Author Topic: EU proposes ban on traditional seed varieties in response to agri-lobby  (Read 19905 times)

daveylamp993

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I have just signed it
The BEST Organisation for Allotmenteers is theallotmentsandgardenscounciluk JOIN NOW,Much better and FAR Cheaper than N.S.A.L.G.

chriscross1966

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Surely a statement to the effect that it has been grown to produce both green and yellow pods for enhanced decorative effect will suffice, uniform doen't mean "all the same" it means "to the statement given as to how it grows".... you'd not be able to get Pink Fir Apple through any registration that "uniform" meant "predicatable".....

sparrow

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This is an email reply from RealSeeds, posted on another forum this morning:

Re. the seed laws, we'll update information on our website tonight, but the current situation this afternoon is that - as of the draft with the Council now - seed swaps have definitely been exempted, and there are more exemptions for small scale production for 'niche markets'.    We do need to remain vigilant - the law is still in no ways ideal - and it may change again as it progresses through the system, but right now  it is no-where near as bad as it was!

You can find updates on:  http://www.realseeds.co.uk/seedlaw.html, but as I say, things have moved on from this morning's press release, due entirely to the fantastic lobbying efforts of thousands of gardeners across the EU


So not all good, not all bad....

Jayb

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Thanks for the update, fingers crossed.
Seed Circle site http://seedsaverscircle.org/
My Blog, Mostly Tomato Mania http://mostlytomatomania.blogspot.co.uk/

goodlife

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Quote
So not all good, not all bad....
Umm..yes..the turn out is not 'that bad'...but it could have been bit better to able make me feel relieved.
Looks like we still have more to 'fight' and make noises about to make the law bit more 'rounded' for everybody's benefit.

galina

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Surely a statement to the effect that it has been grown to produce both green and yellow pods for enhanced decorative effect will suffice, uniform doen't mean "all the same" it means "to the statement given as to how it grows".... you'd not be able to get Pink Fir Apple through any registration that "uniform" meant "predicatable".....
I agree it could be done - if only you'd do the classifications  :wave:
It is looking a lot better thanks to all the campaigning, but we have to see the colour of their ink yet - still a long time to go until this is finally new law and a lot could still change.

ajb

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from the Soil association:

"The Soil Association welcomes the last minute revisions made to the EU regulation on the marketing of plant reproductive material, as a result of the huge public outcry across Europe. This means that micro businesses and amateur growers are exempt from the regulation. However, there is concern that the EU Directorate could rescind the exemptions without going back for a vote and there are still some major barriers to farmer and grower variety choice in the legislation. It is great that microbusinesses will benefit from the exemption, but they do not have the resources of larger businesses to invest in innovative breeding programmes, which are needed for future resilience to climate change."

Changing legislation back without even having to discuss it?! Outrageous.  There's an open letter that you can sign requesting the law be changed (English translation): http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fseedpolicy.arche-noah.at%2Fen%2Feu-seed-law%2Ftake-action%2Funterschreiben

Or if you're feeling more militant about it .... : http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/We_Will_Not_Comply/?wCgoWbb
« Last Edit: May 18, 2013, 10:31:54 by ajb »
No fruit tree knowingly left un-tried. http://abseeds.blogspot.com/

Jayb

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Oops, blonde moment, it seems I've already signed as email is registered.
I think it is just so scary they can simply revoke it.
Seed Circle site http://seedsaverscircle.org/
My Blog, Mostly Tomato Mania http://mostlytomatomania.blogspot.co.uk/

BritBrat

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This will make the vote on leaving the EU a certainty, and a total breakup of our financial economy.

Are they prepared for that?

Digeroo

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It is great that pressure has modified things, but rather worrying it could just slip back.

Good that micro businesses are exempt though not clear how small that means.

 

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