Many of you will be vaguely aware of new EU level legislation that is being pushed through regarding seed and plant reproductive material. This law will impact greatly on the rights of small scale producers and home gardeners, rendering heritage varieties illegal.
EU is preparing legislation that will make it illegal to grow crops that are not on a list of approved seeds. The allowed list is currently predominantly hybrids – which means that you can not take next year’s seed from the crop. Furthermore, not only will it be forbidden to sell other seeds than those already mentioned, but also to grow them.
Home gardeners and small scale producers will be the hardest hit, and the greatest beneficiaries will be the seed giants: Monsanto, AstraZeneca, Bayer and others.
It is difficult to fathom the amount of power these companies have, in persuading the EU government to pass a law that removes from the human the right to seed. Such a fundamental right… if they think criminalising this will keep us from our seed they have another thing coming.
We need to shout about this NOW. On December 4th the last modifications will be accepted for the bill, and in January the final bill will be voted on. SHOUT! NOW!
PLEASE email the South Wests MEP Julia Girling expressing your passion against this legislation.
linda@juliegirling.com
Subject: STOP EU Legislation on Plant Reproductive Material
Dear Julia Girling MEP,
Around 70% of the worlds food is currently produced by small scale producers and home gardeners, people who save their own seed and reproduce plants from cuttings. People who will effectively become criminals under this new legislation.
This legislation does not create a safer world. People are NOT currently in danger because people grow food from seed they save. This legislation does not benefit your constituency.
This legislation does benefit large corporate entities such as Monsanto, AstraZeneca, Bayer. These companies can afford to put their hybrids and GMO seed on the approved list. And these companies will be the people policing this law.
This legislation is clearly a crime against humanity.
We NEED to change this legislation. Make the approved plant list voluntary. This simple change will have the same benefit to large organisations wishing to ensure the quality of their seed, and will protect the rights of home gardeners and small scale producers.
As the voice of the people of the South West of England, please, do what is right.
Kind Regards,
[enter your name here]