Policy

Hear about the OSSI Breeder Grant Program

Carol Deppe explains the Breeder Grant Program Want to know more about the thinking and intent behind OSSI's inaugural Breeder Grant Program? Listen to her interview on Dan Brisebois' "Seed Farmer Podcast." Get it on Spotify at:...

15th Let’s Liberate Diversity! Forum, Scandicci 2026: final report and LiveSeeding workshops

The final report of the 15th LLD Forum (Scandicci, 23-25 May 2026) is available: 117 participants from 34 countries, nine workshops, three of them dedicated to the Horizon project LiveSeeding.

ARCHE NOAH online Seed Policy Workshop on the new EU seed marketing rules – 6 October 2026

ARCHE NOAH invites the seed movement to a full-day online workshop on the new EU rules on seed marketing, Tuesday 6 October 2026, 9:00–16:30 CEST. The trilogue outcome on the PRM Regulation, topic by topic, and next steps at EU and national level. Registration open.

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.

Stay up to date with ECO-PB through their newsletter

ECO-PB members, breeders, organic farmers and anyone with an interest in organic plant breeding is encouraged to subscribe to the ECO-PB newsletter.

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.

80 percent of European citizens say NO to patents on seeds

No Patents on Seeds! recently published the results of a public opinion survey on plant and animal patents. The results are clear, European citizens are against it.

Blacked-Out Ingredients campaign: defend transparency in food labelling

A Europe-wide campaign is calling on citizens and organisations to defend transparency in food labelling. The Blacked-Out Ingredients campaign warns that EU labels may soon no longer indicate whether food contains altered DNA, and invites people across Europe to take action, contact MEPs, and share the campaign materials widely.

How can municipalities help defend seed diversity in Europe?

How can municipalities help defend seed diversity in Europe? A recent initiative from the Red de Municipios por la Agroecología (RMAe) offers a strong example!

Read the latest newsletter of the Buzuruna Juzuruna network!

The 2025-2026 newsletter of the Buzuruna Juzuruna network is out! A short excerpt of the content: news from the region Ancient Cereals Festival farm work and experiments seed and seedling distribution campaigns news on training and education news from the HoBob...

European Patent Office tries to knock out European patent law

New rule was intended to prevent patents on traditional plant breeding 19 February 2026 / The European Patent Office has granted patent EP3720272 claiming traditionally-bred tomatoes with resistance to a plant virus (TBRFV) to the Dutch company Rijk Zwaan. The gene...

Seed Markets, Agroecology, and the Right to Food

The new seed brochure Seed Markets, Agroecology, and the Right to Food - by Brot fuer die Welt and HEKS/EPER provides insights from an advocacy journey about the EU Seed Marketing Reform. The brochure addresses the link between seed laws, human rights, and sustainable...

Inputs to UN Working Group Report on Right to Seeds

The UN Working Group on Peasants is writing a report on the Right to Seeds. Here we share a call to share inputs organised by the UN itself.

Joint InnOBreed and Liveseeding survey

What are the LiveSeeding and InnOBreed projects? The LIVESEEDING project aims to foster the growth of the organic sector and transition towards more sustainable local food systems by delivering high quality organic seed of diverse cultivars adjusted to organic farming...

(Belated) news on the EU Council’s decision on PRM rules

Last December the EU Council voted to begin negotiations on new rules for PRM. IFOAM and ARCHE NOAH warn of the risks these changes bring for farmer’s rights and food sovereignty.

Sign letter of support to our Malaysian colleagues

Malaysia is being pressured to adopt a restrictive seed monopoly system that undermines farmers’ rights, biodiversity, and the right to food. Stand in solidarity with Malaysian smallholder farmers and defend their right to seeds! Sign the letter in this post by 10 January 2026.

Granollers Manifesto now available in 9 languages

Our colleague María Carrascosa from Red de Municipios por la Agroecología has shared with us the updated version of the Granollers Manifesto, now available in 9 languages. Access it through the link in this post.

EU Agriculture Ministers Restrict Farmers’ Rights

ARCHE NOAH warns: Council position hands more power to seed industry! An effective ban on the work of small cereal breeders, prohibitions on farmer seed exchange, and a bureaucratic nightmare for local seed producers. Today’s General Approach on the proposed new EU Seed Law adopted by the Council of Agriculture Ministers threatens agrobiodiversity and plays into the hands of the agrochemical lobby.

New paper on consequences of deregulation on the seed sector

Our colleagues at IG Saatgut have shared with us a summary of their latest position paper on NGTs. You can find the summary paper in this post.

“Raise our Forks” Update

Important news from ARCHE NOAH regarding the Raise Our Forks petition and what to do.

Study on Open Source Seed models

We share with you an study on Open Source Seed models – how they navigate the current policy environment, and how they succeed.

Patent-free zone for classical plant breeding in Europe!

No Patents on Seeds! has recently published a report with a proposal to amend the law to breeders’ access to biological material. We share the report here.

Scandalous patent granted on tomatoes

Our partners at ARCHE NOAH and No Patents on Seeds! have informed us of a new patent on tomato seeds held by a Dutch company. Here we share their press release.

Mapping Actors in Farmers’ Managed Seed Systems Worldwide

We are launching a survey to map organizations, networks, and communities working on farmers’ managed seed systems and cultivated biodiversity across the world. Complete the survey and share it widely

Farmer-Managed Seed Systems in Tanzania: Workshop report

The report and policy brief from the workshop “Creating Space for Farmers’ Seeds in Seed Regulations – Capitalizing International Learnings and Identifying Options for Tanzania” are now available. We share them here.

CGRFA-20: Session Outcomes

We share a summary of the outcomes from the 20th Regular Session of the FAO’s Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

The Seed Policy Dialogue is now available in Spanish!

Download the ” Politica de semillas de la UE”

Bring your seeds to the LLD Forum!

CALL FOR SEEDS! If you are joining us at the 14th European Forum ‘Let's Liberate Diversity’ this coming September, please bring your seeds from bean, pumpkin, and corn varieties. We will use them to illustrate our political message for the liberation of cultivated...

Growing the Movement: Connecting Global Seed Networks at the LLD! Forum

The LLD Forum 2025 will witness a global convergence of farmers’ seed initiatives and networks working to build shared infrastructure, strengthen coordination, and support farmers’ seed systems and cultivated diversity worldwide.

Right to Food Initiative accepted by the EU Commission!

The European Citizens’ Initiative on the Right to Food has been officially accepted by the EU Commission. Here we share Good Food For All’s next steps for the campaign and how you can support them.

Defend farmers’ seed rights – reach out to EU lawmakers!

The EU Commission’s proposed seed law is a threat to farmers’ right to seeds and biodiversity in the EU. European agriculture ministers and the EU parliament must be convinced to protect farmers rights and defend the conservation and sustainable use of local varieties.

LLD speaks to SeedWorld about preserving seed diversity

A recent article published by SeedWorld reports on organisations and initiatives in Europe, Africa and USA to resist consolidation in the seed sector and preserve seed diversity. LLD’s Riccardo Bocci was interviewed for this article and provided a European perspective.

Réseau Semences Paysannes write to MEPs to oppose New Genomic Techniques

Réseau Semences Paysannes has written to Members of the European Parliament to denounce the EU Council’s proposal to distinguish and deregulate certain plants derived from new genomic techniques (NGT). This proposal is a threat to environmental health and safety, as well as to farmers’ activities, and is in opposition to an agro-ecological transition to more sustainable food systems.

Final Report Released: 13th Let’s Liberate Diversity! Forum and International Gathering “Sow Your Resistance”

We are delighted to announce the release of the Final Report of the 13th Let’s Liberate Diversity! Forum, which in 2024 was hosted as part of the International Gathering “Sow Your Resistance” in Antibes, France. Co-organised by Réseau Semences Paysannes (RSP), SOL,...

Support the European Citizens’ Initiative on the Right to Food!

Last month, Good Food for All – EU (GFFA-EU) officially submitted the European Citizens’ Initiative on the Right to Food to the European Commission. Now, the GFFA-EU Coalition is seeking support from organisations and individuals across the EU to build momentum for the campaign. Here, we provide options for supporting the movement.

Seeds at Risk – Global Struggles for Control over Food / Online Launch of the Report

APBREBES has released a compelling new report titled Seeds at Risk, co-published with SWISSAID and international partners, shedding light on the critical role seeds play at the heart of resilient and equitable food systems. The publication unpacks the complex challenges and debates currently shaping seed policy and practice worldwide.

Community seedbanks in Europe: their role between ex situ and on-farm conservation

This article explores the role of European community seedbanks (CSBs) in conserving agrobiodiversity alongside formal ex situ systems. While much research focuses on the Global South, this study examines three European CSBs and their collaboration with genebanks and formal seed systems.

Let’s Liberate Diversity! Forum 2025 – Registration Now Open

We are excited to announce that registration is now open for the Let’s Liberate Diversity! Forum 2025, co-organised by Let’s Liberate Diversity!, Lycée Technicque Agricole (LTA), SEED Luxembourg, and LUGA Join us in Luxembourg from 4 to 6 September 2025 for a...

Launch of the DiverSeedPaths Booklet on EU Seed Policy and Legislation

The DiverSeedPaths project is proud to announce the release of its latest publication, "Capacity Building on European Seed Policy and Legislation". This practical and accessible resource is designed to empower farmers, seed savers, policymakers, and civil society...

EC-LLD! – Report from the FAO Working Group Session on PGRFA – Review of the Global Plan of Action

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...

Call for urgent and important changes to the EU seed regulation proposal

Call for urgent and important changes to the EU seed regulation proposal, by 139 organisation and 170,000 citiziens. The proposal favours the interests of industrial agriculture over both the rights of farmers and the conservation of agrobiodiversity in the EU.

EU plant breeders up against patents by the multinationals

More and more plant breeding material in the EU is getting patented by multinationals giants, a development that poses costs and hurdles for those small breeders that are working to maintain agrobiodiversity, a means of resilience in the face of climate change.

Welcome Foundation Alica and Semínkovna: New Members Strengthening ECLLD!

We’re excited to announce that Foundation Alica from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Semínkovna from the Czech Republic have joined the European Coordination Let’s Liberate Diversity! With expertise in seed diversity, community engagement, and agroecology, these organizations will enrich our efforts to promote biodiversity and sustainable seed practices across Europe.

London Freedom Seed Bank open for seed donations

The London Freedom Seed Bank is open for donation of collected seeds by the Network Growers and any new Growers that register and submit a seed donation form first.

LiveSeeding at the Let’s Liberate Diversity Forum and International Farmers’ Gathering Sow your Resistance.

From October 3rd to 5th, Antibes hosted the latest edition of the Let’s Liberate Diversity (LLD) Forum, integrated into the International Gathering ‘Sow Your Resistance’. With 500 participants from across the globe, the event brought together farmers, researchers,...

How to implement UNDROP across Europe

ECVC policy brief “How to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas (UNDROP) at the European and national level to promote peasants’ rights”

Let’s Liberate Diversity Forum, Antibes 2024: Strengthening Global Seed Networks

From October 3rd to 5th, Antibes was home to the Let’s Liberate Diversity Forum, which took place during the International Gathering ‘Sow Your Resistance’. With 500 participants from all over the world, this landmark event brought together diverse stakeholders...

Sowing social innovations for transformative change

Research paper Native seed collector networks in Brazil: Sowing social innovations for transformative change is available as Open Access early view online. ABSTRACT To investigate whether and how Social Innovation (SI) can contribute to transformative change, we...

Moving toward 100% organic seed use in German organic agriculture

A new academic paper was published in journal Organic Farming and is available as Open Access online: Trends in use of crop cultivars from organic and conventional seed multiplication: Moving toward 100% organic seed use in German organic agriculture.  ABSTRACT In...

Strategic Dialogue on the future of EU agriculture

This month marked the end of the Strategic Dialogue on the future of EU agriculture, an initiative first announced by President of the EU Commission Von der Leyen at her State of the Union address last year and that saw stakeholders in Europe engaged in discussions...

Protecting crops through plant diversity

The INRAE has recently published a free-to-download eBook by the title ‘Protecting crops through plant diversity‘ in the context of project Ecophyto 2+ meant to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides to protect public health. This book is intended for research and teaching purposes, as well as agricultural, environmentaland citizen stakeholders.

Series of surveys on forgotten crops – Radiant EU

Within the RADIANT EU project, the organisers of this survey exercise aim to support European policies and strategies that release the full value of neglected or forgotten crops and plant species within the food value chain. While in fact the current socio-economic...

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!

PGR management in farmers seed network in Europe and China

EC-LLD recently participated in an online event hosted by Pro Specie Rara, one of our members, to welcome a Chinese delegation at their headquarters in Switzerland. This was a significant step in our ongoing efforts to strengthen international collaboration and exchange knowledge on biodiversity and sustainable agriculture.

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.

SAVE the DATE – 13th LLD Forum 2024 at Sow Your Resistance, in France

The European Coordination Let’s Liberate Diversity! invite you to participate in the LLD Forum from the 3rd o the 5th of October in the beatiful city of Antibes, France.

DiverSeedPath – A New Perspective on Network and Exchange: The Traditional Seed and Ecological Gardening Festival in Volos, Greece

The Traditional Seed and Ecological Gardening Festival, held in Stagiates Village, Volos, Greece, on May 18th and 19th, was a remarkable event dedicated to exploring people, seeds, and ideas

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.

NOW ONLINE: Liveseeding Practical Guide Seed Drying & Storage

The Practical Guide for drying and storing vegetable seeds in organic small-scale and on-farm seed production is now available online in French and English.

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

Seeds and Migrants – DiverSeedPaths Project Launches with Kickoff Meeting!

We are excited to announce the official launch of the DiverSeedPaths – Seeds and Migrant project! Our journey towards cultivating resilient and inclusive communities through the lens of agricultural biodiversity and seed co-evolution is about to begin.

Hot Water Treatments to Sanitize Vegetable Seeds

Liveseeding hosted a 3h webinar entitled "Hot Water Treatments to Sanitize Vegetable Seeds" on Tuesday, March 26th, co-organised by Bingenheimer Saatgut AG (DE), the French Organic Food and Farming Institute (ITAB, FR) and the European Coordination Let's Liberate...

Report of the 12th Let’s Liberate Diversity! Forum in Dublin and a glimpse into the Future LLD! Forum in France

Organized by the European Coordination Let’s Liberate Diversity! (EC-LLD), the 12th Edition of the LLD! Forum event marked a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to promote the dynamic management of agricultural biodiversity.

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.

ITPGRFA: Outcomes of 9th Session of the Governing Body

The final Report and seventeen Resolutions of the 9th Session of the Governing Body of the ITPGRFA are now published in all official languages.

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.

Cycling Seeds: a journey of discovery into traditional seed management from Italy to Iran

Eléonore Mahée, a 28 year-old French agricultural engineer, is cycling from Italy to Iran to explore traditional seed management in a project called Cycling Seeds.
Five months into her journey, having visited Italy, Albania, Greece, Turkey and Georgia, Eléonore takes us through her learnings, sharing some insights about the conservation of traditional seeds and cultivated biodiversity.

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.

SPD#8: UPOV Convention – its Impact on Farmers in Europe and Globally

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. The last SPD of the year in December 2021 was dedicated to plant variety protection, and more specifically to the 1991 Act of the UPOV Convention

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#7: FAO CGRFA, Agrobiodiversity targets and indicators

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.

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#5: The FAO Treaty and Farmers’ Rights

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 September 2021 the meeting focused on the FAO International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), and the notion of farmers’ rights.

The FAO Treaty and Farmers’ Rights

Next September 30th at the Seed Policy Dialogue #5 we will have as guests the FAO Treaty Secretariat. After an explanation of the Treaty, we will specifically dialogue about the implementation of Farmers’ Rights and the impact of interest at the European level.

A European network for agricultural biodiversity

Over the past four years, the partners of the European DYNAVERSITY project have analysed and described the networks and actors involved in the dynamic management of agrobiodiversity. The main objective is the consolidation and enlargement of the on-farm network...

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...

Joint Letter to the European Commission: A Common Vision for Cultivated Plant Diversity

Dear Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans,Dear Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides,Dear Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski,Dear Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius, In the coming days the...

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...

Seed Networks

Politics, scientific research, knowledge, marketing, access to diversity: these are the 5 main areas in which seed networks operate. How? And what is the meaning of “farmer seed network”? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o6g31e5nLg This video is part of 10 video...

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...

SEED POLICY DIALOGUE

What does the next seed law reform foresee? Which is the vision of the agroecological movements and actors?  SEED POLICY DIALOGUE begins, once a month exchange with lawyer Fulya Batur and EC-LLD Members to analyse the Sprouts From...

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...

Seed Saving for Local Adaptation

The Norwegian Seed Savers will soon be hosting a webinar on Seed Saving for Local Adaptation with Dr. Bradley Tonnesen, who comes recommended courtesy of the Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance.  Dr. Bradley Tonnesen holds a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from Colorado State...

Peliti & Olympic Seed Festival 2021

The 21th Peliti Seed Festival will take place in Greece, at the land of Peliti in Mesochori Paranesti, Drama Prefecture Greece, on Saturday, September 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 15:00 p.m. It is with great pleasure that we invite you at the...

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...

2021 SEED LIST – Heritage Seed Library

The Heritage Seed Library (HSL) aims to conserve vegetable varieties that are not widely available. We are not a gene bank and all of our collection, once we have enough seed, will become available for our members to grow and enjoy. The collection consists of mainly...

(B)rèves de semences, le podcast ! Episode 2

Since 2003, the RSP has been bringing together groups of french farmers, gardeners and other seed practitioners around the issues of cultivated biodiversity and autonomy. In this rather special period, deprived of many opportunities to meet, we have chosen to let you...

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...

Day One at ORFC Global 2021!

The ORFC - Oxford Real Farming Conference is at day one and are planned many interesting seminars. EC-LLD will partecipate on Monday 11th at "Bringing Communities Together Through Seed: A Discussion and Planning Session for Community Seed Banks, Seed Libraries and...

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...

Establish Community Seed Banks all over Europe is a possible strategy 

So many European research projects or informal processes lead to the question of how to use and maintain agrobiodiversity, which is dramatically disappearing. For this reason, without relying on political or institutional processes, we can immediately start with...

EC-LLD / News! November 2020

The work of strengthening and enlarging the European Coordination Let's Liberate Diversity! continues. There is the need and the space to network actors dealing with seed diversity, seed systems and seed policies for an agro-ecological...

To register or not to register, that is the question

Sharing views and experiences around the registration of farmers’ varieties Webinar co-organized by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and Oxfam NetherlandsDATE: Tuesday, 10 November 2020TIME: 14:00 – 15:30 (UTC+01:00)> REGISTER HERE <...

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...

Welcome aboard!

It is with much gratitude that we announce the entry of 3 new members. Our friends from ARCHE NOAH (Austria), Heritage Seed Library (UK) and KVANN (Norway) have joined the European Coordination Let’s Liberate Diversity! ARCHE NOAH is currently housing one of the...

From Seed to Seed

From Seed to Seed is a series of 40 short films allowing anyone to learn how to produce vegetable seeds. It provides the basics of theory and practice, an ABC of seed production and shows all the necessary steps for producing seeds of 32 vegetable species. From Seed...

XXI Feria Estatal de la Biodiversidad Cultivada 2020

SPAIN - Red De Semillas This year the activities are virtual and spread over all the territories. Give a check to the program! Here the program!

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...

Magház: the hungarian civil seed network

Hungarian language but universal images: have a look at the beautiful seeds in this video realized in Szeged by the civil seed network Magház in collaboration with #DYNAVERSITY.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKiEgsbesWY&app=desktop

‘2020 call for applications of the CSB Academy’

IMPORTANT POINTS The CSB Academy accepts training proposals from community seed banks, related NGO’s and seed initiatives from European Region Thematic Areas 2020: Subjects mentioned below are given priority but applications are not limited to these subjects: Climate...

Annual report 2019 – Informe 2019

Red de Resiembra e Intercambio de variedades locales de cultivo, share the the Annual Report (SPA) It's available also the Caracterización de los bancos de semillas comunitarios en el Estado español done by the RAS within DIVERSIFOOD project.  

APREBES: Updates on Plant Variety Protection Issue #40, 11 May 2020

the latest issue of APREBES (Association for Plant Breeding for the Benefit of Society) was released #40, 11 May 2020   Here more information https://www.apbrebes.org/ APBREBES  

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...

À la recherche des semences de demain | ARTE Regards

High-performance seeds used in the food industry and monoculture are a threat to the diversity of our fruit, vegetable and cereal varieties. In 100 years, we have lost 80% of cultivated species! To the great displeasure of farmers, horticulturists and scientists, who...

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

INVITATION Assemblée Générale du RMRM

The seed network Meuse Rhin Moselle (RMRM) organizes its GA on Thursday, March 5th from 9:30 am to 5 pm (at Nature&Progrès).   The GA will be followed by an aperitif. This GA is more than a formal moment of the network, it is the moment to develop together...

Organic Seed Growers Conference

February 12-15, 2020 | Corvallis, Oregon The conference is the largest event focused solely on organic seed in North America, bringing together hundreds of farmers, plant breeders, researchers, certifiers, food companies, seed companies, and others from across the...

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...

LOCAL SEEDS: THE KEY TO SURVIVAL

The future of our agriculture and food depends as much on diversity as on seeds. The "Semillas de Identidad" campaign, supported by SWISSAID, ensures that seeds in Colombia and Nicaragua remain in the hands of farmers and that diversity is preserved. Voir la brochure...

International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

“Affirming that the past, present and future contributions of farmers in all regions of the world, particularly those in centres of origin and diversity, in conserving, improving and making available these resources, is the basis of Farmers' Rights” The eight Session...

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...

Need fo Seed

SEED is pleased to send you the first newsletter of the year. You will find an overview of upcoming activities, information on where and when to find SEED seeds and how to further support SEED's cause. Click Here

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...

“Plant Diversity Useful” SEED, Luxemburg

Initiatives in Luxembourg to preserve and promote local and locally adapted species and varieties. Edition 2018      

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...

DYNAVERSITY

To understand and disseminate DYNAVERSITY, where the European Coordination - LLD it's involved, here you can download the brochure of the project! English: DYNAVERSITY EN.pdf Italian: DYNAVERSITY IT.pdf