- GRAIN found and shared a 1986 Canadian documentary that includes interviews with Erna Bennett.
- “Critical minds and ‘vegetal life’.” Plants and philosophy. Wacky, yes. But perhaps of interest.
- Are you near Port Townsend, WA? Go hear a lecture on “Farming with Nature: Agroecology for the Olympic Peninsula” on Monday at 7.30.
- While the EU potentially gives diversity a break, the US judge rejects organic suit against Monsanto.
- Open sesame (yeah, I know). Oxfam documents how best to use sesame to lift Ethiopians out of poverty.
- Nominate someone who has “made outstanding contributions for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity at global, regional or local levels” for the Midori Prize. We’re available.
- The Atlantic and NPR do the Svalbard thing. Gotta hand it to the Trust.
EU seed law may be declared illegal some time soon
Thanks to Patrick for alerting us to the English translation of the Opinion of Advocate General Kott in the matter of Case C-59/11 Association Kokopelli v Graines Baumaux SAS. It would repay unpacking by a legal expert, but in the meantime the conclusion looks pretty much cut and dried. At least for now.
125. In the light of the foregoing, I propose that the Court should rule as follows:
1. The prohibition on the sale of seed of varieties that are not demonstrably distinct, stable and sufficiently uniform and, where appropriate, of satisfactory value for cultivation and use, established in Article 3(1) of the Vegetable Seed Directive, is invalid as it infringes the principle of proportionality, the freedom to conduct a business within the meaning of Article 16 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, the free movement of goods established in Article 34 TFEU and the principle of equal treatment within the meaning of Article 20 of the Charter.
To summarise: “The prohibition … is invalid.” Although there’s probably more to it than that …
What makes a good country?
Is it not ironic that on the same day that Bill Gates suggests national targets and reports cards for agricultural productivity, boffins are decrying the use of unidimensional indicators of country-level success in another sphere? Report cards for agricultural sustainability, anyone? For levels of agricultural biodiversity in situ and ex situ?
Nibbles: Feeding the world edition
- BBC says we can feed the world through technology. And why not. The Times of India, meanwhile, didn’t get the memo.
- Bill Gates at the IFAD Governing Council will probably say the same thing today. And put his money where his mouth is.
- CIMMYT Director General said the same recently at an Economist conference. Funny how genebanks are rarely among the saviour technologies being touted.
- It’s all about the scaling up, isn’t it?
- Tell that to the Lake Chad fisherfolk who are now turning to farming.
- And, in another universe, sushi seeks protection.
- Buffel vs Rhodes in the Arabian peninsula.
Nibbles: Chinese agriculture, Domesticating trees, Greening economies, Genebanks, Millets
- Modern Chinese agronomist praises ancient Chinese agriculture, possibly gets in trouble.
- Domesticating trees is still the next big thing.
- Transform agriculture for a greener economy, says SciDev.net.
- VoA on genebanks, including Svalbard.
- Gerbil enthusiasts tackle millets. Yes, gerbils.