This week, the European Coordination Let’s Liberate Diversity (ECLLD) participated as an observer in the FAO Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The session marks an important step in the revision of the Global Plan of Action (GPA), a critical international framework that guides the conservation and sustainable use of seeds and plant genetic diversity. The official report of the session and all the relevant documents are accessible here.
Proposing an Inclusive Definition of Community Seed Banks
ECLLD proposed the commission to include in the new GPA a broad and inclusive definition of Community Seed Banks to reflect the diversity of actors involved. This definition shall encompass seed savers, seed networks, farmers’ groups, community-based initiatives, individual farmers, and gardeners. These actors are vital in conserving and managing locally adapted varieties, improving access to seeds, and fostering related knowledge-sharing practices.
To support this proposal, ECLLD shared findings from the EU Horizon 2020 Diversifood project, which highlights key elements for defining CSBs, including community-based governance, collective rules, decentralization, and local facilities.
Advocating for Community Seed Banks in Priority Activity 13
During the session, ECLLD emphasized the importance of Priority Activity 13, which mandates countries to develop national action plans for plant genetic resources. We recommended that this activity place a stronger focus on Community Seed Banks (CSBs), seed savers, and seed networks, advocating for their active involvement in developing, implementing, and monitoring national strategies.
Additionally, ECLLD called for resources to support inclusive platforms that foster exchanges and collaboration between CSBs, seed networks, and national gene banks. These partnerships are essential for strengthening on-farm conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources.
Some countries expressed their support for explicitly recognizing CSBs in the GPA, while others proposed broader definitions of participatory processes without explicitly naming civil society actors. Although the commission acknowledged the theme in the draft, the debate continues, and ECLLD will persist in advocating for the inclusion of grassroots seed actors.
The Process for Revising the Global Plan of Action
The revision of the GPA is a lengthy but crucial process that will result in a new framework for countries to develop their national strategies and actions for plant genetic resources. During this Working Group session, inputs from countries and stakeholders (including ECLLD) are being collected and consolidated by the FAO Secretariat.
The next steps include:
- March 2025: The consolidated inputs will be presented at the next FAO Commission meeting, where further discussions will shape the draft of the new GPA.
- 2026: The draft GPA will be discussed and revised within the Commission Working Group meeting.
- 2027: The updated GPA will be finalized and adopted at the subsequent Commission meeting.
While this process is extensive, it offers invaluable opportunities for ECLLD to ensure that Community Seed Banks, seed savers, and seed networks are recognized in the new framework and are supported to play a central role in shaping global and national policies for plant genetic resources.
The Journey Continues
ECLLD remains committed to advocating for the recognition and the support to diverse and essential contributions of CSBs. Stay connected and subscribe to our newsletter to remain updated on the progress of the GPA revision and our ongoing work.
