ARCHE NOAH (May 2025) finds the proposed EU PRM Regulation would impose disproportionate administrative and testing burdens on small seed producers, risking loss of varieties and business closures; calls for exemptions and proportional rules.
.Seed Policy
Implementing the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) in light of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas (UNDROP)
Briefing paper showing how UNDROP strengthens and clarifies Farmers’ Rights under the ITPGRFA, affirms human-rights primacy over conflicting laws, and defines State and UN agency obligations for seed policy and governance.
Guide to EU Seed Policy 2023 – Seeding Europe
Practical guide to EU seed policy (May 2023): institutions, legal instruments, GMO and plant health rules, biodiversity, intellectual property and seed marketing, aimed at seed savers, NGOs and citizens.
The Global Plan of Action of the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture: what happened in Rome
In our previous post we wrote that EC-LLD was heading to the FAO in Rome for the revision of the Global Plan of Action (GPA) for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture - the main international framework guiding how countries conserve and use cultivated...
Analysis of trilogue negotiations on plant reproductive material
Our colleagues at ARCHE NOAH have shared with us their analysis of the trilogue on PRM. We summarise the main points here and share information on the next online meeting.
The Global Plan of Action for seeds is being revised at the FAO – and we’re in Rome
From 8 to 10 July, EC-LLD is at FAO in Rome as the international Global Plan of Action for plant genetic resources is revised. Here is what it is, what has changed, and why our continued engagement matters.
Agroecology Coalition’s deep dive on seed systems
Access a brief summary of Agroecology Coalition’s latest deep dive on seed systems.
European Patent Office circumvents regulations and laws
No Patents on Seeds! recently published a report highlighting the European Patent Office’s granting of patents not allowed under EU law. Link to the report in this post.
EU reform on seed marketing regulation from the perspective of organic breeders
LiveSeeding/FiBL-Europe policy brief (Apr 2024, adj. Sep 2024) on the EU PRM reform: protect OV and OHM, favour adapted DUS/VSCU under organic conditions, avoid mandatory VSCU for vegetables/fruits, ban patents/NGTs, and involve organic stakeholders.
Capacity Building on European Seed Policy and Legislation
DiverSeedPaths (Dec 2024) report on EU seed policy and the PRM marketing reform, analysing impacts on seed diversity and farmers’ rights and offering practical advocacy steps.
