Colourful variety not standardized uniformity!

Save our Seeds, Arche Noah and Campact have today launched a petition on the upcoming new EU regulation of seed marketing. The new regulation will de facto ban old and rare varieties and farmers varieties and threaten the exchange and selling of seeds of diversity.

The current draft regulation was written by DG SANCO. Before it becomes an official proposal of the EU-Commission, DG AGRI (Directorate General of Agriculture and Rural Development) and the DG ENVI (Directorate General for the Environment) have to agree to it‘s contents. At the moment there are several points of disagreement. The regulation will not be passed if 14 Commissioners vote against (ie no majority is reached). Each country of the EU has one commissioner in Brussels. The commissioners of DG AGRI and DG ENVI should vote against, so we need 12 more. Find the list of commissioners here:

http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/index_en.htm

The petition is demanding that proposed EU seed legislation must allow more diversity in our fields and on our plates, rather than destroying it. Traditional and local varieties must remain exempt from licensing or certification requirements. Strict rules, controls, inspections and costly permits should only apply to seeds and seed materials which are traded commercially, in large quantities. The free exchange of seeds and seedlings between farmers, gardeners and seed initiatives must be guaranteed and supported.

Only by growing a wide selection of fruits, vegetables and grains, can we ensure that our agriculture adapts to climate change, new diseases and pests. We want colorful variety not standardized uniformity!

SIGN IT HERE TODAY!