Policy

European Citizens’ Initiative Forum for the Right to Food: what’s boiling in the pot?

From May 29-31, 2024, the second European Citizens’ Initiative Forum for the Right to Food was held in Geneva, Switzerland. The event brought together over 70 participants who engaged in various working groups over the three days, initiating a collaborative process to advocate for the right to food. Soon the petition will be launched!

Agroecology in and for Europe (AE4EU Project)

The second volume of results from the AE4EU European project’s mapping exercise an agroecology in Europe was published. It includes material on Denmark, France, Hungary, Ireland, Moldova, The Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and
the UK.

Seed diversity in the EU: what is it all about?

Swedish agrobiodiversity activist Sivert Stiernebro has been conducting an educational campaign on the significance of seed diversity for farming and the impact of EU legislation on the availability of diverse seed. Sivert is keen to take his message to a wider audience and looking for local activists to help him share it far and wide.

EU agrobiodiversity conservation at risk

While an improvement on the EU Commission’s draft, the EU Parliament resolutions to be put into law still fail to support agrobiodiversity conservation. But there is still time for EU Member States to act.

EP Seeds Marketing Plenary vote – Arche Noah analysis from Seed diverstiy 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.

FAO Agroecology Knowledge Hub Digest

Read the April 2024 issue of the FAO Agroecology Knowledge Hub Digest, a taster of the insights into the world of agroecology that you could receive via email

APBREBES Newsletter #62

The April 2024 issue of the APBREBES newsletter is published on their website. Topics: UPOV and smallholder rights, NGTS and EU regulation.

New genomic techniques passed EU parliament! Press releases from ECVC and FoE

The European Parliament confirmed its support for the deregulation of patented GMOs/NGTs, and opened the door to their dissemination without any traceability through the regulation on seeds marketing

Results of the European Parliament vote on Plant Reproductive Materials

Vote on EU seed law: Industry attack on diversity largely defeated EU Parliament votes in favour of farmers’ right to seeds – but fails to strengthen the preservation of local and traditional varieties

Resilient Seed Systems: Shared Action Framework

The Global Alliance for the Future of Food published a Shared Action Framework and strategic brainstorming tool for action in support of resilient food systems

Opinion: patents and GMOs in organic production

This piece describes how regulation shaped plant breeding markets and how genetic techniques may or may not fit in with organic breeding

The Nagoya Protocol and nitrogen-fixing maize

Paper discussing a case of piracy of nitrogen fixing maize germplasm from Indigenous communities and more generally the implications of the Nagoya Protocol for access and benefit-sharing (ABS) agreements related to genetic resources and biodiversity.

Via Campesina stands behind ANSES’ analysis of new GMOs proposal

ECVC calls on the European Parliament and the European Council to suspend their examination of the GMO-NTG deregulation proposal in its current form, which has been found to rest on shaky scientific grounding

Seeds of Europe: a documentary that tells us a lot

The documentary, about 30 minutes in length, aims to give voice to a handful of small-scale artisanal seed growers from different European countries and explore the difficulties they face in preserving and distributing seeds.

ITPGRFA Report and Resolutions of the 10th Session

FAO released the report and resolutions of the tenth session of the governing body of the ITPGRFA

Organic Heterogeneous Material: new operators’ tutorial

A tutorial on the new EU Organic Heterogeneous Material (OHM) regime is available to enable new operators to enter this exciting market for agrobiodiversity

Taking action together for a better EU Seed Law

A useful advocacy package from Arche Noah, it includes slides and recordings from the November 23 workshop, a position paper and a section on the website

Policymakers should respect the organic movement’s choice on NGTs

Read more on the organic sector position against NGTs and their appeal to MEPs and Member States to regulate these new GMOs.

Le mouvement européen des semences lance un appel : Levons nos fourchettes pour la diversité !

Une nouvelle pétition internationale demande aux institutions de l’UE de revoir la proposition de règlement sur les semences

Let’s raise our forks for diversity!

An international petition to support biodiversity in the fields for fairer and more sustainable food systems needs your support: please sign and share!

New paper on the possible deregulation of GMO in EU

This report looks at the possible implications and
consequences of the proposed deregulation of certain genetically
modified (GM) plants

ELKANA organised the Organic Farming and Agroecology conference in Georgia

The international conference of the ECLLD member ELKANA on Organic Farming and Agroecology took place in Georgia

EU Seed reform under scrutiny: Unpacking criticisms and concerns from ECLLD members

Discussions on the New EU Seed Regulation – Perspectives from ECLLD’s Members

Let’s Liberate Diversity (ECLLD) at the 19th Regular Session of the Commission of Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) at FAO

ECLLD at the Session on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture at FAO

Arche Noah: seed law reform and new genetic engineering a double attack on our seeds!

Following the presentation by the European Commission of the two seed dossiers, here is the press release from Arche Noah. EU proposals fuel monopolisation at the expense of farmers and consumers

FAQ on Organic Rules

DG AGRI published a FAQ on Organic Rules with a section devoted to plant propagation material

Agroecology training manual

Six peasant agroecology organisations share lessons learned on their outreach activities

Joint Letter to the European Commission on the EU Seed Marketing Legislation

Cultivated diversity advocates write joint letter to the European Commission ahead of the EU Seed Marketing Legislation reform proposal

Genetic engeneering endangers the protection of species

In view of the upcoming EU proposal of updated rules on plants produced with New Genomic Techniques (NGTs, NBTs), Test Biotech released in 2020 report: “Genetic engeneering endangers the protection of species”.

Rural resilience: a collective adventure

A report on socio-ecological transitions concludes: “It’s a long road to building a new way of imagining life in the countryside.” “None of us can do it alone.”

ECA report: securing agricultural product supply chains during COVID-19

The European Court of Auditors (ECA) published a special report assessing the EU response to the Covid 19 crisis with regards to the agricultural products supply chain, which is available online together with the response of the European Commission

Radicchio: a success story of culinary breeding

The Culinary Breeding Network organizes activities to inspire connection and collaboration throughout the food system, in order to improve plant breeding for organic farming. Among these activities was a trip to Italy, visiting the places where radicchio – the most famous form of plant Chicorium intybus – originates from.

IPES-Food briefing on increasing concentration of corporate power in the food system

“Who is tipping the scale” is the lastes briefing note publicated by the International Panel of Expert on Sustainable Food System (IPES-Food). It investigates the growing influence of corporations on the governance of food systems, and presents options for how to counter it

M.Pimbert – Transforming food and agriculture

In this paper, Pimbert compares and contrasts the mainstream and agroecological approaches to the transformation of food systems.

Seeding tomorrow

The Gaia Foundation Seed Sovereignty Programme published a video looking at Irish growers who, amongst the chaos of Brexit and climate change, are chasing security and hope for the future by returning to growing and saving seed. Seeds and people have shaped each other...

Pesticide Atlas 2022

Pesticides are toxic and have multiple and complex impacts on the environment and our lives: these are analysed in some detail in the Pesticide Atlas 2022, a joint publication by Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Friends of the Earth Europe, Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz, and PAN Europe. Available in both English and German.

Organic seed and breeding sector: stakeholder survey

The EU project Liveseeding is looking for input from current and prospective organic seed producers and traders in order to identify which obstacles are in the way of the horizontal proliferation (scale-out) and scale-up of organic seed and cultivar testing in the EU.

Report “The Right to Seeds in Africa” published

The Geneva Academy, together with policy research think thank The South Center, Swissaid and CROPS4HD, released a new report on UPOV and UNDROP by the title: The Right To Seeds In Africa.

Press Release: Launch of the European Network of Agroecological Food Systems

The European Network for Agroecological Food Systems (ENAF) is the outcome of Horizon 2020 project Agroecology for Europe (AE4EU). It was launched at the end of January 2023 with the objective to connect and complement the work of existing networks in Europe. ENAF is actively looking for co-founders, participants and friends.

Which seeds for a just transition to agroecological and sustainable food systems?

MEPs Martin Häusling and Sarah Wiener MEP, in collaboration with diversity advocates Arche Noah, organised a presentation for the political study ‘Which seeds for a just transition to agroecological and sustainable food systems?’ in connection with the ongoing EU reform of seeds marketing rules. Members of ECLLD sat on the panel to discuss the future of seed diversity.

Bringing diversity to Fields with Heritage Grains

Today’s food production is dependent on a small number of crops. By bringing old varieties back to the fields, the diversity of crops can be increased on farms. A Finnish projects shows that the special raw materials that are old seed varieties can bring economic value as food and associated services.

A new paper on digital sequence information, cultivated biodiversity and the movement for open source seed systems

A new paper discusses the different sides of the digital sequence information (DSI) debate, by analysing the ongoing legal vacuum for DSI and the potential of open-source seed as a social movement and governance mechanism across physical and digital spheres.

Seed Sovereignty in the European Union

Grounded in UN human rights declaration and inspired by a policy analysis comparing EU and Indian legislation, this research provides EU policy recommendations to embed rural citizens’ human rights in the EU plant variety right system.

FiBL: Visiting Friends of Agrobiodiversity Across Europe

“To get to know this diversity better, we take you on a journey through Europe from north to south, visiting the pioneers of organic plant and animal breeding.
With their diverse and unique activities, they are contributing, not only to ecological, but also to societal resilience. “

Representing LLD at the 16th ECPGR meeting in Malmö, Sweden: a report from Sesam

Dylan Wallman from Föreningen Sesam, swedish seed savers, participated at the the 16th ECPGR meeting. The meeting, organized in collaboration with NordGen, was held in Malmö, Sweden, gathering National Coordinators from 28 countries and observers from NordGen, the FAO Plant Treaty Secretariat and the European NGOs.

Seeds & Crop Biodiversity in European Policy

Welcome to Sprouts from Brussels! This newsletter is produced by Fulya Batur and ARCHE NOAH and wishes to inform the seeds and crop biodiversity movement across Europe on the policy developments which may have an impact on their activities. This month, i) Impact Assessment of Seeds Marketing Reform & EP Conference ii)Open Public Consultation on New Genomic Techniques and iii) Open Public Consultation on EU Framework for Sustainable Food Systems

On 22nd June a conference on the EU seed marketing reform in the European Parliament 

The Geneva Academy, IFOAM Organics Europe, Demeter International and ARCHE NOAH cordially invite you to a Conference on the EU seed marketing reform in the European Parliament on the 22nd of June, from 1:30 pm until 5:45 pm with cross-party support. It will be hosted by Martin Häusling (GREENS/EFA), Eric Andrieu (S&D), Norbert Lins (EPP), Dacian Ciolos (Renew Europe) and Anja Hazekamp (GUE/NGL).

CALL for applications: SAVE OUR SEEDS programme

Save our seeds has set up a programme for young activists, educators, seed savers and various organisations on different seed issues. There will be one part more open to a general audience and a second part more detailed and with many lecturers from different realities.

Have your say: EU seed marketing legislation Impact Assessment Survey

The European Commission is looking to reform the European Union (EU) seed marketing legislation. To assess the policy options, the EU Commission has launched a public consultation, which is open to associations and individuals in the EU, and anywhere around the world, until 27th March 2022

FiBL 2022 – The World of Organic Agriculture

The 2022 edition of “The World of Organic Agriculture” was launched on February 15, 2022 at a virtual event organized by BIOFACH, IFOAM – Organics International and the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL.

Understanding the existing framework: what openings to cultivate biodiversity?

With this regulatory kit written in French, RSP provides all the information you need to understand the legal aspects of marketing seeds and their general legal framework.

No Patents on Seeds! calls for an International Conference

No Patents on Seeds! has started a petition calling for an international conference. The organisation is demanding that a ministerial conference of the contracting states of the EPO is held within one year, with the aim of taking effective measures to stop patents being granted on conventional plant and animal breeding.

ECLLD participation in the 2nd International Congress on Agrobiodiversity

Let’s Liberate Diversity! presented an abstract at the 2nd International Congress on Agrobiodiversity. During the “Scientific Symposium session: Integrated Conservation and Use of Agrobiodiversity”, ECLLD showed the impact that LLD and LCD events have on the conservation and use of agrobiodiversity to change our seed and food systems

SPD#6: UNDROP, Farmers’ rights to seeds and biodiversity

To discuss policy developments that affect crop diversity movements, the European Coordination Let’s Liberate Diversity (ECLLD) has launched a series of virtual Seed Policy Dialoguers, in October 2021, the meeting focused on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and People living in rural areas (UNDROP)

SPD#4: Intellectual Property Rights: patents on seeds

To discuss policy developments that affect crop diversity movements, the European Coordination Let’s Liberate Diversity (ECLLD) has launched a series of virtual Seed Policy Dialogues. In July 2021, the SPD focused on a particular type of intellectual property right on seeds, patents, and their impacts on agrobiodiversity.

Naming plants in international legislation- words matter!

Implications for change and implementation of international legislation by Michèle PERRIN-TAILLAT (THE FULL ARTICLE IS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND FRENCH-LINKS AT THE END) Plant terminology in legislative texts regulating the commercialisation, use and protection of...

SPD#3: Future EU Seed Marketing Reform

To discuss policy developments that affect crop diversity movements, the European Coordination Let’s Liberate Diversity (ECLLD) has launched a series of virtual Seed Policy Dialogues. In May 2021, the SPD focused on the main points of the European Commission study on the seed law reform

ARCHE NOAH on EU Seed Study: Right to Seeds must be honoured

DG SANTE publishes study on options to revise the legislation governing the production and marketing of seeds and other plant propagating material On April 29th DG SANTE published a study on options to update the seed marketing legislation. The study marks the start...

First International Multi-stakeholder Symposium on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture – webcast

Technical Consultation on in situ conservation and on-farm management of PGRFA, 29 - 30 March 2021 Recognizing the importance of crop diversity is crucial for achieving food security and improved nutrition. Failure to...

European Patent Office finally revokes Monsanto patent on melons

However, further patents on seeds can still be granted.. 19 March 2021 / The Technical Board of Appeal at the European Patent Office (EPO) has confirmed the revocation of a patent on melons held by Monsanto (EP1962578). In the patent, Monsanto claims melons with a...

ECLLD-NEWS! February

Europe - It's time to exchange seeds, what initiatives are there in your country? Within what legal framework is it possible to act? How can we have organic varieties and how is the organic plant breeding status? KWANN-Norwegian Seed Savers organized a...

The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review

From 1992 to 2014, economic capital per capita (wealth) doubled and human capital per capita (the set of skills acquired) increased by 13 per cent, while natural capital per capita (comprising soil, geology, air, water and all living organisms) declined by almost 40...

UPOV animation: The great seed robbery

Most seed laws that are trying to be imposed in the world are based on a convention called UPOV (International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants). Most people or organisations don’t know about UPOV, and its contents and implications for our seeds are...

Agro-Perma-Lab SEEDS Training ONLINE

“Agro-Perma-Lab: SEEDS” 2021 Training is an online training series of 10 thematic modules for educators, social activists and community leaders in agroecology and permaculture from the Food Sovereignty Network in Poland and, by extension in English, in...

ECO-PB Newsletter January 2021

WEBSITE UPDATES Training & teaching materialThe COVID-19 pandemic has created the largest disruption of education systems in history, affecting nearly 1.6 billion learners in more than 190 countries and all continents (United Nations, 2020). To counteract...

Dynaversity video scribing #4: Seed marketing rules

Selling seeds on the market is not as simple as it might seem. What are the main seed marketing rules, and how are they applied? Here we explain the main steps of seed registration, certification and marketing implemented in Europe....

Petition against patent monopolies on seeds!

Stop patent monopolies on seeds! We demand a moratorium for patents on plants and animals We demand that the European Patent Office (EPO) takes urgent action to protect the common good by stopping patent monopolies on seeds. As long as we have no solution, there...

Survey for maintainers and marketers of registered varieties of plant reproductive material

As part of a deep study, ICF have launched a survey for maintainers and marketers of registered varieties. The survey aims to help the European Commission better understand the marketing of seeds to amateur/hobby gardeners. If you are an organisations who maintain or...

Seed Marketing Directives

Study kicks off at the end of June 2020 as consultancy is chosen The consultancy that will do the background work for the study requested by Member States to the European Commission on the options to reform the seeds marketing rules hasbeen chosen by the...

Eleven reasons why Europe needs to ban patents on food plants and farm animals

New report on patent applications for conventional plant and animal breeding 23 April 2020 / No Patents on Seeds! published a new report today on patent applications for conventional plant and animal breeding which, according to European patent law, are excluded from...

France : a new ethical charter and an updated definition of peasant seeds for the national seed network. 

Over the past three years, peasant seeds and the products derived from them (veggies, flour, bread  …) have been more and more attractive for agribusiness actors as an interesting niche market. In France, we choose to use the concept of « commons » not...

Embedding Cultivated Diversity in Society for Agro-Ecological Transition

Agroecology calls for a global approach, integrating scientific, practical, and advocacy dimensions, to redesign agricultural systems based on ecological and socio-cultural processes and emphasizing biodiversity. Click here to read the DIVERSIFOOD published article

SUMMER SCHOOL: Participatory Plant Breeding & Resilient Seed Systems

Whithin DYNAVERSITY we are organizing a summer school on Participatory Plant Breeding & Resilient Seed Systems Sunday 16 – Friday 21 August 2020 https://www.pe-rc.nl/PPB-RSS   Preliminary programme Sunday afternoon (before dinner) the course starts off with...

Workshops at the 10th LLD!

The European Coordination Let's Liberate Diversity! is organizing two workshops at the next 10th LLD, one on EU networks and another on seed systems.      French Version

10th European Forum Let’s Liberate Diversity!

Tenth edition of the Forum organized by the European Coordination Let's Liberate Diversity!   After nine editions organised in as many different European countries, the LLD! Forum returns to France where it was organised for the first time in 2005.    ...

A dysfunctional plant variety protection system

Ten years of UPOV implementation in francophone Africa Ten years of UPOV implementation in francophone Africa Click here

International appeal to the President of the European Patent Office, António Campinos

Call for an immediate moratorium of patents on plants and animal 24 January 2019 / No Patents on Seeds! together with more than 40 other organisations today published an international appeal to the president of the European Patent Office...

Ecpgr: the final activity report

We are pleased to inform you that the final Activity report for LINKAGES has been published online.   It is included in the publications database http://www.ecpgr.cgiar.org/resources/ecpgr-publications  and also available directly from the LINKAGES...

84 initiatives from 20 EU countries participated, it’s on-line the CSBs report!

We are happy to inform you that the results of the survey are online now. They are integrated in the report about the workshop on Community Seed Banks in September 2017 where many of participated.  You can download it HERE! The report also includes all...

Organic Seed Alliance

Last year, OSA’s programs resulted in more research projects, educational events, and advocacy initiatives than ever before...  Report Organic Seed Alliance 2017   We trained hundreds of seed growers and other seed advocates in the field, classroom, and via...