Against the commercialization of seeds: sign the petition!!
05.12.13
We share Vandana Shiva's concerns on issues of seed freedom and food democracy. Below is the press release and the link to the petition:
CITIZENS' DECLARATION FOR SEED FREEDOM AND FOR FOOD DEMOCRACY, ON THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION'S PROPOSAL FOR A NEW SEED LAW
This is an urgent appeal to all Defenders of Food and Seed Democracy: On October 2, 2013, the European Seed Declaration was launched, asking citizens, wherever they are, to REJECT the NEW EUROPEAN LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL ON SEEDS.
We ask those who have not yet done so to sign the declaration:
Www.seedfreedom.eu
To all the ORGANIZATIONS involved in the battle to stop the seizure of farmers' rights and against the growing monopolization of our seeds and food, we invite you to join a platform to demand a radical change in European Seed Legislation to ensure the protection of farmers' right to preserve seeds, the defense of biodiversity and food democracy. The stakes are high - and our best card for changing things lies in uniting the requests of individuals and organizations, wherever they are, in a common forum addressed to the European Commission and to the legislators of the seed - to:
1) Ask the European government, and other national governments, to reject the European Commission's new proposal of European Seed Legislation.
2) Highlight the pressing demand of citizens around the world that the European Commission and other legislative political bodies, everywhere, cease to practice the violent logic of seed appropriation as a basic principle of seed legislation.
We therefore ask that every ORGANIZATION support this initiative, by sending your logo we can include you among the participating organizations. Links to your site will be created.
The legislative process in Brussels has already started. Timeliness is crucial.
Joining forces increases our capacity to act at EU level at key moments in the legislative process. In addition, the connection between participating organizations through special websites and social media, facilitates mobility and the exchange of information. You are invited to JOIN THE MOVEMENT and to SHARE widely and urgently.
To sign the declaration: www.seedfreedom.eu
To send your logo: info@navdanyainternational.it
WHAT IS AT STAKE:
Since industrialized agriculture established itself as a winning agricultural model, European legislation on seeds has become increasingly restrictive of farmers' rights and their free access to seeds. At the same time, it has increasingly allowed a handful of multinational industries to monopolize the market. These industries control three-quarters of the seeds traded and used by farmers. In the EU, only seeds that conform to the logic of the industrial model can be marketed. For this purpose, they must pass complicated and expensive tests and registration procedures, and their cultivation depends on chemical fertilizers. Over the years, EU legislation has dramatically reduced the diversity of seed varieties on the market, putting our food security at risk.
The European Commission's new proposal on seed regulation was presented in May and is currently going through the legislative process. Instead of improving it, the legislative discussions took a direction towards further restrictions and a worsening of the initial proposal. The EU's proposals undermine and jeopardize food and seed democracy. These measures would have the effect of:
- maintain control and exclusive rights over our seeds and our food in the hands of a few multinational companies
- increase the use of chemicals, pesticides, seeds and GMO foods in our food and seed systems
- expropriate even more farmers and gardeners of the natural right to preserve and develop seed diversity
- continue to dangerously reduce diversity in seeds, relying more and more on a few varieties, putting our food security at risk.
Navdanya International
Via de' Pucci, 4
50122 Florence
www.navdanyainternational.it
CITIZENS' DECLARATION FOR SEED FREEDOM AND FOR FOOD DEMOCRACY, ON THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION'S PROPOSAL FOR A NEW SEED LAW
This is an urgent appeal to all Defenders of Food and Seed Democracy: On October 2, 2013, the European Seed Declaration was launched, asking citizens, wherever they are, to REJECT the NEW EUROPEAN LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL ON SEEDS.
We ask those who have not yet done so to sign the declaration:
Www.seedfreedom.eu
To all the ORGANIZATIONS involved in the battle to stop the seizure of farmers' rights and against the growing monopolization of our seeds and food, we invite you to join a platform to demand a radical change in European Seed Legislation to ensure the protection of farmers' right to preserve seeds, the defense of biodiversity and food democracy. The stakes are high - and our best card for changing things lies in uniting the requests of individuals and organizations, wherever they are, in a common forum addressed to the European Commission and to the legislators of the seed - to:
1) Ask the European government, and other national governments, to reject the European Commission's new proposal of European Seed Legislation.
2) Highlight the pressing demand of citizens around the world that the European Commission and other legislative political bodies, everywhere, cease to practice the violent logic of seed appropriation as a basic principle of seed legislation.
We therefore ask that every ORGANIZATION support this initiative, by sending your logo we can include you among the participating organizations. Links to your site will be created.
The legislative process in Brussels has already started. Timeliness is crucial.
Joining forces increases our capacity to act at EU level at key moments in the legislative process. In addition, the connection between participating organizations through special websites and social media, facilitates mobility and the exchange of information. You are invited to JOIN THE MOVEMENT and to SHARE widely and urgently.
To sign the declaration: www.seedfreedom.eu
To send your logo: info@navdanyainternational.it
WHAT IS AT STAKE:
Since industrialized agriculture established itself as a winning agricultural model, European legislation on seeds has become increasingly restrictive of farmers' rights and their free access to seeds. At the same time, it has increasingly allowed a handful of multinational industries to monopolize the market. These industries control three-quarters of the seeds traded and used by farmers. In the EU, only seeds that conform to the logic of the industrial model can be marketed. For this purpose, they must pass complicated and expensive tests and registration procedures, and their cultivation depends on chemical fertilizers. Over the years, EU legislation has dramatically reduced the diversity of seed varieties on the market, putting our food security at risk.
The European Commission's new proposal on seed regulation was presented in May and is currently going through the legislative process. Instead of improving it, the legislative discussions took a direction towards further restrictions and a worsening of the initial proposal. The EU's proposals undermine and jeopardize food and seed democracy. These measures would have the effect of:
- maintain control and exclusive rights over our seeds and our food in the hands of a few multinational companies
- increase the use of chemicals, pesticides, seeds and GMO foods in our food and seed systems
- expropriate even more farmers and gardeners of the natural right to preserve and develop seed diversity
- continue to dangerously reduce diversity in seeds, relying more and more on a few varieties, putting our food security at risk.
Navdanya International
Via de' Pucci, 4
50122 Florence
www.navdanyainternational.it
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