Help protect small family farmers' worldwide right to use seeds

Without small family farmers who perform the labour-intensive task of preserving seeds, biodiversity and the future of food is threatened.

Multinational seed companies are gradually replacing the immense diversity of farmer seeds by industrial varieties, are obtaining an increasing number of patents on different seeds, and are threatening the ability of small family farmers to produce the food required to feed their families and their communities.

Because of the ratification by a number of countries of the latest version of the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, known as UPOV’91, these ancestral rights, which consisted of preserving, using and exchanging farmer seeds, have become in some cases illegal acts, which are punishable by law.

Signatures:

Sign the Development and Peace petition calling on the Canadian government to ensure that the right of family farmers to use seeds is respected!

Message:

I ask that the Government of Canada and the House of Commons commit to:

• Adopt international aid policies that support small family farmers, especially women, and recognize their vital role in the struggle against hunger and poverty.

• Ensure that Canadian policies and programs are developed in consultation with small family farmers, and that they protect the rights of small family farmers in the Global South to preserve, use and freely exchange seeds.

Fill in the form below and then click the Submit button to add your name to the petition.

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

City

Province

Postal Code *

E-newsletter

I would like to receive news from Development and Peace by e-mail.

Preferred Language

Search form

Help protect small family farmers' worldwide right to use seeds