This policy brief (also available in Spanish) shows how UPOV, with the support of some of its Member States, is fighting against farmers’ rights to seed worldwide.
UPOV does this mainly through pressure, misleading information, and biased advice in the development of national legislation. It
is supported by individual Member States, which drive countries of the South into its arms through free trade agreements and development cooperation. The World Bank and WIPO also push countries towards UPOV.
UPOV has never taken farmers’ rights and needs seriously. It is,
therefore, not surprising that UPOV represents the interests of seed companies and of the countries where these companies are based.
A framework like UPOV 91, which was negotiated over 30 years ago by a few industrialised countries and is at odds with recent developments on farmers’ rights and the protection of agrobiodiversity should not be imposed on other countries. We must rather strengthen farmers’ rights to overcome the global food and biodiversity crisis.