Discussion on Draft Seed Position
The draft position on the use of organic seed and propagation materials in organic agriculture (or Draft Seed Position) is now open for discussion and feedback. This blog is intended as a space for all those interested and knowledgeable in the topic to discuss their views and perspectives, share experiences and hopefully, develop a better understanding of each other’s point of view! Please register with WordPress to post comments, or contact Robert to get instructions on how to become a full-blown author and write posts on the blog, and start the discussion! To submit your comments on the position text to IFOAM, please use the form provided on the IFOAM website.
1. zoeifoam | July 2, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Congratulations to this approach creating a more transparent discussion and decision making tool! May this blog be used as a platform for a vivid exchange of inspirations.
2. joellekatto | July 10, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Hi everyone. I noticed the following sentence in the draft position: “To promote the free exchange of genetic information, IFOAM believe the use of seeds protected by intellectual property rights should be prohibited in organic agriculture.”
This sentence may suggest that IFOAM believes that organic farmers should not be allowed to use any seed protected by intellectual property rights. This can of course not be the intended meaning of this sentence. I suppose that what was meant was that plant breeders who sell seeds which they claim “organic” should not protect them by intellectual property rights. Am I right?
3. Zoe | July 16, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Well addressing intellectual property rights, you could check out the new publication “The future of seeds and food under the growing threat of patents and market concentration” and learn what happens if all comes to the worse! Follow: http://www.no-patents-on-seeds.org/images/documents/report_future_of_seed_en.pdf
4. 101nm | July 29, 2009 at 3:24 pm
I feel the paper covers all the areas that growers need to address in the future but I’d like to put more emphasis on the European Seed Laws, where prohibitive legislation sees many varieties being unable to be sold due to pricing, as well as DUS testing. This legislation removes many varieties from being available.
Issues have been highlighted, see bottom of page at:
http://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/propagation/evaluation/index_en.htm
but as yet no practical solution has been put forward.