Brussels, 19/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - A petition with more than 58,000 signatures was handed over at the European Parliament on Monday 18 April after a demonstration in Brussels to protest against the European Commission's alleged intention to give multinational companies a monopoly on seeds.
A multi-coloured procession of some 100 demonstrators, some disguised as bees and others as horticulturalists, paraded outside the European Parliament carrying placards which read “Free our seeds”.
The petition against plant patents, stating that seeds must “remain a common heritage”, was handed over to European Parliament Vice-President Isabelle Durant (Greens/EFA, Belgium).
European rules are due to be revised in 2012. The Commission is thought to be going to propose a “European seed law” to replace and simplify about a dozen texts. The demonstrators fear that commercialisation of the seeds not referenced in multinationals' catalogues will be banned. Durant stated that it is “essential that farmers have the opportunity to propagate and trade local seeds and that this be defended and maintained at European level”. Local seeds are better adapted to local conditions and maintain a biodiversity of crops. At the same time, farmers and research centres must work together and collaborative efforts must be developed. Durant added: “European rules, which are to be revised in 2012, must not under any circumstances be tailored so that a few multinationals become the sole holders of seed varieties, leading to such concentration that farmers and small producers will be unable to make their own choices, both in Europe and in the countries of the South”. (L.C./transl.rt)