28. 10. 2013, 0:53
Dear Signatories of our petition „Seed diversity under threat – No European seed regulations for the benefit of the seed industry“
With some 9,500 signatures at the end of the subscription period the petition has had a good response. Thanks to all who signed! The maximum period of six months is prescribed by the platform "openPetition" and can not be extended. We also thank openPetition for providing the platform!
What is next ?
The petition will be handed over during the course of the legislative process in Brussels. When there will be the right time for this, depends on further course.
So far, the rapporteur for seed legislation was set in the lead Agricultural Committee of the EU Parliament ( Sergio Silvestris of the Italian PdL , a member of the EPP Group ) . He will formulate the report of the Committee on the proposed legislation to the House of Parliament. There are also so-called shadow -rapporteurs of the other groups. A first debate on the bill has taken place on 30.9., here's a look back: www.seed-sovereignty.org/PDF/MEPs_criticize_proposed_new_EU_seed_law.pdf . From the other groups came requests and criticism of the Commission proposal. In the end it will be important that the members of the EPP Group follow their conscience in the seed question and vividly interfere in the debate - and not bow to the party discipline, assumed to be set by Albert DESS from Bavaria.
The next steps are now: the second debate in the Agriculture Committee on 11/25-26/2013 and the submission of amendments until 12/04/2013. After this date these amendments will be debated and voted. The first debate in the House of Parliament is scheduled for mid April 2014.
Besides this a working group of the Council of the EU currently meets on a monthly basis. There the member governments are represented, and they are preparing their position. If the results of the Parliament and Council are be different, a so-called "trialogue " between the EU Commission , Parliament and Council will be held.
What can I do myself more ?
a) Inform yourself and others ! Watch and screen our doku "Resilient Seed" www.youtube.com/watch?v=unsC2SGdMBU . Pass this info on, read and distribute our brochure "Resilient Seed" www.saatgutkampagne.org/PDF/Resilient_Seed_EN_web.pdf
b ) Discuss in local groups on the subject. And for some more days the petition can be signed at www.openpetition.de/petition/online/amenaza-a-la-diversidad-de-semillas-no-a-las-normas-europeas-en-beneficio-de-la-industria-semillera#googtrans(de%7Ces)
c ) enter into conversation with the EU parliamentarians: Write to MPs to which you have a geographic proximity www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/agri/members.html#menuzone . Describe why the diversity of seeds and farmers seeds is important to you and what you require for the new seed legislation. Refer to the „joint statement on the proposal on legislation about plant reproductive material“, www.seed-sovereignty.org/PDF/joint_statement_seed_legislation_2013-06-12_web.pdf If you inform us of reactions, we can go into it.
d) Begin by yourself to save seeds! Attend or organize seed-swaps - a great way to get in contact with like-minded people! Seed swaps are preferable from February to April.
e) visit www.seed-sovereignty.org We try to keep you informed!
Best regards
Andreas Riekeberg
Campaign for Seed-Sovereignty
www.seed-sovereignty.org