Let’s Liberate Diversity! News
EP Seeds Marketing Plenary vote – Arche Noah analysis from Seed diverstiy perspective
We are pleased to share with you a comprehensive analysis prepared by our member Arche Noah on the recent European Parliament (EP) plenary vote from a seed diversity perspective.
The document delves into crucial topics such as scope, definitions, rules for conservation organizations, and the exchange of Plant Reproductive Material (PRM) between farmers. Additionally, it discusses conservation varieties, Organic and Heirloom Material ((O)HM), obligations of professional operators, and governance. While not exhaustive, we believe it offers a valuable overview of the EP’s stance on these critical matters.
Furthermore, Arche Noah invite you to a lunchtime webinar where Fulya Batur will present the primary outcomes of the EP vote. This 1.5-hour webinar will elucidate the main changes proposed to the Commission’s seed marketing proposal by the European Parliament, focusing particularly on aspects pertinent to organizations and individuals engaged in agrobiodiversity conservation. Attendees will have the opportunity to pose questions and gain insights into leveraging the EP’s position for advocacy efforts in the council. The webinar is organized by Arche Noah, with the generous support of the Software AG Stiftung.
Webinar Details:
- Date: May 23, 2024
- Time: 12:00 – 13:30 PM Brussels
- Topic: ARCHE NOAH SAGST Webinar EU Seeds Marketing EP Plenary Results
Registration Link: Register here for the webinar
Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email containing further details on how to join the webinar.
Additionally, for those interested, Arche Noah compiled some media reactions that shed light on how various stakeholders, including Euroseeds and others, are responding to the provisions aimed at promoting seed diversity:
- Seed World: Why Does Europe Struggle to Get a New Seed Law That Still Works for Breeders and Farmers?
- Euractiv: Parliament wants to ease seed marketing rules for conservation efforts
- AgroPages: KWS, Euroseeds and IFOAM’s reactions on European Parliament’s Plant Reproductive Material legislation vote
FAO Agroecology Knowledge Hub Digest
The FAO Agroecology Knowledge Hub is a point of reference for all involved in agroecology. The website offers agroecology tools such as a database of knowledge and a reference database of legal frameworks and policies concerning agrecology. In addition, email groups under the banner Family Farming & Agroecology Community of Practice facilitate knowledge sharing and discussion.
All this precious insights into the agroecological world you can now receive conveniently packed in a monthly Digest fto your mailbox. Below, you can scroll through, or download, the April 2024 issue of the Digest as a taster. It includes Germinate! a new exclusive column sharing the perspectives, insights and innovations of leading agroecology and food systems researchers and practitioners. If you want to suscribe, contact the Knowledge Hub.
Table of content
- InFocus: Farmers’ Protest Around Europe
- Germinate!
- Innovation
- Voices from the Ground
- From the Research World
- Multimedia
- Policy Briefs & Studies
- Upcoming Events
- Behind the Scenes
APBREBES Newsletter #62
The April issue of the newsletter of the Association for Plant Breeding for the Benefit of Society (APBREBES) reports on the UPOV negotiations concerning smallholders and the interpretation of the exception of private and non-commercial use of plant propagation material. It also covers patents on plants and regulation for the New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) in Europe.
Here is the detail of the content table:
- UPOV Turns a Deaf Ear to the Concerns of Smallholder Farmers
- New Genomic Techniques and Intellectual Property Law: Challenges and Solutions for the Plant Breeding Sector
- African Perspectives on Agroecology – Why Farmer-led Seed and Knowledge Systems Matter
- Advancing Agrobiodiversity – Why Organisations of Smallholders and Indigenous Peoples are Vital
- African Free Trade Agreements and Intellectual Property
Read the newsletter on APBREBES website.
You can subscribe to receive the monthly newsletter direct in your mailbox.
Report of the 12th Let’s Liberate Diversity! Forum in Dublin and a glimpse into the Future LLD! Forum in France
We are thrilled to share the highlights and accomplishments of the 12th edition of the Let’s Liberate Diversity Forum (LLD Forum), which took place at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, from October 26th to 28th, 2023.
Organized by the European Coordination Let’s Liberate Diversity! (EC-LLD), this event marked a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to promote the dynamic management of agricultural biodiversity. The EC-LLD draws its roots from the annual Let’s Liberate Diversity Forum, which commenced in 2005 in Poitiers, France. Over the past 18 years, these forums have evolved into pivotal gatherings, advocating for the dynamic management of plant genetic resources to diversify our food systems and value chains.
The LLD! Forum in Dublin
The 12th edition of the forum, hosted at Trinity College in collaboration with the Irish Seed Savers Association (ISSA), witnessed a remarkable convergence of knowledge, experience, and expertise. With over 100 participants from 59 organizations across 29 different countries, the Forum brought together a diverse group of farmers, breeders, scientists, civil society organizations, and citizens who shared a common vision of a resilient and diverse food system.
Let’s Liberate Diversity! Forum Program Highlights
The program was rich and diverse, featuring 15 workshops and plenary sessions covering key issues such as policy and legislations, New Breeding Techniques (NBTs), Seed Marketing Reform, Farmers’ Rights, Culinary Breeding, and Seed Quality. The collaborative spirit of the forum fostered an ideal setting for individuals and organizations to unite, exchange knowledge, and take actions towards a future where diversity isn’t only celebrated but also managed and utilized sustainably.
Beyond intellectual exchanges and workshops, the forum provided ample opportunities for networking, collaboration, and relationship building. Attendees connected during social dinners and explored firsthand the practical applications of dynamic seed management through field visits and seed exchanges.
The Next Chapter: the 13th Edition of the LLD! Forum in France
Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that the next edition of the Let’s Liberate Diversity Forum is scheduled to take place in France in October 2024. As we reflect on the success of the Dublin Forum, we are energized and committed to continuing the mission of promoting diversity in our food systems.
Bringing Diversity Back into our Food System:
As expressed in the slogan of the 12th edition, “Let’s bring Diversity back into our Food System,” we firmly believe that the dynamic management of agrobiodiversity is not just a response to crises but a foundation for a flourishing and sustainable agrifood system. Diversity, both ecological and cultural, is the catalyst for transformative solutions, fostering social cohesion and cultural enrichment.
Stay tuned for updates on the upcoming edition in France and continue to be part of the movement to bring diversity back into our food system.
Resilient Seed Systems: Shared Action Framework
The Global Alliance for the Future of Food summarised the output of a stakeholders workshop in Mexico and subsequent inputs into a framework for shared action on resilient seed systems.
The framework attempts a definition of resilient seed systems around the following principles:
- Diverse
- Complex and dynamic
- Equitable and right-based
- Renewable
- Healthy
- Interdependent
- Intergenerational
and provides a brainstorming tool for strategic action at the local, national and global levels along the following dimensions:
- Policy and advocacy
- Research and education
- Platform and alliances
- Communcation
- Financing
The Nagoya Protocol and nitrogen-fixing maize
A new paper by Jack Kloppenburg, analysing a case of piracy of nitrogen fixing maize germplasm from Indigenous communities, is available with open access online under the title: The Nagoya Protocol and nitrogen-fixing maize: Close encounters between Indigenous Oaxacans and the men from Mars (Inc.).
Kloppenburg, J., Calderón, C.I., Ané, J.M. (2024) The Nagoya Protocol and nitrogen-fixing maize: Close encounters between Indigenous Oaxacans and the men from Mars (Inc.), Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene 12 (1): 00115, https://doi.org/10.1525/elementa.2023.00115
Réseau Semences Paysannes: 20th anniversary celebrations
Members of the Réseau Semences Paysannes gathered to celebrate two decades of defense and dissemination of farmer seeds, on September 22, 23 and 24 at Sauméjan in South West France.
The festivities began with an exchange between the different species’ groups and a historical round table where everyone was able to tell their memories of moments spent at the Network. The “elders” were able to meet the next generation of the RSP.
Members focused on several subjects on Saturday morning: upcoming legislative reforms, climate change, food autonomy, rules of use of the commons, shared governance, etc. The trad ball on Friday evening and the Sans Interdit concert on Saturday had us dancing in a festive atmosphere.
Activities such as the Seeds and Biodiversity fresk and the workshop to learn how to clean and preserve your seeds were able to attract an audience interested in “practical” questions surrounding seeds. Young and old children were able to listen to the tales of Claire from Biaugerme.
The weekend concluded with a “Memories of the Future” workshop where participants placed themselves in 2033 to tell their “memories” of the Network. Many ideas emerged for the future of the Network. Members want new meetings, particularly international ones, but also to extend training and education around seeds and to expand the number of members of the Network.
Maud Dumont
Chargée de mission 20 ans
New paper on the possible deregulation of GMO in EU
The European Commission (EC) is set to propose the deregulation of certain genetically
modified (GM) plants that have been produced using gene editing, a set of techniques
within genetic engineering. This report looks at the possible implications and
consequences of such a deregulation for the European Union (EU), considering the Union’s
efforts to achieve wider policy objectives with respect to sustainable food and farming
systems, consumer choice, innovation, competitiveness, and other strategic goals.
In sum, deregulation of certain GM crops and foods could have wide and long-term
implications, not only for the use of specific crop biotechnologies in farming and food
production in Europe, but for the broader sustainable and equitable development of
European agri-food systems. The report argues that these potential implications should
be weighed carefully in a broad and democratic debate, which should prioritise the desired
sustainable directions for European agriculture and food systems, rather than placing a naïve
faith in the supposed power of a singular technological pathway that locks farmers, input
suppliers, food companies and consumers into an input-dependent technology treadmill.
The new report produced by Adrian Ely, Patrick van Zwanenberg, Elise Wach and Dominic Glover for the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament is available here
ELKANA organised the Organic Farming and Agroecology conference in Georgia
The International conference Organic Farming and Agroecology was organized by the Biological Farming Association Elkana on June 23, 2023, in the Fabrika conference hall. The conference was opened by Elkana Director Mariam Jorjadze and Deputy Minister of Environment Protection and Agriculture Solomon Pavliashvili. Raimund Jehle, the Deputy Regional Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), sent a video appeal specially for the Conference. Beka Urushadze – HEKS-EPER regional director for the South Caucasus, Giorgi Tchumburidze – Economic Advisor of the Danish Embassy, Kim Noelle Kwibuka – Brot fűr die Welt representative (Germany) and Ketevan Khutsishvili – Rural Development Program Manager of the European Union Delegation to Georgia, also welcomed the conference.
The international conference Organic Farming and Agroecology
At the international conference the role of organic and agro-ecological agriculture in improving the agri-food sector and transforming it into equitable and economically, socially and ecologically sustainable system was discussed. The Conference covered the following issues from global, regional and Georgian perspectives:
- Session #1 – Organic Farming Development Tendencies
- Session #2 – Organic and other Quality Marks in Hazelnut Sector
- Session #3 – Agroecology and Farmers’ Rights
- Session #4 – Market access: Practical Examples Benefiting Organic and Agroecological Producers
Local and international experts, as well as farmer organizations from Georgia, the region and beyond from 12 countries presented their findings and experience at the Conference.The conference was attended by about 150 participants – representatives of governmental, international, civil society organizations and scientific institutions; organic and agroecological farmers, companies involved in organic production, and other stakeholders.
In parallel with the Conference, Farmers Fair of local, organic and eco-friendly products was held. After the conference, one- and two-day tours to Elkana conservation farms in Kakheti and Samtskhe-Javakheti were organized for the participants.
Supporters
The Conference was held with financial support from the Danish Development Agency (DANIDA), HEKS-EPER (Switzerland), Brot für die Welt (Germany), Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and Agroecology Fund. And the conference was supported by organizations – European Coordination – Let’s Liberate Diversity, European Coordination Via Campesina (ECVC) and Schola Campesina.
Conference materials (presentations and video recordings of the speeches) are available on the Conference website – www.conference.elkana.org.ge
ELKANA
The Biological Farming Association Elkana, a Georgian non-governmental organization, was founded in 1994. The association membership is open to any citizen of Georgia interested in the development of organic farming in the country, as well as the protection of the environment.
The Association facilitates the improvement of the socio-economic condition of the rural population of Georgia and environmental protection through fostering the development of organic farming, the introduction of agro-ecological practices, diversification of economic activity and increasing self-reliance of the population in rural areas.
Elkana is an active contributor to policy development related to agricultural biodiversity in Georgia – Elkana experts were involved in the elaboration of the agricultural biodiversity part of the first and second National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans of Georgia in 2003-2005 and 2011-2013. At the same time Elkana is an active participant of international networks working on agricultural biodiversity conservation, like SAVE Foundation (save-foundation.net), European Coordination La via Campesina, GENET, Bioversity International, Nyeleni – European Food Sovereignty Network, and Slow Food
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