ancient varieties of seeds, etc.). As of yet there is no formal of seeds - each local network is national networks are part of a which unites the entire chain of membership, although the hope is considered responsible for their growing continental network. Valentina Vives Granella, National coordinator, Red de Semillas Libres de production all the way through to to implement this in 2015. own records and expected to We began with two very broad Chile (RSLChile, Chilean Network for Free Seeds) the commercialisation of the f inal The main and most effective coordinate their work with others questions: product. The national network is act of RSLChile has been the free seed centers around the http://semillaslibres.cl/ nourished and sustained by this organization of Seasonal Meetings country. 1. Which strategies have been the diversity of actions and interests. (Encuentro Estacionales). Since most successful in promoting RSLChile began as recently as 2011, however in that short time its growth Until now local efforts have being introduced in 2012 they have the freedom of seeds and the has been rapid, thanks in part to the high level of interest surrounding remained informal, but the hope taken place approximately once use of free seeds? seeds and ecological production in Chile. is to begin formalising them in every three months, in a different January 2015. locality or region each time and 2. What concrete threats has 1. Which strategies have been the most successful in with a wide variety of attendees, seed freedom faced in your Members of these networks are attracting crowds of between 25 promoting the freedom of seeds and the use of free seeds? country? natural people (in legal terms), and 150 participants. whose very participation is a vote The network is currently made up of seven regional groups: the 5th Let us allow for these voices to of conf idence in our work, and Other activities also take place region (Valparaíso), the metropolitan region (Santiago), Maipo, Biobío, express themselves, from the who devote their time, energy and within these meeting spaces, such Wallmapu, Willi Mapu and Chiloé, all differing in many aspects. Some North to the South of Latin work to the network. It is diff icult as seed exchanges, workshops, have implemented formalized policies whilst others remain more America: to ascertain exactly how many exhibitions and discussions. These informal, but all are part of both the national and continental network. people are currently members; events retain a very human and The activities of each individual network depend on the interests and there are approximately 60 active informal feeling with a line-up duties of its members and coordinators. The Wallmapu network for members whilst around 100 more subject to change at a moment’s example has strong ties to the Mapuche culture and the international identify as ‘seed friends’ and notice, people gather in circles Slow Food movement, and many of its activities are linked to foodstuffs participate in a more peripheral with the simple goal of sharing with a cultural and territorial identity. The Biobío network is more manner. RSLChile enjoys a diverse experiences and visions, learning technical and based around educational aspects whereas in Valparaíso membership - in terms of age, and immersing the collective there are fewer protocols and structures and their activities are focused position and daily tasks - all united in love and kindness for seeds on production practices and permaculture. For example the “Movimiento by a commitment to seeds as the and the Earth. The meetings are photo: Red Semillas Libers Chile 108 109 Highest in demand are horticultural seeds, followed by medicinal seeds the use of industrial seeds and and then native tree varieties. At times requests come in for provisions of agrochemicals. A vicious cycle of seeds by the kilo: mostly for legumes, cereals and fodder crops. dependency is being promoted, The recovery strategy for seeds has been the promotion of native and which has already caused creole (local) varieties, the network avoids importation when producing untold damage (cultural and in large quantities. They work to adapt foreign seeds to local conditions biological erosion, land loss, water before promoting their use. Another essential strategy has been constant contamination and much more). communication, through both email newsletters and social networking sites. On a wider level the state is abandoning the agricultural credit Their relationship with public organisations and NGO’s has been very sector and handing it over to important: spokespeople and coordinators from the networks give talks private banking. This only makes and participate in forums at schools, universities, communities and local the conditions of indebtedness that government. They achieve political advocacy through participating in the much harder for rural populations creation of proposals at a civil society level. and farmers, and ultimately favours land grabbing. Finally, RSLChile has decided to legalise an administrative body which Ecuador 1. Which strategies have Since 2012, the Assembly decides would be able to provide services, collect f inancial funding and build The Chilean state has yet to end upon which lines of work to formal alliances with other institutions. This would be in the form of its aggressive push towards an been the most successful in Javier Carrera, Red de Guardianes pursue, which are then put into a Service Cooperative going by the name of Semilla Austral (Southern agro exportation model. The promoting the freedom of de Semillas (Seed Guardians practice over the course of the Seed). In the medium to long term, the hope is that it would support the strategy most in vogue currently seeds and the use of free Network) year by coordinating committees. formation of cooperatives within each local (or bioregional) network. is to link (or for want of a better seeds? These come together as and word, chain) rural workers to www.redsemillas.org when needed, and are staffed by The impact RSLChile has had within the country has been enormous, this model through ‘clusters’ and At the top of that list would have members who have a particular f inding their own space within important spheres of political debate and ‘clubs’ of producers, who act as to be the governance model of The Seed Guardians Network interest in the subject (interest generating an increasing level of interest within the population, especially intermediaries for contracts with the network, which differs from (RGS) was founded in November groups). There is a Counsel tasked with young and indigenous peoples. large companies and supermarkets, a more traditional organisational 2002, although plans for its with protecting the good name of which in reality imposes model. The main decision making creation were in the pipeline from the network, promoting respectful increasingly tough and unjust body which fulf ills legislative 2. What concrete threats has seed freedom faced in your 2000 but still in search of funding. relationships amongst members conditions upon the producers. functions and general planning, country? Resources were hard to come by as and generally upholding the is the Assembly of the network the issue had yet to gain as much network’s culture. A culture which Overall however, the greatest which comes together once a year. Currently our greatest worry is the Law on Plant Breeders Rights and recognition as it has today, so is recognised for its ecological threat is without a doubt the social All members have a voice in this the Protection of Seeds and Traditional Practices (Ley de Derechos four friends declared the network radicalism, the excellence of its apathy which seems to characterise space, including the most recently de Obtentores Vegetales y de Protección de las Semillas y Prácticas founded after an afternoon spent work and the human quality of its our society, the lack of collective joined, however only members Tradicionales) which is under review to bring it in line with the talking shop in a small cafe in the members and social processes. action which in itself is a product who have been recognised as Seed international treaty UPOV 91. The aim is to reorganise the entire public village of Tumbaco, Ecuador, with of the social repression our people Guardians - for their knowledge, system in relation to seeds in accordance with the application of this no economic support at all. The members of the network experienced during the very long treaty, which would be a national catastrophe in terms of germplasm honesty, commitment and are natural persons (in legal dictatorship years - the wounds of outreach work - have the right to and traditional agricultural practices. We consider this to mask the Throughout its history the RGS terms), although they may which are far from having healed. vote. There are currently around true nature of the reforms, although the law does make some simple has maintained certain essential represent families, organisations 100 Guardian members at this time, strategic concessions to include peasant seeds, ultimately it is but another characteristics: independence in or communities. Each member but on average only half of these implementation of the UPOV 91 and the Codex Alimentarius. its decision making, horizontal has complete autonomy: the members are able to attend the Another issue up for debate is certif ication. In Chile, a participatory organisation and hierarchy in its network is simply a space for yearly meeting. 60% of them are organic certif ication does legally exist; however its application is messy governance, and an emphasis meeting, exchanging and for the women, and only 30% of members and bureaucratic, and doesn’t work well in practice. It is for this reason on practical and radical agro- coordination of projects involving have completed a degree in higher that we maintain that there are no certif ication systems in place that ecological work. several members. The network truly belong (and include cultural identity) and that are easy to use. education. In any case, it is very continually strives to promote the rare for the Assembly to call a vote identity and work of its members, Equally at issue is the inherent contradiction that exists between what as the majority of decisions are empowering them at both a local is being said by the Chilean government on the one hand, and its actions made by consensus, following a and national level; the individuals on the other. It declared this year dedicated to Familial and Peasant discussion around a seated circle. are the key actors, the stars of the Agriculture and the government has called for panels and committees to show. promote organic agriculture, yet in practice the entire public apparatus photo: Red de Guardianes de only increases the use of synthetic packages, which leads in turn to Semillas Ecuador 110 111 seed bank’s collection to • The production of guaranteed quality seeds for sale: In the past two Flower” (Flor Ecológica). A continue to grow the returned years we have been actively working on a system which includes: simple visual system easily seeds don't necessarily have the creation and implementation of a Participatory Guarantee understood by the public, to be of the same species. The System designed specif ically for the production of organic seeds, the it promotes unity between general public can also buy or development of adapted production protocols for seed species which the producers themselves exchange seeds and in some are in high demand, and the training of specialised personnel for and also in their relationship cases donations are made. The the production of seeds of guaranteed quality within said system. with consumers. We consider centre cares for its collections We hope to be able to supply organic producers around the country that the seed producers who through germination tests and with a selection of high quality and locally adapted seeds in the near invest so much time in their uses specially adapted storage future. professional development and and cataloguing techniques in the selection of their seeds which are overseen by one or • To facilitate connections: both our members and the general public for optimum quality, deserve two permanent staff members frequently write to us in search of a specif ic seed, the advice of an to have their work supported and up to f ive volunteers. expert, or a particular piece of information. The network’s social by the public through the coordination forwards such demands to all members, collecting purchase of their seeds. To • Seed recovery campaigns: and redirecting all answers as well. Thanks to this, the network be a Seed Guardian is to be a each year one endangered acts as an enormous bank of knowledge, products and services, all craftsman of the highest level. native species in need of interconnected for the common good of the Ecuadorian people, and Furthermore, we believe that rapid multiplication is chosen time and again it has proved its worth. For example, we recently the current economic problems and seeds are sought out compiled a database of experts in native bees and located a lesser- don't stem from economic amongst members of the known native plant (the Ratania), all with the help of the network. exchange as such, which is network. These are then both necessary and sacred, but multiplied in the vegetable Beyond their practical work with seeds the RSG has developed from the manner in which the These organisational characteristics • Group trips to the estates of gardens and larger plantations complementary strategies to further broadcast their message, which with economy has been seized and are important, as it is thanks to Guardian members, which of the members to be later time have become permanent processes forming part of their own direct continues to be controlled by them that the RGS has achieved promote a deeper unity within distributed to the public, lines of action: groups of power. We believe such incredible results with such the group. ensuring that those who that it is our duty to take back minimal economic resources. receive the seeds are equally • Education: The network allows its members the possibility to such spaces. There is no central planning, the • The dynamic distribution of committed to multiplying broadcast and co-organise all types of educational events relative to network acts more like a river into seeds: The National Centre for and distributing them even practical ecology and somehow related to seeds. They have previously • Consultancy and outreach: which smaller streams converge, the Coordination of Seeds (the further. Alongside the seeds organised certif ied courses in permaculture, urban gardens, edible members of the RSG have bringing with them the interests seed house for the network) themselves, information is also forests, ancient agroecology, food history, alpaca f ibre uses and been providing consultancy and autonomous actions of their maintains a catalogued distributed concerning the patrimonial cooking, amongst others. The educational branch of the services for more than a members. A river which f lows collection of seeds, the main growth characteristics and use RGS is called the Ecoversity of the Equatorial Andes (Ecoversidad de decade, concerning anything slowly or speeds up depending on objective of which is not to of the species. So far there los Andes Ecuatoriales, www.ecoversidad.redsemillas.org) and works from practical issues to social the prevailing conditions, which act as a reserve but to get have been recovery campaigns semi autonomously although it continues to act under supervision and political concerns for overcomes obstacles in its path in the collected seeds back into for the Jícama or Yacón from the network’s Council. Ecoversity events must all meet a high individuals as well as private often unexpected ways and whose circulation fast, as we believe (Smallanthus sonchifolius), the standard in terms of the issues they cover and their methodology, enterprises, rural organisations course is rewritten with each and that the best seed bank is the Mauka (Mirabilis expansa), whilst also being practical and fun. Education within the agroecology and state agencies. They also every step. But most importantly, earth itself. The catalogue is the ancient Manabí maize sector is essential for the development of new models to allow free openly participate in the a river which never fails to move published on the network’s of the tropical lowlands and seeds to continue to evolve. public media, often through forward towards its ultimate goal: website. The centre receives the Jatunzara of the, and a interviews and always with the construction of a more just requests for all kinds of seeds, three bean locally known as • Commerce: Through the management of various small markets the aim of promoting the issue and fair society in harmony with and in cases where they are Porotón (Erythrina edulis). and shops, the RGS has been acting as a living laboratory since 2011 of seeds and environmental Nature. unable to immediately respond 2015 is the year of the Penco - developing methods, evaluating proposals and getting to know awareness. from their own stock, they (Agave americana). Since 2013 products - in a solidarity-based market culture directly controlled In terms of the seeds themselves, search out other members the Recovery Campaigns have by its members, both as producers and consumers. The logic behind the most relevant and successful who may be able to step in. been linked to the Slow Food this tactic is that free seeds won't blossom much further from the strategies have been: Members can obtain seeds movement’s ‘Ark of Taste’, tiny niche within which they are barely surviving at the moment, following the seed credit as members of the network if the public doesn't considerably increase the consumption of their • Seed exchanges at national and model, by which they commit are also part of its national fruits. So far they have developed their own accounting methods, regional meetings. to returning 300% of what committee. customer service culture and product management model, although they originally took without without a doubt their most widely recognised achievement was other cost. To allow for the the creation of the Participatory Guarantee System “Ecological 112 113 Publications: the RGS formerly published a magazine, called Allpa (earth in Kichwa) but printing stopped after number 9. It was well regarded in Latin America for the quality of its content and graphics, which were within reach of and well received by the general public. In 2015 it has returned as a digital magazine, hoping to reach a wider audience in the spanish speaking world. Previous copies can be read and downloaded for free at www.allpa.redsemillas.org and the digital magazine is hosted at www.allpachaski.com.

2. What concrete threats has seed freedom faced in your country?

The greatest threat at the moment is the possibility of the Ecuadorian state implementing a new seed law along the lines of the UPOV 91 treaty, although Ecuador didn't actually sign the treaty itself. A couple of years ago a similar proposal was made by the Minister for Agriculture Livestock and Fishing, centering around support for the industrial seed industry and only leaving a minimal window of action for free seeds that fall under the “folkloric seeds” denomination. This proposal was in competition with four others from various different state agencies, including one put forward by a civil society participatory committee made up of over 2000 people belonging to social organisations. Known as the COPISA law, this last proposal protected free seeds in a variety of ways, including limiting the f ield of action of industrial seeds, photo: Bloque Verde making clear the dangerous exception that these seeds represent and the need to control them. None of the proposals were accepted by the National Assembly, which has yet to comment on the matter, but it is Costa Rica Thirdly, and partly as a result suspected that they will draw up a law combining elements from the of the previous two processes, different proposals, but probably favouring the agro-industrial model. Fabián Pacheco, Bloque Verde (1) (Green Bloc) we have been working on the The often heard discourse from the government remains the same: that creation of seed Houses. Three to be competitive and increase productivity the certif ication of seeds http://bloqueverde.blogspot.com/ of these centres are already well is essential, as if low agricultural productivity was entirely due to low established and work to protect quality seeds, when in reality depleted soils and inadequate production The Green Bloc (Bloque Verde) is an organisation made up of students, and distribute collections of seeds. systems are to blame. They talk of allowing participatory guarantee academics, farmers, and citizens in general who all self identify as Currently many people linked to systems to exist, but designed and controlled by one or more state ecologists. Their actions have been fundamental not only in slowing the the movement are dedicating parts agencies. Furthermore, during a state visit to the European Union, the advances of transgenic crops in Costa Rica, but also in promoting the use of their gardens to the production President of the Republic offered to remove the current constitutional of free seeds, agroecology and food-sovereignty. of seeds, which then supply these ban on the patenting of ancestral knowledge. Houses. The implementation of this model worries us because it could render the 1. Which strategies have been the most successful in work that the Network of Seed Guardians currently does, illegal, or at promoting the freedom of seeds and the use of free seeds? best impose a bureaucratic burden which would make our work much harder. The current government has given the State excessive amounts of The most important strategy has been the organisation of Festivals. control over the processes of civil society. They unite culinary art grounded in local agro-biodiversity with cultural identity and traditions. The aim is to revalue traditional knowledge, The other great concern is the possible legalisation of GM crops. The recover seeds and the cultural information they carry, and to return said government has on various occasions shown its support for such crops seeds to their ancestral territorial origins. The Festivals, which happen on and the need to change the constitution to allow them, as in its current a bimonthly basis, also serve to revitalise local economies and since 2005 state (approved by 80% of the population in 2008) transgenics are only more than 30 have taken place. allowed to be planted in the country in case of emergency and after approval from the National Assembly. On more than one occasion the Secondly, and on a more practical level, we organise technical training debate has reached the media, who unfortunately also support the agro- courses within communities. As well as the chosen discussion topics other industrial model, as does the country’s scientif ic community. But the knowledge is shared, concerning best practices following seed harvesting, opposition has been strong, from social organisations to scientists and reproduction tips and techniques, and basic plant genetics for seed producers. cooks, and at the moment the topic is largely dormant. 114 115 Moving on to our political The most notable example is 2. What concrete threats has Costa Rica produces genetically was brought forward by the agenda, in the past few years the Municipality of Talamanca, seed freedom faced in your modif ied cotton seeds and soy for Ombudsman’s off ice in May 2013. there has been much work on an important territory due to country? the export market, but they are Basically, both appeals maintain the Declaration of GMO Free the presence of indigenous not authorised for use within the that the law is unconstitutional as

Territories (Declaratoria de communities and because 70% country. However, this remains it doesn't take into account any The approval of the UPOV 91 Territorios Libres de Transgénicos) of the land remains covered in a permanent concern. There are environmental impact studies and law is of great concern to us, it which has successfully collected native forest. They celebrate the also experimental transgenic because it restricts civil society’s came within a larger framework, signatures from 75 municipal Talamancan day of the Rural Seed, crops of maize, pineapples, access to technical information. including other complementary councils declaring themselves a large festival which has received bananas, rice and tannia (locally According to the Constitutional laws, as part of the free trade Free From GMO’s (this represents national recognition. known as Tiquisque; Xanthosoma Chamber, the state won't be able treaty with the USA in 2011. 92% of municipal councils in the sagittifolium). To date there have to give authorisations for the Another worrying issue in the country). The Festivals were Ultimately, what has helped us been no requests to sow these introduction of GM varieties until introduction of genetically an important platform for the most in this campaign is having genetically modif ied crops for their the appeals in question have been modif ied corn as a grain to be promotion of this proposal, linking understood the art of how to commercial use within the country. resolved, and until that moment used for animal feed and in the it to the enjoyment and pleasure capture people’s attention and win all new requests for the sowing of production of industrial foodstuffs. of food, autonomy and cultural their solidarity: the colours and The total area covered such seeds will remain paralysed. There is no control over the use of identity. The anti-transgenic enjoyment of food, music, and the by transgenic crops, both this grain, which renders our bio- movement was f irst launched in pleasure of communal activities. experimental and for export, stood 1. In the writing of this article security vulnerable as they could 2005. Happiness. This is what has roused at a little over 630 acres in 2013. two sources were used: one be being planted. such enthusiastic participation direct interview with Fabián Monsanto attempted to have As well as signing the Free from the population, creating such Phytosanitary Protection Law n.° Pacheco, and the article genetically modif ied corn From GMO declarations, a rich network of activists focused 7664 which allows for the growing “Situación de los cultivos recognised as a seed, but was there is also a push for zones on ecology and social justice. of genetically modif ied organisms transgénicos en Costa Rica” unsuccessful thanks to the citizen which have representative in the country has had two amparo (the Situation of GM Crops marches which took place, and in populations of important applications f iled against it before in Costa Rica) by Fabián which we took part. seeds to declare themselves as the Constitutional Chamber. Pacheco and Jaime E. García Sanctuary Districts for Farmer’s One of them was presented González, published in Acta Seeds (Cantones Santuarios de by members of the civil sector Académica 54 (May 2014): pp Semillas Campesinas). These (farmers, ecologists and a deputy 29-60, reproduced with the sanctuaries can then develop from the Legislative Assembly) authorisation of the author. their own agendas for activities. in December 2012, and the other 116 117 Guatemala

Ronaldo Lec Ajcot, Instituto Mesoamericano de Permacultura (IMAP) (Mesoamerican Permaculture Institute)

https://imapermacultura.wordpress. com/

The IMAP was founded in 2000 to act as an incentive for Guatemalan society to construct sustainable ways of life, emphasising work with seeds as one of their main lines of work.

1. Which strategies have been the most successful in promoting the freedom of seeds and the use of free seeds?

We have worked hard to promote seeds in various ways: For years we have been giving workshops and classes on the creation of community seed banks, including the necessary production techniques. There aren’t many organisations working on this issue in the country.

We have our own seed bank. Our aim is not to store seeds there, but to channel and redistribute them. We consider the land itself to be the best place to store seeds. In the seed bank seeds can be bought, sold or exchanged, we even give seed credit and make donations (particularly to schools). We have been criticised for selling seeds, with people having argued that seeds belong to everyone, but we realized that when something belongs to everyone, unfortunately nobody truly takes care of it. We have struggled for many years now with how to attach economic value to native and Creole seeds, as a way to incentivise farmers and peasants in their production. We photo: IMAP

118 119 2. What concrete threats has seed freedom faced in your country?

Native and creole plants are often devalued. This is part of an environment of loss of culture and local identity which we have been experiencing for decades now. The model of the green revolution, oriented towards export agriculture, is being imposed and promoted by the state along with universities, cooperation agencies and the large capital business sector.

The established trade laws and the free trade agreement with the United States (TLC) have caused a complete loss of food-sovereignty in the country. Despite this, maize, the nation’s main sustenance crop, has not been heavily affected by the model as most of the maize destined for human consumption is came to the conclusion that the best way was through their sale. This There is an increasing monopolization of the seed sector with Monsanto photo: IMAP produced by rural families. way producers who enjoy working with seeds can earn a living choosing buying up seed businesses and there are even rumours circulating that quality seeds. The other interest we have is in responding to the demand One serious problem caused by the the Agricultural Science and Technology Institute of Guatemala (Instituto from the organic and alternative agriculture movement, who had no TLC is that Guatemala can only de Ciencia y Tecnología Agrícola de Guatemala) may be privatised, and source of seeds from within the country until we began our work. produce 10% of the seeds that it that Monsanto hopes to buy it. needs without being sanctioned The IMAP seed bank is supplied by around f ifty members, woven into for unfair competition. Monsanto The farming of GM crops is not legally approved in the country, although a network. It is currently economically self suff icient, although it needs produces many of the country’s there have already been trials with commercial crops, so far without more producers to respond to the increase in demand. seeds (information from the permission. ICTA, http://www.icta.gob.gt/). As a result of the workshops that we provide, six new seeds banks have Guatemala voted against the law In Guatemala land distribution is very inequitable, one of the worst cases sprung up across the country. They are linked to both the IMAP and the which enforced the UPOV treaty in the hemisphere, which directly impacts food-sovereignty. Network for Guatemalan Food Sovereignty and Security (REDSSAG, Red guidelines (http://seedmap.org/ de Seguridad y Soberanía Alimentaria de Guatemala), a collective that guatemala-say-no-to-upov/) but Lastly, we are suffering the effects of climate change and this will have a brings together agroecology movements across the country. The largest in practice the law will come into tremendous effect on seeds. is the Cachualón Seed Bank which gathers 200 producers. effect if the country wishes to remain part of the TLC and not Another important f ield of work is the cultural appreciation of the seed, pay sanctions. Currently the law of the knowledge tied to the seeds themselves, the identity, the history has been temporarily repealed, and the cuisine. We continually organise workshops to teach about the although not entirely withdrawn, preparation of native plants for cooking, especially the highly nutritive and the pressure for it to be varieties such as chaya (Tree spinach), amaranth, chia and cacao. applied is surely mounting. We Lastly, we take part in markets and agricultural fairs organised by the hope to be able to negotiate as REDSSAG. Costa Rica did, to allow for some protection of small scale producers.

photo: IMAP

120 121 México Our work has centered around the cultural identity and the our support for rural organisations traditions associated with seeds. Adelita San Vicente Tello, Seeds of in their different seed-linked A good example being the blessing Life Foundation (Fundación Semillas activities. Generally we help them rituals of the seeds, community de Vida) to identify and f ind the varieties of activities in which syncretism is seed which would be best suited achieved between christianity and http://www.semillasdevida.org.mx/ to their local environment, through ancestral spirituality, a balance a diagnostic test based on the between the pre hispanic, colonial The Seeds of Life Foundation is a different types of maize and their and modern. civil association founded in 2007, associated plants in the ancestral it focuses on the quality of seeds model of mixed crop system We continually chat with other and the knowledge linked to them, known as “Millpa”. It is necessary organisations about the issue of in particular relating to Mexican to understand that in Mexico seeds, covering all aspects of the maize and the plants associated maize is by far the most important issue: practical, social, cultural and with its growth. crop, our ancestors developed the political. It is interesting to observe plant from its wild relatives and how seeds can trigger other 1. Which strategies have still today not only is it eaten here processes. been the most successful in in Mexico, but we still speak and think of food production in terms We are also working with promoting the freedom of of maize. vegetable seeds, which are seeds and the use of free important in Mexico because Although many of us who work here at Seeds of Life were not born in 2. What concrete threats has seeds? We also support rural plant they are currently dominated by the countryside, as peasants or farmers, we have become accustomed seed freedom faced in your breeding processes. For example, corporations. There have been to growing part of our own food from seeds, as part of a personal country? In Mexico we have found it very in certain zones there has been a successful examples of rural transformation on the way to achieving global change. helpful to ground our work in rural massal selection of the maize, a production of these seeds, but only Mexico has been one of the largest history, which dates back at least process which looks at the whole on a small scale. One very positive aspect of Mexico is that over 50% of the territory is in development centres of the green 8000 years. For the countrymen plant in the context of its growth. the hands of social partners: communities and ejidos, as a result of the revolution since its very beginnings who have inherited from this long Mexico is the only country whose agrarian reform initiated during the Mexican Revolution. This brings us as many Mexican agronomists, tradition, it seems only logical Another essential strategy is the gastronomy has been declared a great hope, as to have a rural population that owns and is settled on its now in their seventies, all studied for seeds to be free, as they have organisation of Seed Fairs, of which Heritage of Humanity. We are land is a requisite for the successful conservation of rural seeds, with the under this ideological framework in worked closely with them for there are around 65 every year. At capitalising on this event to push goal of achieving Food Sovereignty. Perhaps thanks to this fact, when the the USA. such a large part of their history. these fairs seeds can be exchanged forth the issue of culture, the National Council for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (Consejo It is for this reason that despite and sold, and it is up to the association of the seed with our Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad) organised a the impulse given to the green farmers to decide what they wish food heritage, as well as singling national collection of maize, they found today a greater diversity than revolution in the country, less to sell or exchange. This autonomy out rural seeds as an essential part was seen in the 60’s at the very beginning of the green revolution. than 25% of the maize sown today concerning their economic of the search for better nutrition. is hybrid. To that, we can add the decisions is an essential aspect of As part of our political agenda we The next meeting of the global Committee for Biological Diversity will climatic diversity of the country, which keeping the f low of seeds in their have joined the Sin Maiz no hay País take place in Mexico in 2016. has made it harder to standardise hands and under their control. campaign (No Maize, No Country) photo: Sin Maiz no Hay Pais production with uniform seed types. We have also worked to recover (http://www.sinmaiznohaypais.org/). 122 123 State institutions have been shut grant such permissions. For now Conclusions The future of seeds on the down by the state, and there is it is only a precautionary measure continent depends on a variety now a strong campaign on behalf for the duration of a trial which Latin American cultures have a profound respect for seeds and a natural of actors: governments, rural and of transnational corporations to was initiated by the Collective inclination to defend their freedom, a character trait inherited from their indigenous organisations, business introduce hybrid seeds across the Action group (Acción Colectiva) agricultural ancestors and their long history of struggles for their own groups, intellectuals, academics, country, including in zones with and to which 53 social groups, freedoms, well being and justice - struggles which have left an indelible agronomists and politicians. But climates that would be unsuited to including 20 rural and indigenous mark on society across the continent. without a doubt it also depends said crops. organisations, have joined f ighting on a host of new actors, such as The biggest lasting damage came against the government agencies The strategies developed by the different movements are diverse, and the independent networks of from shock of the arrival of the and transnational organisations although they all respond to the realities of a specif ic nation or cultural Caretakers and Seed Guardians, transnational corporations 20 odd (Monsanto, Pioneer, Dow, region, without a doubt this cross-pollination of ideas and experiences who have been able to adapt, years ago, with the Free Trade Syngenta, Dupont) who are will be of great benef it to all. On the other hand the strategies used recover and promote seeds, Agreement with North America. responsible for the expansion of by the agricultural industry are uniform. The threats identif ied in the winning the heart of the people in Since then our government GMO’s in the country. different interviews all point to a single strategy that is being used to the process and who continue to has been worn down by said introduce industrial seeds on the continent, although it may present f ight tirelessly for our food and the transnational corporations, seeking some local variations it is in essence the same: future wellbeing of humanity, one to help them prosper and benef it, seed at a time. often to the detriment of the • the appropriation of ancestral knowledge and of biodiversity Mexican population. • a seed registry and a ban or restriction on the use and circulation of The contamination from GMO’s in free seeds Mexican maize is a very real issue, but for now the damage remains • massive introduction of GMO’s reversible. The production of GM crops is not currently legal in the • monopolised domination of the seed sector by well know country, and from the 5th July transnational corporations in the f ield, through lobbying and 2013 by legal order, the Mexican inf iltration of the government as well as a mediatic assault of the government has been unable to population to further their interests. 124 125 The Vandana Shiva Home Rule Tour – USA, Hawaii – January 2015

Seed Freedom in America Conferences Videos http://www.navdanya.org/ blog/?p=1973

Canada – April 2014 Dr. Vandana Shiva: Fighting the GMO giants Launch of Satya Graha against http://pialberta.org/content/dr-vandana-shiva-f ighting-gmo-giants Bill C-18 Activist Vandanda Shiva calls for ‘satyagraha’ against federal Bill C-18 As part of the Global Movement PORTLAND OR, US: Help http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2014/04/12/activist-vandanda-shiva-calls- to Reclaim Seed as Commons, for-satyagraha-against-federal-bill-c-18/ Make Portland Come Alive International Call for non co- with YES ON 92 lawn signs! operation and civil disobedience VIDEO - Vandana Shiva in Edmonton, April 11, 2014 with Oregon Right To Know against laws such as Bill C-18 which http://youtu.be/gPreph9dtT8 will rob Canadaian farmers from – Call to Action 2014: their right to save and exchange http://seedfreedom.in/events/help- seeds and further corporatize the make-portland-come-alive-with- food and agricultural system. yes-on-92-lawn-signs/

Vandana Shiva sows seeds for the future: http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/ penney-kome/2014/04/vandana- shiva-sows-seeds-future-1

NORBERTO DUARTE AFP

126 127 Fraley Lecture Opposition – Seed Freedom Mobilization Tour of Latin America Iowa, USA In the wake of increasing assaults by biotech lobbies and unjust laws, the Source: http://seedfreedom.info/ networks in Ecuador and Costa Rica invited Vandana Shiva and the Seed fraley-lecture-opposition-iowa-usa/ Freedom team to speak at conferences of the Latin American Alliance for Seed Freedom and Food Freedom, and conduct workshops and A group of graduate students at exchanges with Women Seed Guardians and farmers of Latin America as Iowa State attended the Robert well as university students and seed savers and networks. They invited Fraley lecture on Oct. 15 to listen the Seed Freedom Movement to create a global solidarity for their to his speech that was given in movements, integrating them into the Global Citizens Response and celebration of the World Food thus help strengthen the movements. The Latin American Seed Freedom Prize. Out of the six students mobilization tour has led to a strengthening of disparate movements that came to silently protest, 5 working on diverse issues to come together. The Free Seeds Network of wore gas masks and signs over Latin America made up of over 200 organizations, Bloque Verde, The Seed their bodies that read messages Guardians Network, The Global Alliance of Rights of Nature are all now like “Support Food Democracy.” core partners of the Seed Freedom movement. The sixth student wore a banana costume with a sign that read As a follow up to the Seed Freedom mobilization tour, the 2 agronomists “keep me GMO-free.” Mr. Fabian Pacheco and Permaculturist and Seed Saving Expert Javier Carrera are coming for capacity building and knowledge exchange with “Our inspiration for doing the Navdanya farmers in India and Navdanya International farmers and silent protest is in reaction to European movements in Itay in Sep-Oct 2014. the recent email to Iowa State Moreover, The members of the Bloque Verde and Seed Guardians students in April of 2014 that Network of Costa Rica are visiting Navdanya India in September 2014 for offered volunteers $900 in return the steering committee meeting to discuss strategies for the next phase for consuming GMO bananas that of the Seed Freedom movement. Joint actions, campaigns research and were supposed to help increase seed rescue missions have been planned for the next phase of the Seed vitamin A levels. Students have Freedom Movement. gathered together to discuss this topic, and are looking forward to Other Key outcomes: doing other events in opposition • The SF mobilization tour of Ecuador, Costa Rica, (and meetings with of Iowa State’s involvement in this presidential candidates in CR) Brazil, Peru and Mexico. Seed brought GMO banana research”. into the center of discourse at the Rights of Nature Conference in Ecuador in Jan 2014 as well as the Permanent Tribunal on RON — presided by Vandana Shiva.

NO GMO BANANA Campaign • The movement for creating GMO Free Zones resulted in over 90% of was launched on October 2nd by Costa Rica GMO Free. The Global Movement for Seed Freedom to raise awareness about • Columbia RES 9.70 put on hold GMO bananas (expand on vit.A modif ication) being based on • Chile seed law rejected Biopiracy. • Support to the movement against gmo maize in Mexico by joining Tests on humans carried out permanent people's tribunal , providing testimony for the class action in Iowa are corporate props suit that has put an interim halt on trials and offering solidarity whose real aim is the rapid through public meetings. commercialization of pirated GMO bananas. If the Iowan trials are deemed successful, then the GMO bananas patented and issued from these tests will be used in Uganda and other developing countries.

128 129 Costa Rica – January 2014 SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA - Demonstration in front of Report with Photos, Videos, Constitutional Court – Call Articles: to Action2014, with Bloque http://seedfreedom.info/seed- freedom-mobilization-tour-of-latin- Verde: Report [Spanish]: america-costa-rica-january-2014/ http://seedfreedom.in/es/costa-rica- ecologistas-ganan-batalla-contra- los-transgenicos/

Vandana Shiva with Rural Bloque Verde Women Network of Costa Rica

Mexico – April 2014

Permanent People’s Tribunal against GMO Maize , support the movement against GM Maize and testimony for the class action suit that has put an interim halt on trials and offering solidarity through public meetings (Photo source: http://www.lacoperacha.org.mx/ vivimos-democracia-trasngenica- vandana.php)

Report with Photos and Articles: http://seedfreedom.info/seed- freedom-mobilization-tour-of-latin- america-mexico-april-2014/

With René Sánchez Galindo and Adelita San Vicente

130 131 reproductive material marketing marketing law ref lect its name ARCHE NOAH is going to make law can be regarded as a dinosaur and actually make it a marketing every effort to put the diversity from the 20th century. law, with the internal market perspective on the table of and the environment as its legal European decision makers. Europe First of all, the industrial standard basis. In addition to that, one As a seed savers organisation for crops must change from cannot protect biodiversity by based in Austria and Brussels, mandatory to voluntary. increasing productivity, right? our mission is to ensure the The “biodiversity-as-exemption” Because of this, we also demand conservation and sustainable approach puts the cart before the limitation of the legislation’s use of agricultural biodiversity, the horse. In a future-oriented scope to the anonymous market. regenerating forgotten old legislation, biodiversity, heritage Private exchanges of seeds which varieties and promoting their plants and farm-saved seeds must are in the public domain must availability in the market. be allowed to become mainstream. remain outside of the scope of this “This time it’s different”, the According to the FAO, over the legislation – be they free of Juncker Commission promised at course of the twentieth century, charge or not. the beginning of their term. we have lost about 75 percent of In light of the unquestionable need the world’s agricultural diversity. Thirdly, a future oriented seed for an ambitious reform of the And the loss continues; every day, marketing legislation must enable a EU seed and plant reproductive plant varieties disappear forever. true and fair competition on the material marketing legislation, civil Plant lovers are not the only ones market. Today, we face a very society hopes that the European who should worry about this: worrying situation in which, Commission will grasp this historic plant diversity is fundamental to according to studies, concentration opportunity to build a the food security of all people is very high. For example, in well-grounded, sustainable and on Earth. Diversity is a treasure Europe, only 5 companies own 95 irreproachable piece of legislation. Let’s celebrate diversity chamber. It ensures that our percent of conventional vegetable Austria – Arche Noah agriculture can adapt to changing varieties. Both the legislation Learn more: www.arche-noah.at EU seed marketing law: On May 6, 2013 the draft for a new EU seed marketing regulation was environmental conditions and in place, as well as its proposed challenges, such as climate change, It’s time for the diversity launched despite huge public protest. If the new EU seed regulation had replacement, constitute barriers to diseases and pests. It gives plants plant innovation, with greatly perspective! been adopted, it would have meant huge administrative hurdles and hefty limitations for biodiversity and farm-saved seeds. It would have the ability to f lourish under detrimental effects on seed threatened local varieties, ignored costumers’ and seed users’ freedom of extreme conditions and in remote users and consumers. Indeed, The current reform of European Note choice and imposed agribusiness interests. areas – in short, anywhere where no competitive, differentiated seed marketing legislation opens The seed regulation was tailored to serve corporate interests, restricting humans want to live and eat. and demand-driven seed market a window of opportunity for non-industrial plants to tiny and bureaucratic niches. Whereas the could possibly emerge under 26 systematic improvements in the There has been no formal decision at the conventional varieties were foreseen to be marketed without limits, Secondly, the legal basis of the the currently applicable and area of agro-biodiversity and time when this article went to press heritage plants were to be doomed to small bags, small quantities, small legislation must be reconsidered. proposed terms. This is due to very farm-saved seeds. After the operators, a “region of origin” norm or totally forbidden. The message The legislation’s legal basis has a burdensome and limiting rules rejection of the Barroso proposal of the law was clear: Diversity and farmers’ seeds must be an exception; detrimental impact on its main which make it incredibly diff icult by the European Parliament, industrial crops must be the rule. orientation. Today’s existing to enter the market. A start-up the Juncker Commission gets a legislation, as well as the rejected would be virtually forced to give second chance to come up with I am using the conjunctive and the past tense: For now small scale proposal, have as their legal up its efforts to enter the seed a sound piece of legislation. farmers, producers and consumers can give a sigh of relief! After a huge basis the Common Agriculture business. It is thus imperative that Civil society hopes that they will wave of protest arising from different European Member States -to Policy—and, therefore, its focus a future oriented seed marketing seize that chance. ARCHE NOAH our knowledge, at least 900.000 signatures against the seed marketing on increased productivity. This legislation allows fair and free will continue its efforts for the regulation have been collected-, the European Parliament rejected this is odd, as increasing productivity competition between different mainstreaming of both plant and very proposal in the f irst reading in March 2014. is an outdated mantra from 20th private quality schemes, as well as actor diversity. In response to this, the newly installed Juncker Commission conf irmed century war times. In fact, today in offer incentives for small and By Iga Niznik, Advocacy Off icer at in December 2014 that they will not continue working with the rejected Europe, we face not food shortage, biodiversity-oriented breeders ARCHE NOAH, The Seed Savers in proposal. They might withdraw it and replace it with a completely new but rather food waste and and producers. Farmers, home Central Europe. proposal, or, instead, modify the failed text26. In any case, we can expect obesity. In the “underdeveloped” gardeners and other seed users a more or less new proposal for the reform of the seed marketing law. parts of the world, food scarcity must not be forced to become This presents the opportunity for the Juncker Commission to come up is a distribution problem, not customers of the industrial seed with a sound piece of legislation which could translate to a sustainable, a productivity problem. Thus, producers. systematic and future-oriented reform: Today’s EU seed and plant we propose to make the seed 132 133 I held many lectures around the exchanges, often after lectures. Workshops for other organizations: Facebook group Biovrt. With more than 11 800 members, beginners and country, in cooperation with Since 2012, NGO Biogarden http://www.biovrt.com/article/ experience gardeners exchange advices, knowledge and seeds: Croatia – many associations and other has conducted 22 lectures and Odrzana-radionica-Skupljanja- https://www.facebook.com/groups/330625128170/ organizations. Topics: participated in 22 seed-exchanges. sjemenja-u-Cudesnim-v.html Biovrt - u • How and why to have an organic gardenSeeding Open door day Activities 2014 techniques Every year in our gardens since http://www.biovrt.com/article/ skladu s • Seeding techniques 2012: lectures and garden tour for Biovrt-pregled-aktivnosti-2014.html • The importance of preserving the public. prirodom old varieties of seeds Activities 2013 • Organic gardening as a source Links: http://www.biovrt.com/article/ The main goal of Biovrt -u skladu s of health, independence and Biovrt-pregled-aktivnosti-2013.html inspiration prirodom (Bio-garden - in harmony We b s ite: www.biovrt.com with nature, NGO)- is to work • Growing, collecting and storing Activities 2012 of domestic seeds http://www.biovrt.com/article/ on education and promotion of Naturala.hr Blog: Biovrt-u-skladu-s-prirodom- life in harmony with nature by http://www.naturala.hr/naturala- pregled-aktivnosti-2012.html raising awareness on sustainable "School of gardening" kolumne-o-autoru/autor- development. A program of workshops in organic silvijakolarfodor-159.html We promote biodiversity gardening, conducted for the conservation, ecological and third year in Silvija Kolar-Fodor’s Vecernji list Blog: organic food production and garden(s). Participants are coming http://blog.vecernji.hr/silvija-kolar- School of Gardening knowledge of all plants in general. from across the state. fodor

Workshops for other Lectures: Activities: Open Door Day organizations http://www.youtube.com/user/ Conservation of biodiversity (Gredica Varaždin, GSR Rijeka..) - xeenaa13 In the last 9 years we have been about organic gardening and seed planting a lot of old and rare saving. School of gardening: varieties, constantly exchanging http://www.biovrt.com/article- seeds with people from Croatia Seed exchanges category/Skola-vrtlarenja.html and beyond. In collaboration with other Through writings, columns organizations, we organize and lectures we are constantly and participate in many seed encouraging people to f ind the old types of seeds in their environment and to maintain them. Our President, Silvija Kolar- Fodor is the author of most of the content published on our website, but she also writes columns about organic gardening, life in harmony with nature and seed saving for popular newspapers and blogs («24 hours» - "Garden and home"/‘Naturala.hr’, ‘Večernji list’), where she often mentions the necessity of preserving the old varieties, especially of forgotten fruits and vegetables.

Seed Saving Workshop

134 135 Apple varieties at the Seed Festival

By the time the seed festival more people. But after Vandana Germany – became very popular not only in Shivas visit we had to f ind a bigger our region, it became the biggest hall to have enough space for all in Germany. Some other groups the visitors. Open house like permaculture groups and friends of the earth are inspired of We cooperate with a urban the event and start more and more gardening group “stadtgärtner” e.V. small seed festivals all around in from Nurnberg, with whom we Our activities in the past years the south of Germany. invite now common activities where mainly focused on the We have the impression that and seed swap become even annual seed festival in February. many free time gardeners love more important issues during the The idea is to convert our region to buy seeds and grow heirloom festival. from a center of GMOs to a center vegetables in their garden. Our We are very happy that this of diversity. concept to invite for a whole day February Peliti the seed saver of diversity makes the people to organization from Greece is This aim we try to achieve via stay, listen to the lectures, enriching the seed festival not information about heirloom seeds view the exhibitions enjoy the only with their seeds but also with and diversity. During the festival atmosphere. They are really their music. we offer lectures about these interested not only in the seeds issues. We also show exhibitions of but also in the information about heirloom varieties like apples, political aspects, like seed laws, corn, wheat, beans and others. For land grabbing and so on. this event we invite seed savers Last year Vandana Shiva visited from all over Germany. Also the festival and the hall was overf lowing. Up till now we other people connected with Seed Festival heirloom seeds join the festival. invited always in the same place, because we think by repeating the Potato Exhibiton at the concept year after year we reach Seed Festival 136 137 We also collect local heirloom varieties and grow and propagate them in our garden to keep them alive and to give them to gardeners who are interested. To spread the word we give lectures about heirloom varieties, the work of women against GMOs and for diversity and workshops about how to get your own vegetable seeds.

Very important for us is the work of our seed ark. It is a group of people who meet regularly to exchange their seeds and experiences concerning seed harvesting, cleaning and growing heirloom varieties. In winter we usually meet indoors but in summer we visit each other in our gardens and we also visit interesting nurseries. In this way we learn more about seed keeping and propagating the diversity in our gardens. The seed ark is growing from year to year.

Seedark members swapping plants

Heirloom varieties of our region 138 139 This global loss of traditional seeds applies also to Greece. For example, Greece is a cradle of biodiversity only 1% of wheat varieties and 2-3% of vegetable varieties cultivated with a very high number of species 50 years ago is still in cultivation according to N. Stavropoulos the f irst and a large number of endemic director of the Greek National Seed Bank created in 1981. Greece being ones. For this reason in 1981, FAO part of the EU has to follow European legislation. Existing legislation subsidized the creation of a seed supports the commercialization of industry seeds through registration to bank in the city of Thessaloniki a catalogue and puts restrictions to the circulation of farmer seeds . which now-due to the economic A farmer cannot sell seeds unless registered, but registration criteria crisis is underfunded and does not are suitable ONLY for Industry seeds. There is a separate catalogue for work properly. traditional seeds which includes strict geographical and quantitative The goal of modern seed restrictions. Actually European legislation treats traditional seed as an guardians towards decentralized exception and kicks farmer’s seeds out of the market stopping their “ownership” of seeds as Common evolutionary journey. European agricultural subsidies also discriminate goods to f ind the seeds before in favor of Industry seeds. A farmer cannot obtain a subsidy or a they get lost and to f ind the reimbursement for crop loss, unless his/her seed is registered. people with the relevant knowledge in order to pass both The outcome of legislation and policies is a heavy concentration of the the seeds and the knowledge to a seed supply creating an oligopoly which gradually increases prices and wider number of cultivators and to puts the small scale farmer into debt. The seed market in Greece, shares the younger generations. the characteristics of the European one where 95% of the vegetable seed market is covered by 5 companies and 74% of the corn seed market is covered by 5 companies. In Europe, from 2000 up to 2009 the seed prices increased by 30% on the average. Greece – Peliti Aris Pavlos Brief Summary of Activities basis anybody can save seeds from the ripe plant and replant them PELITI (www.peliti.gr) is a Greek Non Governmental Organization for the and their ownership is collective protection and dissemination of Traditional Seeds, otherwise known as and decentralized. Farmer varieties Farmers’ Seeds. These are freely reproducible Common Goods belonging disappear if they are not cultivated to the Public Domain. because they return to their old All seeds are distributed for free. The work is offered on a volunteer wild status. basis. The publications are sold and this income, along with the donations, If we lose them we have to repeat supports the basic expenses. Until recently Peliti had a staff of 4 part the work performed over the last time employees. Due to the economic crisis in Greece, since June 2013 10,000 years of agriculture. FAO has everybody has become a volunteer, with PELITI’s work continuing as estimated that 75% of traditional before. varieties have been lost. Peliti’s main actions include seed collection and distribution, a seed bank with 2000 accessions, annual seed festivals – local, national and Today, another kind of international - publishing of relevant books and guides, providing seeds-Industry seeds are prevailing environmental education for school children and for communities, action in many countries, while traditional for a just legal framework on seed marketing through co-operation with seeds and seed saving knowledge other European organizations. by farmers is being lost. These prevailing Industry seeds cannot The Challenge be 118 saved by the farmer either for technical and/or legal reasons Farmers were the f irst breeders. During the 10.000 years since agriculture as they are covered by intellectual begun, they domesticated wild plants to make available to us their property rights, or patents. conveniently harvested edible relatives. Traditional farmer seeds are Ownership is private and saved by farmers on their farms (in situ) and replanted the following centralized as 10 companies cover year. Traditional seeds are COMMON GOODS, as they are not covered more than 70% of the sales of the global seed industry market. by intellectual property rights or patents. On a legal and on a practical Annual Peliti Festivals

140 141 Peliti Activities • Since 2002, April 7 has been def ined as the ‘‘Day dedicated to Seeds’’. During that day Peliti’s local teams organize events (seed distributions and exchanges, speeches about the importance of local varieties..) all • A Greek seed-guardian association based on volunteer work, which over Greece. was started by Panagiotis Sainatoudis in 1995, 20 years ago. • For the period between October and February of each year Peliti • In the year 2000 a network of cultivators from all over Greece was replies to thousands of letters from people who are asking for seeds created. These seed guardians save traditional seeds and preserve the of traditional varieties. purity of a variety, replant them and are willing to distribute seeds • Peliti has already established a Seed Bank. There are already 2000 FOR FREE to anybody who is interested to acquire the lost knowledge samples of traditional seeds gathered from all over Greece. At this and use it. Every year Peliti publishes a book (in greek) which includes stage the seeds in the bank are being evaluated with the help of the an extensive list of the varieties offered for free by each cultivator Peliti seedguardian network. It should be noted that Peliti considers in each geographical area of the country. It also includes names of that seed banks are indeed a precious treasury. This ex-situ type of people who preserve rare animal breeds. Contact details of each preservation is considered complementary to Peliti’s other priority cultivator-seed guardian- are given so that any interested person can which is actually the on farm preservation of agricultural biodiversity contact them and ask for seeds and for the relevant knowledge for by decentralized networks of local farmers (in situ preservation) who their planting and/or preservation. The book also includes various continue spreading this indigenous knowledge to the current and to articles related to biodiversity. the next generations. As plants are living organisms who coevolve • In the year 2006 Peliti started a network of local Peliti groups in with humans and environmental conditions, as traditional varieties different geographical areas of Greece. Lately these local groups have have the possibility to adapt to changing climatic conditions due to reached the number of 16. Each one of them consists of 15-20 people. their wide genetic base, Peliti insists in creating renewable networks All these people are volunteers who share the Peliti vision. They save of cultivators who are interested in propagating agricultural and distribute seeds, organize public events about seeds, they visit diversity, climate change adaptation and environmentally friendly schools to give speeches and plant seeds with the children and create agriculture. school gardens. In schools cultural tools such as short theatrical representations are also being used. Many school teachers now in Greece cooperate with Peliti and continue the seed education on their own. Seeds are planted and then the seedlings are offered to the community during a public event. • Peliti published the book ‘‘The Traditional Vegetable Cultivation and its Secrets’’. It is about an organic cultivation method that has been developed by a farmer of Peliti’s network (no fertilizers, no pesticides, no manure – control by irrigation). It is what we can call ‘‘indigenous knowledge’’. The book will be translated in English soon.

Annual Peliti Festivals

142 143 • Traditional varieties and seed saving in Annual Peliti Festivals • The festival is an opportunity for the Greece are now propagated in many areas farmers that support the Peliti’s network thus promoting both agro-biodiversity and to meet and exchange information, seeds a non intensive type of agriculture more and knowledge. It has been conf irmed that environmentally friendly than intensive this meeting strengthens the relationship chemical agriculture which is imposed by the between these farmers. It is also an use of Industry seeds. opportunity for other farmers and visitors, • Several other seed saving NGO’s have to get familiar with the network and the emerged in Greece and are now promoting qualities of local varieties, having the the same vision. For example two Peliti possibility to get information and knowledge volunteers started in 2012 a youth seed directly from farmers that already cultivate saving effort in Athens (Dryades)for keeping local varieties. They can also take local the purity of the varieties. They have already variety seeds for free Entrance to the festival created a network of 400 young people who is open to all visitors and it is for free. are interested in learning how to keep and • In 2012 and 2013 the annual seed festival how to propagate a variety, most of them on was followed by an international conference their city balconies. on seed saving-promotion of traditional • The annual Peliti festivals which started varieties, seed legislation. The premises of in 1999, blend culture with increasing Peliti in the village of Mesohori, Paranesti awareness about agricultural biodiversity. area, were visited by seed guardians from These festivals have been particularly many countries: Bulgaria, Turkey, France, successful during the last few years after Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, they were transferred to the village of the Portugal, Austria, Romania, Tunisia, Morocco, Peliti headquarters in the so called Peliti land Holland, Slovakia, Spain, Tunisia, Morocco, (6000 square meters of land offered by the Venezouela, Australia and India. The festival municipality where seminars and festivals in April 2015 will also be international. take place). Especially during the day of the • Peliti participates in international networks festival, each spring, 3.000- 7.000 persons that share similar goals. In 2014 we visit the village where the land of Peliti is participated in a series of events in Greece located in order to participate in the seed and in Europe on the efforts to change the distribution, the music and the dances. As European legislation related to the marketing Peliti strongly believes that the seed as a of plant reproductive material: We natural resource is both natural and cultural, participated in the seed exchange outside of culture and spirituality is always included in the events. the European Parliament at the invitation of

144 145 Via Campesina at the legislation seminars in Vienna at the invitation of Arche Noah and at a Conference in Brussels organized by DEMETER INTERNATIONAL, entitled “WHO WILL BE THE OWNER OF SEEDS”. Legislation was our major topic throughout the f irst half of 201. Our actions included informing European commissioners, Greek MEPs, Greek MPs and citizens with letters, personal contacts, f ilms, booklets and public events.With our active participation in a pan-european network of seedkeepers coordinated by the Austrian organization Arche Noah, we played a decisive role in the positive outcome of the European Parliament’s decision (who rejected the proposed bill for the Plant Reproductive Material – March 2014). • In April 26, we held Peliti’s main annual event in the land of Peliti in Messochori Paranestiou, with more than 4.000 visitors attending from various places around the country and abroad. This event was the starting point of the 1st International Solidarity Caravan for Seeds that left from the land of Peliti on 18th April 2014, travelled through Greece, Italy and arrived in south France, Kokopelli’s base, expressing Our Vision solidarity for Kokopelli and all farmers who keep their own seed. The Caravan was co-organized by Seedfreedom, Navdanya International We at PELITI take the view that we must assume responsibility for what is happening at the personal and global levels. It is a vital imperative and Kokopelli. Accompanied with music, events, speeches, seed that our vision of the world shape developments. Accordingly, each one offerings etc the Caravan sowed happiness and optimism. of us must contribute to the solution in whatever way we can. It is our responsibility to focus on positive action. When we do this, everything • In October 2014 we re-started the construction of a building that improves: it is like magic. During the numerous environmental education events we explain that everybody has the capacity to use their knives and started in 2010. We named the building “Peliti’s seed house” and forks as levers for the achievement of a better model of agriculture and it’s purpose is to host part of Peliti’s seed collection, as well as host an improved state of the planet . This positive philosophy impregnates the Peliti Association, the motto on the website being (in Greek) exhibitions for students and others and also workshops on traditional “Do not lament the darkness, turn on a light”. Peliti works for varieties. The building will be inaugurated in April 18th 2015 by Dr positive action promoting the personal responsibility of each one of us for implementing our vision for a better world based on low input Vandana Shiva during the 2015 Peliti festival celebrating the 20th agriculture and on democratic sharing of the earth’s gifts by keeping birthday of Peliti. The construction will be f inanced by national and seeds in the COMMONS. international crowdfunding.

146 147 their own interests. In addition, In 2003, in line with its Based on its experience of the each new step taken towards the commitment on sustainable food previous regional law (1977) and concentration of seed stocks in and agriculture issues, the Region on principles contained in the the hands of private f irms leads of Tuscany, at the initiative of most important international to a reduction of seed varieties Governor Claudio Martini, hosted documents, the Regional Law L.R.n. and to a reduction in the number in Florence the constitutive 64/2004 has as its main objectives: of breeders and scientists who meeting of the “International maintain these stocks. Commission on food and • The protection of its heritage agriculture” chaired by Vandana of landraces and local varieties As this strategy on seeds to Shiva and composed of some of not only from an economic and support a model of industrial the leading experts in the world of scientif ic perspective but also agriculture was gaining alternative food systems. a cultural one. The extinction momentum also in Italy, The Commission, with support of a part of indigenous genetic strong counter tendencies have from the Region of Tuscany, resources would be a loss simultaneously developed in the elaborated and disseminated not only of a unique and agricultural and food sector. proposals for an alternative unrepeatable heritage, but Italy – Navdanya In fact, the characteristics of the to the current food system it would undoubtedly affect Italian territory, which are mainly based on diversity, locality and the culture and traditions hilly and mountainous, 194 and sustainability which f irst resulted of a population, linked also International especially the choice of enhancing in the “Florence Declaration” and to its rural and agricultural SEED SOVEREIGNTY in ITALY all member countries, that is to With this regulatory framework local agro alimentary products and subsequently was the basis of the traditions. In addition, the Maria Grazia Mammuccini* say that the seed of a variety small seed companies as well as their bond with the territory, have Commission’s f irst “Manifesto on conservation of biodiversity Navdanya International may not be commercialized if whole national seed collections and favored, since the late 90’s, the the Future of Food” , followed by in the agricultural and the the same variety has not been institutions of the sector have been development of diverse farming the “Manifesto on the Future of zootechnical f ields is strictly registered in the National Register purchased at comparatively modest models at the regional level, based Seeds.” linked to policies to enhance In recent decades, and in the or in the Community Catalogue of prices by large agrochemical on the protection of biodiversity quality and typicality of the Italian context also, the advent Vegetable Varieties. corporations. For these where local varieties and seeds The Region of Tuscany committed agrofood productions. of a model of “industrial” corporations the seeds are just one are not only a collective heritage, to fulf illing the principles agriculture characterized by The varieties for which registration of the items of their sales package but also a real point of reference contained in these two documents, • The landraces and local hyper-productivity has resulted in is sought must have some very of materials for agriculture and for cultural, social and agricultural and among the f irst initiatives varieties belong to the the loss of biodiversity and native specif ic characteristics: chemistry, and is another strategy identity of the country, and approved a regional law LR natural heritage of farming seeds: the increasingly mass-use they must be distinct, stable, of vertical integration of the global have an economic value and are No. 64/2004, which allows the zootechnical and forestry of “commercial” seed varieties suff iciently homogeneous and market for agricultural goods of fundamental for safe and healthy circulation of seeds at the local interest of Tuscany, being part quickly supplanted the “old” local must have a satisfactory agronomic mass consumption for food or food. level and identif ies even more of the natural elements that varieties and, in the early ‘900, value or use. The local varieties other uses. effective tools for the conservation characterize its territory and Italy as well as Europe, has lost 75 cannot have, by their nature, For this reason Italy led the way and enhancement of local varieties. certainly constitute certainly percent of the genetic diversity of all these characteristics Public funding for development and in establishing regulations based This law has a symbolic economic an asset. The landraces and agricultural products. simultaneously. In fact, a def inition conservation of seeds has steadily on the Convention on Biodiversity value well beyond the regional local varieties are therefore The seed legislation has greatly of local varieties states that they declined and has now reached after it was ratif ied in 1992 and level. Indeed, it may be the f irst a natural heritage of Tuscany facilitated this process. In Italy have “... a large genetic basis, are levels so low that even the largest the International Treaty on Plant brick of a system of rules that, and as such the region and in the EU’s context, seeds diff icult to improve, in terms of collections of seeds are in danger Genetic Resources for Food and while accepting the principle of the guarantees the collective use are in fact subject to a special agronomic value, in the respective and are increasingly dependent Agriculture (2001). Tuscany was European single market and free through the tools provided. system which in Italy is dictated zones of adaptation, as they are on the so-called public-private the f irst region to legislate in trade, introduces mechanisms to Thus this system has basically by the so-called “seed law” (L. the result of a sort of recurrent partnerships. These partnerships this area, in 1997, enacting a law protect rural communities and a two-pronged approach, 25 November 1971, n.1096 and simple selection, implemented by allow private companies that sell to protect indigenous genetic their intellectual property against one of which addresses the subsequent amendments). The the farmers for a long period of seeds to further expand their resources (LR n. 50/97), and was the aggression of large companies, protection and the other the Act establishes, among other time”. Thus it is mainly because control of world stocks of seeds also the f irst region in Italy today widely favored by the enhancement of the local things, the National Register of of the regulations in force that on the base of their patents. that, based on the precautionary mechanisms of standardization genetic heritage. Varieties which, at the Community the local varieties are likely to While public seed collecting principle, legislated in 2000 to ban at the national and supranational level, f lows into the Community disappear and be completely institutions are compelled to put the cultivation of GM crops in its level and by the current regimes of Catalogue of Vegetable Varieties. supplanted by other commercial their seeds for disposal for free, territory contributing substantially intellectual property protection. The basic mechanism for varieties. private companies are free to to the foundation of the European seed activity of the European choose not to participate in this Network of GMO-free Regions. Community is homogeneous in free trade system and abuse it for

148 149 Its purpose is the protection of the agriculture and, with their passion 16,410 of cereals, 110 of vegetables, right to information and consumer and dedication, have maintained, etc..), the network of facilities of choice whereby the consumer especially in mountainous and the National Research Council knows that purchasing the product disadvantaged areas where (Consiglio Nazionale della Ricerca contributes to the protection of intensive agriculture was almost - CNR) headed by the Ministry of biodiversity values. impossible to set, a reservoir of University and Scientif ic Research biodiversity that is now a heritage (data indicates 80,000 varieties This is how Tuscany has protected of the whole community. in the seed bank, 1,860 variety local varieties from patents of of fruit, 2,500 olive trees, etc..); multinational corporations and has Other Italian regions have taken f inally, many universities and sanctioned, for the f irst time on a up the example of Tuscany’s other research institutions, at legal level, collective ownership of experience with the L.R 64/04, the national and local level, work local varieties and in fact also the pending national legislation that on varieties and local seed in principle of seeds as a common would give full effect to the relation with the regions and local good. This major work of recovery principles of the FAO’s Convention authorities. of varieties and local seeds has on Biodiversity and International also provided an innovative path Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources Unfortunately most of these for scientif ic research methods for Food and Agriculture. research institutions suffer from through a participatory approach Six other regions besides a chronic lack of public funding to open collaboration among Tuscany have legislated on agro- that is seriously putting at risk farmers, local communities and biodiversity: Lazio in 2000, Umbria a priceless heritage of local seed researchers and is fertile ground in 2001, Friuli Venezia Giulia in varieties and the work of many for practicing a new system of 2002, Marche in 2003, Emilia researchers over the years knowledge for addressing the Romagna and Basilicata in 2008. have ensured the recovery and ongoing environmental and Many regions that had not yet maintenance of such assets. climate crisis, based on integration passed laws, however, work with In the wake of the legislation of This same regional law contains other closely linked tools for the Custodians, Sections of the Bank between scientif ic and traditional specif ic programs and projects on the regions that in recent years protection and defense of landraces and local varieties. These are: and others – undertake activities knowledge and investment of agro-biodiversity. Almost all have worked on varieties and • The Regional Directories (Repertori Regionali). These consist of a of conservation, both in situ public resources to support a new regional laws provide tools such local seeds, there have been novel database of local Tuscan varieties and landraces. The local varieties and ex situ, of local endangered research system capable of as: directories / regional registers changes at both national and and landraces listed and described in the repertories have been varieties and put them back in producing innovation for the of local landraces and varieties; community level regarding the entered by universities, research institutes, farmers associations, circulation within the network common good. regional banks of germplasm; marketing of seeds of conservation individual citizens (currently the local varieties registered are about itself. The importance of growers / farmer custodians; the varieties. In 2007 the Italian 750, of which over 600 are at risk of extinction). The inclusion circulation and exchangeof seeds The conservation of local storage and security network seed law was modif ied with the of a local variety or landrace in the Directory is subordinate to among farmers is essential for the varieties has also offered a real (bank of germplasm- Farmers introduction of innovative concepts the presence of the characterization of the same, both from a conservation of biodiversity and opportunity for small farmers to Custodians), the enhancement of and tools to enable the marketing morphological point of view (sometimes genetic), and from the point the preservation of local varieties boost local circuits of production local landraces and varieties (seeds, of conservation varieties in Italy, in of view of the link with the rural culture and with the agricultural from extinction. In this regard, and consumption through direct products.....) the absence of clearer rules at the and zootechnical local tradition. in accordance with the law on sales, even with innovative community level. • The Regional Germplasm Bank for the ex situ conservation of local seeds, non-prof it circulation and organizational forms of short There are many bodies, including varieties at risk of extinction of the regional repertory. exchange of seeds are allowed chain, such as markets, shops and research Institutions working • The Farmer’s Custodians, farmers implementing in situ conservation inside the network, in “small purchasing groups in solidarity, on agro-biodiversity and in the areas of origin of the varieties listed in the repertories. amounts”, and in well-def ined supported at Regional level and by preserving a priceless heritage • The conservation and security network, created to include in the geographic areas in order to local institutions. These initiatives of varieties and local seeds. network the Regional Germplasm Bank , the Farmers Custodians maintain and reproduce. provide both sources of income for In particular: the Network of and other entities who may be interested for various reasons in the small farmers and opportunities Research Facilities of the Council conservation of a particular local variety threatened with extinction. The tag which stipulates “Made for citizen-consumers to rediscover for Agricultural Research (CRA) The other entities in the network can have motives other than from local variety / landrace - the traditions and local knowledge. under the Ministry of Agriculture purely scientif ic ones, such as cultural, gastronomic or linked to the Tuscan Regional Law 64/2004 and But above all this innovative ruling, (from the data presented to boosting of tourism for the development of a depressed area. that can be aff ixed to the label has reaff irmed mass selection the National Conference on of a product as is or transformed, conducted over the centuries by Biodiversity in Florence in 2010, The network is, above all, a place where one can try to implement all the actually obtained from local farmers and the value of the work there are numerous accessions: actions aimed at ensuring “sustainable use” of agricultural, zootechnical varieties or landraces at risk of of those (old and new farmers) that 8,380 varieties of fruit, 5,202 of www.navdanyainternational.it/ and forestry resources. The participants in the network - Farmer extinction. have not surrendered to industrial vineyards, 15,970 forest species, 150 151 Subsequently the European were the f irst networks of local urban and peri-urban gardens Commission, after years of intense seeds and custodian farmers and that are spreading in many cities, debate, f inally pronounced on today they are f lourishing, even at for school gardens, for family the marketing of the seeds a national level, with important gardens and for all the people of conservation varieties of experiences in this direction such who, even simply with a jar, want agricultural species (or open f ield) as, among others, the Network of to contribute to help save native and of the tuber potato seed Rural Seeds (Rete dei Semi Rurali) seeds. (blocked since 1995) and further and the Association of the regulatory changes are under “Women in the Field” (Donne in This is why the Alliance to consideration. Campo). promote the global campaign It is clear that the regulation of “Save our seeds” and to declare conservation varieties puts into In all these years an enormous seeds as common goods, promoted question the entire regulation of heritage of varieties and local by Vandana Shiva, can be an the production and distribution seeds has thus been accumulated extraordinary opportunity to give of seeds, with the aim of in our country, thanks, f irstly, to strength to the work that we have strengthening the rights of the commitment of the farmers conducted together in these years farmers, preventing the formation guardians that, together with and to create a more extensive of monopolies and strengthening researchers, technicians and solidarity network to save, the capacity of local communities local communities, who found in preserve and disseminate varieties to conserve and enhance Local Authorities and Regions in and local seeds also in our country. biodiversity through social particular the basic support to interaction. implement activities and tools that *Maria Grazia Mammuccini, former can now be available to all farmers director of ARSIA, Tuscany’s Of recent note at the national and to the society as a whole. Regional Agency for Development level, at the initiative of Hon. and innovation in farming and Susanna Cenni, is the bill for the This heritage is now a fundamental forestry from1995 to 2010. protection and enhancement value for the future of agriculture She is coordinator of the Scientif ic of agricultural and natural and food. The current crisis is Committee of the Italian biodiversity, presented to the making unequivocally clear the Foundation for Research in organic House of Representatives some failure of the industrial model and biodynamic agriculture two years ago and which brings to of agriculture pursued in all (FIRAB) and Vice-president of the national level the labor and the these years by the multinational Navdanya International in Florence. tools implemented by the regions agribusiness. Indeed, today the www.navdanyainternational.it in recent years. It provides, among companies most affected by other things, for the protection of the crisis are the monocultural intellectual property of local industrial companies, while those varieties and the possibility of more resilient are the diversif ied movement and exchange of seeds. and multifunctional organic farms The law has now been approved based on biodiversity and local unanimously by the House’s markets and for which varieties Agriculture Committee in May and local seeds are the 2012 and is currently waiting fundamental basis for their to conclude the parliamentary work and to produce safe and process. healthy food for all. It is therefore necessary that all those who But one of the most valuable have worked in recent years to results, partly as a consequence preserve and maintain the local of these innovative regulatory seeds are able to form an alliance instruments is that, beginning with to integrate their work, making it Tuscany, the experiences of farmer known to all citizens and to f ind guardians spread like wildf ire; the innovative and creative solutions “Fierucola” of the seeds and the to make local seeds available for Association of Farmers Custodians everybody. For all the farmers who (Associazione Agricoltori Custodi) want to plant them, for the many

152 153 Campaign” and in April 2011 the Possibly partly due to the rugged Agriculture is also not sustainable f irst international action was terrain in the Centre and North, economically: almost none of undertaken. At that time the and the diff icult access, agriculture the small farmers are able to live Campaign’s main objective was to here is still largely small-scale: exclusively from their production. halt the upcoming European Seed 75% of farms are family farms And if the older farmers are not Law, but whenever possible we under 5 hectares. However, half replaced, the 2 million hectares also worked towards additional of these farmers are over 65 years of arable land that have already objectives such as the promotion old and the business farms, that been abandoned could expand of ecological farming, food only represent 2% of all farms, even further with the risk of the sovereignty and an end to patents are buying up the arable land countryside becoming entirely on seeds and to the use of GMO’s (especially in the Alentejo and deserted. There is also a tendency in food and farming. Algarve, the Southern regions, to abandon vegetable cultivation where the land is f latter and for meat production, especially In Portugal we strove from the monoculture becomes an option) bovine and swine, which does beginning to create a network of and are currently managing not favour biodiversity nor food organisations, groups, collectives around 25% of the farmed land. sovereignty. Although Portugal and individuals that share the In Portugal there is a real threat of presents ideal soil and climate mission of keeping seeds free. The drastically losing food sovereignty, conditions for organic agriculture, idea was that the Campaign would already quite precarious so far this constitutes only 3% of all act as a self-organised movement, considering that Portugal currently farming activities. but with an organisational core has to import 20% of its food guaranteeing a basic operational necessities, a number which is structure, such as a website, growing especially for cereals and mailing-lists and campaign oil seeds, partly due to the EU 2012 Fortnight of Action: materials. Very soon we had quota system. “seed freedom mural” f ive organisational partners and close to one hundred collective subscribers, besides thousands of individual supporters. With this momentum we managed to create enough noise to put seed freedom issues on the Portuguese public Portuguese Seed Image of the Campaign agenda, where it remains today. Report by Lanka Horstink – Portuguese context Sovereignty Campaign Campaign Coordinator Portugal presents a very different March 1, 2015 picture from the North of Europe, – “Campanha pelas sharing some characteristics with Acting for Seeds in Portugal the Global North and others with the Global South. It is undoubtedly Sementes Livres” The idea for a Portuguese Seed a developed country, with all the Sovereignty Campaign was born at facilities that most Westerners the October 2010 European GMO- are used to, and with some very Founded January 2011 free Regions Conference, where innovative products developed Inspired and powered by GAIA – Portuguese environmental action members from German advocacy in-house. But not all the sectors group Partnered by the environmental organisations Campo Aberto, MPI organisations warned against the have caught up, nor all of the and Quercus, and by the Portuguese Stop GMO Platform Supported by imminent threat to seed freedom regions and their populations. close to 100 associations, collectives, cooperatives, farms and community posed by the upcoming unif ied Agriculture in Portugal is an gardens in Portugal. European Seed Law. example of this paradox. Farming A few months later a network activities still occupy half of of national campaigns was Portugal’s territory, but contribute formed under the umbrella name little to the country’s income “European Seed Sovereignty (< 3%). 154 155 Like other countries from the All over the country there are • The protection of local and traditional knowledge, culture and European Union, Portugal’s farmers who do endeavour to save agro-biodiversity has suffered their traditional seeds, sometimes gastronomy associated with regional plant varieties; signif icantly with the promotion of for generations. And for over intensive, specialised and 10 years, the main Portuguese • The banning of genetic technologies and patents on plants and plant large-scale farming methods that seed savers association, Colher genes in food and agriculture; were the EU trademark in the ‘80s. para Semear, has worked hard to catalogue and reproduce the • Agricultural policies that promote low-impact, low-input agriculture Although Portugal’s older and Portuguese seed treasure trove. instead of subsidising industrial crops with high energy and chemical less schooled farming population coupled with the rugged terrain in They are currently preserving inputs. much of the territory and recent over 2.000 traditional edible plant environmental legislation has varieties. Unfortunately, the rate slowed down the industrialisation of disappearance of traditional Objectives process, the assault of varieties surpasses that at which fast-food and supermarket chains the still very small number of • Contribute to building national and international resistance to on rural areas have facilitated seed savers can preserve them. unfair laws that restrict or eliminate the autonomy of peoples in the abandonment of traditional The older farmers very often take plant species and animal breeds. both varieties and the knowledge determining their own food and agricultural policies and that remove Many farmers only produce a associated with their cultivation small fraction of their food needs and use, almost literally to the common resources from the public domain. and for many vegetables prefer grave. • Support and promote the international appeal to end patents and to buy commercial seeds and breeds. Most of them have little intellectual property rights on life and to end genetic engineering in knowledge of the negative effects food and agriculture. of pesticides and herbicides and the only reason they are not more • Support, empower and promote a national network that preserves used is economic. and defends traditional seeds, knowledge and gastronomies. Still, Portugal has an enviable agro-biodiversity compared to the Northern European countries. Strategy Old pumpkin varieties at the annual Seed Savers Meeting • Inform and activate • Empower and decentralise PORTUGUESE SEED CAMPAIGN – • Put pressure on institutional decision-makers • Grow the movement Strategic approach • Keep the knowledge up to date and widely shared Demands • The right to produce our seeds from our own harvests, to re-sow them and to give or sell them to others; • The exemption of open pollinated varieties from registration, regulation or certif ication, to be freely exchanged and marketed; • The promotion of regional crop varieties by supporting in situ conservation and the men and women who save and select natural varieties;

156 157 Evolution of the Seed We would have liked to have time to improve the scientif ic underpinnings This Seed Savers Tour attracted Campaign in Portugal of the campaign and to create more durable campaign materials, such as hundreds of visitors to our events a “black book on seeds” and a handbook on seed saving networks, but and resulted, among other press Our strategic approach has varied when working with a small group of volunteers that keep the campaign coverage, in a television report somewhat from year to year since running in all its invisible details, priorities have to be set and some of our on seed freedom and the Seed 2011, since we were forced to ambition curbed! Campaign. follow the agenda set by Brussels, the threat of a European Seed Law Main Campaign activities In 2012, besides regular press being imminent. 2011-2015 releases, campaign presentations Nevertheless, the two main pillars and other PR work, we managed of our action strategy have always In 2011 we launched the Seed Sovereignty Campaign with an 11-page to organise three larger events been to: brief ing for partners and supporters, a website to inform, share and to mark the 17th of April, the • Raise awareness and activate people and a Europe-wide petition. April 17 (International Day of RIO 2012 Summit and the stimulate debate around seed Peasant Struggle) and 18 marked the f irst International Action Days for f irst Fortnight of Action for sovereignty issues. Seed Sovereignty in Europe and in Portugal we participated with two Seed Freedom by the newly • Empower citizens, farmers big events in community gardens in the largest cities, Lisbon and Porto founded global Movement for and seed/food sovereignty and a protest march where we handed a copy of the European petition seed freedom. For RIO 2012 we defenders. (with 60.000 signatures) to representatives of the European Commission published a “secret f ile” in several and f inalised with a street theatre “dramatising” the effects of patents parts, denouncing the fallacy of the The empowerment is meant to be on life. In the same year we managed to gather enough donations in Green Economy and the continued two-fold: spreading the knowledge fundraisers and workshops to f inance the trip of the Australian seed pillaging of our planet. and skills to actually save seeds, savers Michel and Jude Fanton to Europe. In Portugal, the couple went on We celebrated the f irst Seed Freedom Fortnight with a women- “Keep your hands off Our especially traditional varieties; a road trip with us for 10 days, offering seed saving workshops while we Michel and Jude Fanton at a inspired march through the centre Seeds!” Seeds with a message and passing on information and organised debates and screenings of their f ilm “Our Seeds”, subtitled by Seed-inspired Permaculture of the capital, spreading free seeds at the 2012 Seed Freedom techniques for awareness raising volunteers. workshop in Coimbra, 2011 and political campaigning. from a farm cooperative and March Until the political death of the handing a big bag of rye seeds to European Seed Law, a signif icant a representative of the European part of our time was also Commission with the request to dedicated to lobbying, petitioning keep all seeds as free as those! and organising public protests. Besides that we needed to gain In May 2013 the European critical mass quickly to make our Commission f inally released their protests heard. Ever since European proposal for a European Seed Law Parliament rejected the Seed law and we responded, in concert with in 2014, we have changed our our European partners, with new lobbying strategy to encompass a protests, petitions and open letters broader approach, warning about from civil society. For a whole year “bio-capitalism” and “Earth- the main focus was on keeping grabbing” (i.e. privatising and the pressure as high as possible trading nature) and explaining on institutional decision-makers. the bigger picture, such as how We went to the newspapers, TV patents on seeds may undermine programmes, spoke at events and the right to food, how free trade festivals, met with our European agreements strangle local food and colleagues to speak in one voice. seed markets in the Global South. The hard work paid off: we all We have also turned to soft lobby achieved a major victory in March approaches such as meeting with 2014 when European Parliament government representatives that rejected the (several times work with seed preservation and amended) Seed Law proposal. control to “exchange” views. Lisbon Street Theatre in Spreading Free Seeds during protest against Seed Laws and the Seed Freedom March, Patents, 2011 October 2012) 158 159 After the political death of the Website: European Seed Law, we applied www.sosementes.gaia.org.pt our energy to transforming the Email: [email protected] Seed Campaign into a movement, passing on our knowledge of Campaign presentation and some campaigning and advocacy and of the event reports in English: stimulating the sharing of http://gaia.org.pt/node/16228 knowledge and skills that are fundamental for food and seed Campaign press centre: sovereignty. We also participated http://gaia.org.pt/node/15902 in the 2014 Free Pepper campaign, a European initiative to overturn European Seed Sovereignty patents on plants and seeds. Campaign: In 2015 we will organise our fourth www.seed-sovereignty.org Food and Seed Activist Meeting, which for the second time will take A 2-minute video of one of our place at a farm, mixing theory and events in 2013: practice, working on strategies and https://vimeo.com/79926448 working with the earth, debating and acting. We feel campaigning For a brief presentation of needs to imitate life: it should be the Portuguese Seed Savers diverse, it should evolve, it should association, Colher para Semear, be fertile, most importantly it see http://gaia.org.pt/node/417 should be free! The more recent initiative Seed Circles (Círculos de Sementes) has also contributed to encouraging people in Portugal to save seeds: http://circulosdesementes.blogspot. pt/p/o.html

Marching with a Seed Freedom Start of the Seed Freedom song through Alfama, Lisbon, March, October 2012 October 2013 Materials of the 2011 Preparing to sow, workshop at Seed Savers Tour the 2014 Seed Activist Camp 160 161 The focus of our mission is…

• To create a network of Circles of Seeds throughout the country to rediscover, gather and share our national heritage of ancient and traditional seed varieties. • To share information about Seed Saving and awareness lectures all over the country.

Our on-going Projects…

• The Circles of Seeds Seed Bank • The Circles of Seeds Network • National gathering every year, were we celebrate the Seeds, dance, share seeds, good organic food, free workshops, ... • Awareness lectures on the importance of preserving local seed varieties • Free Seed Saving Workshops all over the country • Discovering the Seeds (workshops for primary schools) • Preparing a seed saving book • Bring Dr Vandana Shiva to Portugal Portugal – Some things about us: • The coordination is made by 2 volunteers, Pepa Bernardes and Frederica Teixeira and all the activities are prepared and conducted Círculos de voluntarily by the participants of all Circles of Seeds.

• We don´t have funding, everything we do is free, when we travel to Sementes give a workshop the circle of seeds that call us pays the costs of the travel.

– Circles of • We are members of the Portuguese Seed Sovereignty Campaign and Seeds the Seed Freedoom Movement since October 2012 to December 2014.

circulosdesementes.blogspot.pt/

162 163 We held … Our History

• 27 Seed Saving Workshops all This project began on the 14th October 2012, following an international over the country, in schools, appeal by Dr. Vandana Shiva to join hands for Seed Freedom globally. farms, events, festivals, fairs… In response, we organized a seed workshop in Évora, Portugal. We decided that we must act without delay. • Two National gatherings We searched a little bit and... To meet the urgent need to rescue our country’s existing traditional • 4 Lectures on Food Sovereignty seed, and share vital seeds knowledge, we put together the concept of in schools Seed Circles, with the idea of a living seed bank.

• 12 Awareness lectures on the And the result... importance of preserving local CIRCLES OF SEEDS seed varieties A Circle of Seeds is a simple idea: • Seed and plants sharing events It is to gather a group of friends or neighbours, each of whom commits to grow and save seeds from one or more crops. Each member selects a crop • Visits to small local farmers variety and takes on to sow, tend, harvest, clean, dry and store its seeds. At the meetings everyone shares their seeds and the information they We participate have on the variety chosen. Just imagine... If the Circle has 12 people and each person chooses a variety, after one • In Portuguese Seed year, the Circle’s seed bank will contain seeds from 12 varieties. Sovereignty Campaign The following year, each person chooses another variety and now there meetings, events, workshops are 24 varieties. After 5 years... circulosdesementes.blogspot.pt/ and visits.

We created and maintain

• The Circle of Seeds blog

• The Circle of Seeds Facebook page

• The Circles of Seeds Seed Bank

List with photos of all activities we have been doing: http://circulosdesementes.blogspot. pt/p/calendario-de-actividades.html

circulosdesementes.blogspot.pt/

164 165 The Network Seed Bank

The Network Seed Bank will serve to: • Preserve the diversity of seed • Be a repository for all Circles • Provide seeds for new Circles

How it works

• All circles have access to the list of existing Seeds in the seed bank • Whenever the Circles need seeds, they request the varieties they want (provided they are available) and return the same variety and amount whenever they can (if possible at the end of the season) • Postage costs are covered by the Seed Circles requesting seeds • The Circles send their seeds to the Network Seed Bank along with their completed f ield What is needed to start a Guidelines: • Each member commits to share diaries circle? the seeds they have grown • On arrival, each batch of seeds • People need some knowledge with other members of their is recorded on a register with • A person to organize the of seed harvesting, cleaning Circle and with their Circle’s all available information Circle. and storing of seed seed bank. In addition, each • All batches of seed sent to • People interested in seed • For groups without this Circle contributes seeds to the Circles are accompanied by a saving. We suggest no knowledge, the Network offers Network Seed Bank record more than 12 people to free advice and workshops • All Circles are self-organising. • People outside the Network maintain support, focus and • Priority should be given to • Circle meetings are may also request seeds in commitment. traditional seeds but species recommended quarterly. exchange for double the yield • Availability to meet on a from other regions can also • There will be a national the following year quarterly basis. be cultivated if considered gathering of all Circles at each • Seed cleaning, stirring and important (eg Stevia). year. A little movie of our 2nd National storing items such as bottles • Transgenic and hybrid seeds or • National Network Meetings Gathering in 2014 and strainers. are not allowed. are organised by Circles on a https://www.youtube.com/ • Seeds of good quality, if • The seeds are grown for free rotational basis. watch?v=rv6f VaBRf Ic#t=40 possible local and heirloom exchange. No commercial • The Network offers free • A vegetable garden. transactions should be advice, support and onsite To find out more and to register • Field diary for plant species involved. workshops. Circles are your Seed Circle with the National (provided by the Circles • Each person selects to take responsible for hosting Network of Seed Circles, please Network) care of a plant of their choice; workshop facilitators and contact: more can be selected if covering their travel expenses. Círculos de Sementes / Circles desired. • Each circle has a coordinator of Seeds - Organisation’s name: • As much information as responsible for liaising with the Wakeseed - Country: Portugal possible should be recorded Circles Network. Contact: 962658017 - about each variety in the f ield [email protected] diary provided by the Circles circulosdesementes.blogspot.pt/ circulosdesementes.blogspot.pt/ Network. 166 167 Seeds as ‘Intellectual So now new legislation has been property’ proposed in the form of an EU United Kingdom - The Regulation which must be adhered The f irst Plant Patent Act came to in its entirety across all member Landworkers’ Alliance about in 1930 in the US and led states. to large agricultural companies, who bred F1 hybrids (along with The result in the UK would be and The South West manufacturing chemical fertilisers much tighter controls of seed and pesticides) being given some saving and lead to the loss of many legal protection for ‘their’ seeds. open pollinated varieties. Seed Savers’ Cooperative The proposed regulation was Farmers join to save the seeds that feed us Seed varieties and plants rejected by both the Environment and Agriculture Committees by Ashley Wheeler – The Ecologist, 6 January 2015 eventually became ‘intellectual property’. The result is that 67% of and has been sent back to the Commission for redrafting. Source: the world’s propietary seed (seed http://www.theecologist.org/campaigning/2702693/farmers_join_to_save_ with intellectual property rights) is However, it is likely that the the_seeds_that_feed_us.html owned by just ten companies. Commission will be under huge pressure from the agri-industrial Farmers and growers in south-west England have united to reclaim the These companies pushed the lobbyists. Furthermore, if the lost skill of seed saving, writes Ashley Wheeler. They are determined to hybrid vigour of these seeds and Transatlantic Trade and Investment grow, develop, share and disseminate openpollinated seeds, and oppose farmers became reliant on them as Partnership goes through, more EU laws granting commercial plant breeders a legal monopoly on the they had the fertilisers and pressure will be applied from the seeds that sustain our lives. pesticides that these same companies were manufacturing. US seed industry. For thousands of years seed saving was common practice for farmers and The Green Revolution saw farmers They will no doubt aim to mould growers. As fundamental as maintaining soil fertility and crop husbandry. become dependent on this modern way of farming and lost the more the regulation to benef it the By continuing to save and breed seed varieties that are locally adaptable large scale seed companies that It was the norm for farmers to select the plants most suited to their traditional skills of rotation and we can begin to reverse this loss of biodiversity and build up a constantly already control so much of the land and collect the open pollinated seed from the best plants. This seed saving. evolving living seed bank. commercially available seed. selected seed adapts to the climate and soil type of that land, known as a landrace. The UN’s Food and Agriculture It is of paramount importance that we work to bring back life to the skill Organisation estimates that since Reclaim the seeds! of seed saving and set-up networks amongst farmers and growers to This leads to a hugely diverse living bank of seeds that constantly adapts the 1900’s around 75% of plant start breeding more open pollinated seed varieties that can be exchanged Obviously this is all rather to changes and results in resilient plants that have an ability to tolerate genetic diversity has been lost due amongst local groups. disheartening, but it should be a stress caused by environmental pressures. to farmers relying so heavily on hybrid seed. reminder that as farmers, growers The South West Seed Savers’ Cooperative and a nation of amateur gardeners Unfortunately, since the uptake of modern F1 hybrid seed, whose we must reinvigorate the skill of offspring would not produce traits true to the parent, and could Current legislation With the threat of the EU Regulation controlling the exchange and seed saving, and take back control therefore not be saved to reproduce reliable crops, farmers’ landraces marketing of seeds and our belief that farmers should have the right of our seeds, and ultimately our have dwindled. Seed legislation was introduced to saving, sowing and exchanging their own seeds, The Landworkers’ in the early 1900s to regulate the food system. Alliance have set-up a seed saving network amongst growers and farmers Hybridisation came about after agricultural fertiliser companies took seed market and assure consumers in the South West of England. One of the f irst steps of food Mendel’s knowledge of plant genetics and started breeding varieties of F1 that the seeds they were buying sovereignty – set out in the 2007 hybrid seeds that could not be farmerreproduced. The F1 seed produced would be viable and come true to The network was launched at an event held at Embercombe in Devon, Declaration of the Forum for Food uniform, vigorous and nutrient-demanding crops. But breeding from the description on the packet. which gave farmers and growers an insight into the history of seed saving Sovereignty is to assert “the them led to offspring with lack of vigour and lower yields. and current legislations as well as a practical workshop to show how little Currently the seed legislation in right of peoples to healthy and is required to save seed, and how relatively simple it is. culturally appropriate food This commercial advantage was taken on board by the fertiliser the EU is made up of Directives produced through ecologically companies who began breeding seeds and adding them to their which were put in place by the The basic idea of the SWSSC is that each member saves open pollinated sound and sustainable methods, catalogues – with a view to the prof its to be made both from selling the European Commission. seeds, even if it is just from one variety of crop. We will gather in the and their right to def ine their own seeds, and selling the fertiliser the F1 plants needed to perform. Such directives can be interpreted autumn to share our seeds, so that each member comes away with many by member states, resulting in food and agriculture systems.” more varieties and can become less reliant on hybrid seeds bought from different levels of leniency. seed companies.

168 169 Seed Freedom in Europe

The members will gradually be breeding varieties that are locally adapted Maria-Grazia-Mammucini- Rollback of EU Seed Law EU Seed Law and so produce more resilient crops with a greater genetic diversity than Join us: vice-president-Navdanya- if they were to use hybrid seeds. Statement on Seed Freedom International-Small Victory in Europe – Press The SWSSC will continue to host workshops and events to help members If you are a grower or re-learn the skill of seed saving. Practical advice and guidance will Release – February 2014 be given to members, and on farm visits will take place to learn the farmer in the South technicalities of seed saving. Source: http://seedfreedom.in/ West of England and statement-on-seed-freedom- The ultimate intention is to have local groups all over the UK, building wish to be a part victory-in-europe/ communities of growers who save and share high quality, locally adapted seeds – thus keeping alive essential knowledge and seed diversity, both a of the The South There is good news from Europe. priceless inheritance from our ancestors, and such an important gift to West Seed Savers’ Both the Environment committee our children. and Agriculture committee of the Cooperative please European parliament have rejected Ashley Wheeler runs a market garden in Devon with his family. He is a contact the Seed Law proposed by the founding member of The Landworkers’ Alliance and The South West European commission. This is a Seed Savers’ Cooperative. He ran a session on seed networks at the [email protected] victory for biodiversity, for farmers Oxford Real Farming Conference on 6th and 7th January 2015. and gardeners, for citizens, for democracy, and for Seed Freedom. The Landworkers’ Alliance is an off icial member of the international Last year after the group of experts peasant farming movement La Via Campesina which represents 200 of the International Commission on million small-scale producers around the world. We campaign for the the future of food/Navdanya launched rights of small-scale producers and lobby the UK government and the Law of the Seed at Terra Futura European parliament for policies that support the infrastructure and in Florence, we started to work with markets central to our livelihoods. European Parliament to build a campaign to stop the Seed Monopoly Law based landworkersalliance.org.uk/ on uniformity from being passed.

170 171 International Solidarity • Peliti, Greece core and Caravan for Seeds – April, steering committee member May 2014 of the Global Alliance for Seed Freedom. Co-ordinator from Peliti April-May 2014 saw the huge Athens travels to India for success of the International steering committee meeting Caravan for Seed Freedom. The in September 2014 as well caravan travelled more than 4000 as taking workshops on kms from Greece, to Italy to biodynamic farming. France. The caravan saw citizens and farmers from different realities come together openly Links: and creatively to strengthen the Global Movement and share International Solidarity Caravan future actions so that from our for Seeds – A Reportby Manlio seeds and food may begin a new Masucci (translated by Navdanya economy based on the commons. International) In times of crisis of huge social, Source: http://seedfreedom. economic and ecological collapse info/campaign/international- the international caravan for solidarity-caravan-for-seeds- Seed Freedom worked to build 2014/#ManlioMasucci alternatives to the current ecological and agricultural models: Florence Declaration on Seed Freedom, Food Freedom and Earth http://seedfreedom.info/campaign/ Democracy international-solidarity-caravan-for- http://seedfreedom.info/f lorence- seeds-2014/ declaration-on-seed-freedom-food- freedom-and-earth-democracy/ Key Outcomes:

• Planning meeting with key European movements on actions and strategies for the Call to Action for Seed, Food and Earth Democracy.

• Workshops on Seed Saving, Agro ecology and Beekeeping, Seed Exchange and Celebrating Biodiversity.

• European Co-ordination for Seed Freedom launched to combat upcoming EU Seed Legislation.

Seed Freedom

172 173 174 175