유럽연합의 종자법과 싸우다

The new EU Seed Directive could lead to a loss of biodiversity and a threat to small and medium scale producers - meaning more consolidation of the global seed market in the hands of just three corporations. Write to MEPs to express your concern with this directive.

On 6 May 2013 the European Commission released a draft proposal for a new set of laws controlling the sale and supply of seeds. The draft regulation is intended to make the regulations more efficient and increase biodiversity. However we think they will do the opposite - the new laws will drive small and medium sized seed suppliers out of the market, reduce the range of seed varieties available to amateur and professional growers alike, and consolidate the control and supply of seeds in the hands of a few large companies. For more information please see Ben Raskin's blogs Using a Chainsaw to Crack a Nut and Using a Chainsaw to Crack a Nut - part 2.

Take action - write to MEPs

There is still time for MEPs to table amendments to this proposed law, but the deadline is 4 December - so we need to act fast. If you want to express your concerns, we've selected four MEPs who can exert influence on this law. Please send them an email - we've included some points you might like to make. Please include the issues that are important to you.

• Pilar Ayuso, Rapporteur for Environment Committee -pilar.ayuso@europarl.europa.eu
• George Lyon, Member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development - george.lyon@europarl.europa.eu
• Julie Girling, Member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development - julie.girling@europarl.europa.eu
• Sergio Silvestris, Member of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development - sergio.silvestris@europarl.europa.eu

Issues you can highlight

Please use any of the points below in your email, we also encourage the use of any of the case studies as this provides a bit more perspective to the MEPs.

• The cost of registration means small and medium sized producers won't register as many new varieties, reducing the number of open pollinated varieties available, resulting in a loss of biodiversity.
   
• The proposed law is anti-competitive, new regulations mean that importing plant material into the EU is much more difficult.
   
• 53% of the global seed market is controlled by three companies. With the proposed new law putting threat on small and medium scale seed producers we are likely to see a larger share of the market go to these three companies. By putting more trust into fewer companies we are reducing our food security.

Specific amendments we'd like to see

• The legislation should only apply to major food crops and the agricultural market. The activities of gardeners, those in amenity horticulture, small commercial growers, those in wildlife conservation, small holders and allotment growers should be exempt from the proposed law. 
   
• Living seed banks as well as statutory seed banks need to be exempt from the law. Seed banks like the Heritage Seed Library need to be able to allow heritage plant varieties to adapt to changes in climate and disease over time.
   
• Open pollinated varieties should be exempt from registration as they are a niche market variety but not all varieties will be covered by the niche market definition. The exemption for open pollinated varieties would enhance biodiversity and food security. The current proposal for exemptions is for varieties of limited commercial value that are of 'local' interest. Although this is not clearly defined the scope appears to be too narrow to benefit most small seed producers.