Transferring bulk seeds into the seeding equipment. Farmers worry that new International trade deals (CETA) and Canadian law (C-18 re UPOV-91) will give giant multinationals far greater control over seeds in addtion to greater costs.
Photo Credit: Boehm- supplied

Trade deals and plant breeder’s rights: “It’s a huge failure of our democracies…”

Those are the words of Terry Boehm speaking about international trade deals being negotiated behind closed doors.  He is especially concerned about certain international trade deals affecting farmers access to seed, and ultimately how that will affect consumers. He is currently Chairman of the National Farmers Union, Seed and Trade Committee, and a past president of the organization.

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The NFU is opposed to aspects of the Canadian legislation bill C-18 to enshrine an international law on plant breeders rights called UPOV-91.  “Plant breeders” are mostly huge multinationals like Monsanto, BASF, and Syngenta.

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Saskatchewan farmer Terry Boehm-2014- He says the trade deals being negotiated give multinationals immense copyright power over seeds, and ultimately over the world’s food supply. He says CETA and UPOV deals oblige the courts to punish alleged infringement of copyright before a court even hears the case. © supplied

“These multinationals seek to control seed and ultimately when you control seed, you control the food system.” (Boehm)

“…ultimately when you control seed, you control the food system”

 The NFU says UPOV-91 and aspects of another deal called the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) give enormous control of seeds to these multinationals, along with power of severe penalties.  Boehm says the new laws will eventually limit farmer’s access to seed forcing them to buy more and more seed from the giant multinationals,  and control and limit the varieties available.  The legislation and resultant control concerns not just grains but all seeds from apples to zucchini.

Boehm says, “These multinationals seek to control seed and ultimately when you control seed, you control the food system.”  He adds, “ I don’t think we should trust them with that kind of control of our food system.”

Boehm points out that the eons old practice of saving seeds from one year’s crop to plant next year, is now threatened by this proposed legislation.

“It’s a huge problem for democracy in Canada and beyond, where governments have concluded that rather than negotiating these sort of mechanisms and trade deals in the public sphere, they somehow have to undertake to negotiate in secret.” Boehm

In addition he says, the deals would oblige the courts to seize property upon an allegation of copyright infringement.  These is tantamount to a guilty verdict before any trial has taken place, and ultimately prevents the possibility of anyone accused of infringement from fighting the case as all their property and bank accounts have been seized and frozen.

He also points out that even if a future government decides to abrogate or otherwise opt-out, the deals contain so-called “zombie clauses” which even upon of an opt-out position, the clauses would remain in force for up to 15 years in some cases.

Boehm says these deals are extremely wide ranging, and although the NFU is immediately concerned with aspects regarding farming, the deals will affect everyone in some way.

The Canadian government had hope to pass Bill C-18 by August 1. As Parliament recessed for the summer, the discussions will resume in the fall when Parliament re-convenes. CETA negotiations are ongoing, but nearing final stages.

National Farmers Union

Union for the Protection of new Varieties (UPOV)

CETA-Government of Canada

CETA- Council of Canadians view

CETA- wikipaedia

Via Campesina- UPOV (pdf)  

David Springbett- Asterisk Productions- Hijacked Future

 

 

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