Seeds are at the beginning of all farming and GMO free regions depend on the avialability of GMO free seeds. This is not only true for commercially traded seeds but also for farm-saved seeds and non-commercial or semi-commercial seed conservation. GMO contamination would have massive impacts at any of these levels and already the necessary control and prevention of such contamination could massively restrict the free exchange and use of seeds. Seed purity regulations are still pending in the EU. There are also national and regional laws on seed, which do have a substantial impact on the future of our seeds.
Speakers
- Benedikt Haerlin, Foundation on Future Farming – Germany
- Christian Schlatter, Research Institute of organic farming – Switzerland
Presentations
- Benedikt Haerlin: Coexistence and the planned EU GMO seeds directive
- Christian Schlatter: Seeds and co-existence, a Swiss and organic perspective
Background Papers
Austrian Farmers Organisation to EU Commission on GE Seed Contamination
Genewatch Briefing (2004) an overview in co-existence issues “The need for contamination and liability rules”
Various Danish and European Institutes and DK Ministry for Agriculture (November 2003)
First European Conference on Co-existence of Geneticall Modified Crops with Conventional and Organic Crops
Tuscan law on the Protection and Enhancement of Local Breeds and Varieties of Interest to Farming, Animal Husbandry and Forestry
Greenpeace paper on the Austrian ‘Seed Purity Requirements’
“Save our Seeds” Memorandum regarding the planned EU directive on seed contamination
“Save our Seeds” Ten arguments against GMO contamination of seeds
“Save our Seeds” homepage with all background on EU seed legislation
