Research

Ten proposals to support agricultural biodiversity in Europe

Date: 24 November 2009

Link on-farm practices and management with the development of local markets.
Facilitate networking and exchange of information between different NGOs and farmers. A special emphasis is needed amongst the emerging NGOs in Eastern Europe.
Increase capacity amongst NGOs and farmers’ associations to exchange information and use participatory methodologies from successful experiences of on-farm management. Support for short exchange visits for training in gene banks to improve skills in all aspects of plant genetic resources as required.
Further efforts from the formal sector to provide technical and more practical information, including accession data.
Gene backs should implement Material Transfer Agreements preventing ownership claims or any form of intellectual property rights over genetic materials.
Guarantee ample participation is development of regulations related to registration, production and commercialisation of local and traditional varieties.
Increase the active involvement, not only of NGOs, but also of farmers and gardeners in the implementation of the Global Plan of Action agreed upon in Leipzig.
Establish a European network to monitor the impact of intellectual property , the concentration of power in agriculture, and genetic engineering. On biodiversity in Europe.
Support the campaign to reform the CAP launched by the CPE (Coordination Paysanne Europee) to support small farmers both in the North and in the South.
Ratification of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.