Horizon 2020 Project DIVERSIFOOD, Booklet #5
This booklet (DIVERSIFOOD Booklet #5) presents policy recommendations to embed crop genetic diversity in food value chains, based on a multi-actor Horizon 2020 research project. It outlines five priority areas for policy action: secure the legal status of heterogeneous cultivars; ensure coherent policies for diverse cropping and food systems (including CAP measures); embed crop genetic diversity in food value chains; invest in awareness raising of biodiverse food among actors; and foster multi-actor, integrated research approaches. Key findings include the potential of organic regulation (EC/848/2018) and temporary EU experiments on composite cross populations to enable marketing of heterogeneous material, gaps in current seed legislation and national implementation, and the limited availability of seeds for underutilised and diversified crops. The booklet recommends legal clarification for heterogeneous material, targeted CAP support and indicators, public funding for participatory breeding and on-farm research, improved traceability and communication for biodiverse products, and strengthened education, networks and facilitation to support multi-actor innovation and Farmers’ Rights as set out in the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
Key topics: seed law, heterogeneous cultivars, EU seed policy, CAP reform, agrobiodiversity, participatory plant breeding, value chains
