Draft Regulations to implement the Arusha Protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants released by the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) are generating controversy for its inconsistency with the Arusha Protocol and its adverse impact on the sovereign rights of ARIPO members.
News
by Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA)
Representatives of 19 African countries who are members of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) will meet in Harare, Zimbabwe 14-17th June 2016, to adopt draft Regulations intended to implement the Arusha Protocol for the Protection of New Plant Varieties (Arusha Protocol).
by African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB)
Seed legislation is under review in Tanzania with a view to changing this in order to further expand the role of the private sector in the commercial seed sector. This law reform is mainly targeted at the seed marketing laws (Seed Act of 2003 and its regulations of 2007) and revision of its Plant Breeder’s Rights legislation.
More than 50 civil development, faith-based and sustainable agriculture organisations have written a letter to Members of the US Congress urging them to reject the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP).
Seed can be an important entry point for promoting productivity, nutrition and resilience among small- holder farmers. While investments have primarily focused on strengthening the formal sector, this article documents the degree to which the informal sector remains the core for seed acquisition, especially in Africa. Conclusions drawn from a uniquely comprehensive data set, 9660 observations across six countries and covering 40 crops, show that farmers access 90.2 % of their seed from
Allan Dawson from Manitoba Cooperator reports how private investigators in Canada are helping the seed trade enforce plant breeders’ rights. New plant breeder rules under UPOV ’91 in Canada give seed companies the option of tracking down those who infringe on those rights through the entire grain system.
News Ghana reports Food Sovereignty Ghana calling on its Parliament to completely withdraw the UPOV-compliant Plant Breeders' Bill and replace it with a "sui generis" plant variety protection (PVP) system suitable to Ghana’s conditions.
by Laurent Gaberell, Berne Declaration
On 28th February 2015, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela enacted a new seed law. The law was adopted by the National Assembly and is the result of several years of consultation within the country, with ample participation of peasant organizations and civil society organizations.
The new law includes a prohibition of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and any form of patents and plant breeders’ rights, as well as detailed provisions on support for peasants’ and farmers’ seed systems.
by Laurent Gaberell, Berne Declaration
An intergovernmental working group created by the Human Rights Council to develop a United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and other Peoples Working in Rural Areas is meeting May 17-20, 2016, in Geneva. The draft Declaration that is being discussed includes a right to seeds (article 22).
by FAO
The new Voluntary guide for national seed policy formulation is now available at the FAO Website in English, Spanish and French.