In a joint position paper, the German Farmers' Association (DBV), the Federal Association of German Plant Breeders (BDP), the Protestant Church of Germany (EKD), the Catholic Rural People´s Movement, the Catholic Rural Youth of Germany (KLJB), the Federation of Organic Food Producers (BÖLW), the German Dairy Farmers' Association (BDM) and the organic producer, Bioland, are calling for significant restrictions in regard to patents on seeds.
As stated in the position paper, the signatories are calling for patents on plants obtained from conventional breeding (random mutagenesis) to be prohibited, as well as on plants obtained from new genetic engineering (NGTs) if their characteristics also occur in nature. In addition, they propose a general exclusion from patent law for breeding (breeders’ exemption), which would also apply if further patents are granted.
The joint position paper will shortly be introduced into ongoing EU negotiations on the future regulation of plants obtained from new genetic engineering (NGTs). It will essentially strengthen the position of the EU Parliament, which has already adopted similar positions.
No Patents on Seeds! supports the core demands of the position paper, but is not a signatory while arguing for further clarifications. However, the international alliance hopes that the position paper will help to ensure that patents on traditionally-bred plants will be banned without exception. Free access to naturally occurring diversity, which is also found in conventionally-bred varieties, is absolutely essential, especially in traditional breeding.
Contact
- Johanna Eckhardt, project coordination, No Patents on Seeds!, johanna.eckhardt@no-patents-on-seeds.org, + 43 680 2126 343
Further information
- The position paper (German):
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