DIVERSIFOOD Booklet #5
This DIVERSIFOOD booklet presents policy recommendations to integrate the biodiversity of cultivated plants into food value chains. Based on multi-actor research and project results, it argues for legal and policy changes at EU and national levels to enable use and marketing of heterogeneous seed materials (including populations, landraces and participatory-bred varieties), to adapt seed marketing rules and variety registration, and to recognise farmers’ rights. It calls for coherent policy across the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP/GAP), the EU organic regulation and seed law, including support for on-farm diversity, participatory plant breeding, community seed banks and targeted research funding. The booklet also recommends measures to raise awareness among producers, processors and consumers, to develop regional value chains for biodiverse products, and to promote multi-actor, inter- and transdisciplinary research approaches and education to build skills for diversified, resilient food systems.
Key topics: seed law, heterogeneous material, agrobiodiversity, GAP, EU organic regulation, participatory plant breeding, community seed banks
