India’s Financial Express has a piece describing some of the recent history of Basmati rice. I guess it’s a fairly familiar story, but a couple of things stood out for me as I read it. One was that India and Pakistan “are planning to jointly claim rights for geographical indications (GIs) for this aromatic long grain rice.” Another was that the “European Union … is in favour of duty derogation for import of Basmati having pure parental lines.” So not landraces, just newly bred Basmati varieties? Finally, I found the link between Basmati and organic agriculture intriguing.
Starbucks vs Ethiopia: a draw, for now
BBC News is reporting that coffee giant Starbucks has settled its dispute with the Ethiopian government over trademarks on coffee varieties. There is no direct benefit to growers in Ethiopia but the BBC says “it is hoped the deal will act as a catalyst to raise prices and improve the livelihoods of Ethiopian farmers”. It will take some time for the dust to settle and for the ramifications of the deal to become clear, but for now this looks like a reeasonably good outcome for all concerned.
Marine genetic resources
Aside from the really lame joke — and she really should know better — Kathryn Garforth Mitchell has a good post on a marine genetic resources meeting.
Namibia examines Access and Benefit Sharing
A meeting in Windhoek, Namibia, is bringing together private sector and government in an effort to develop legislation and practices governing biotrade and bioprospecting, according to an article in allAfrica.com. Namibia is currently drafting a bill on Access to Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge.
According to the report, the private sector is unwilling to stand up and announce a clear approach to ABS.
“They are averse to any negative publicity and believe that prior to any such event it is essential for them to have a clear position and approach to benefit sharing, and for many this is still work in progress,” said Jonathan Laundrey, New Business Manager of Phyto Trade Africa.
The focus on medicinal products, where “benefits” can indeed be very large, is not surprising as Namibia is the primary source of Devil’s Claw, Harpagophytum procumbens, a therapy for inflammation — notably arthritis — and other ailments. The value of exports is estimated at N$10 million a year. That’s “only” US $140,000, but in a country where more than a third of the people live on less than a dollar a day, a bigger share would probably help. An old press release from WHO suggests that organic, sustainable Devil’s Claw is the way forward, but enforcing that requires more than a bill on ABS.
Later … I’ve done a little more digging, and discovered a study published at the end of 2006 that has this to say on the value of Devil’s Claw:
In answer to the question of whether Devil’s Claw is fairly traded analysis of the value chain indicated that harvesters receive only 1.1% of the final consumer price of the active ingredient of Devil’s Claw. Of the final shelfÂvalue, only 7% is retained within the range states, a disappointingly low figure.
Indonesia disrupts WHO system
IPR concerns threaten ‘flu vaccine system as countries seek payment for sharing viruses.