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A Seed for Change

Starting with the economic crisis of 2007-2008, Alex Ikonomidis wrote, produced, directed, shot and edited the film A Seed for Change. In total the film represents 7 years of work. It’s a very good representation of the seed movement of the time, with it’s passions and motivations. It includes interviews with some of Europe’s most important figures.

Alex has now released the film for everyone to view. On his website linked to above is the film with subtitles in 4 different languages; Greek, English, French and Arabic.

I hope readers of this blog will consider making a donation on his website.

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Changes Underway with Dutch Farming

There have been some announcements over the last few months regarding changes to Dutch agriculture. These are not only important to people living in the Netherlands, but all over the world, since The Netherlands is the second largest agricultural exporter by value in the world, after the United States.

The goals of these changes have partly been to transition for agriculture based on as high production as possible, to more sustainable methods with fewer greenhouse gas emissions and less impact on the environment. The need to increase farmers’ income is also being addressed.

The politics of these types of changes is they often start in The Netherlands, then get adapted into EU legislation. After this, they often require countries exporting to the EU to comply with the same regulations, so the changes propagate around the world via EU trade agreements. On the surface these changes seem very positive, so this might be a very good thing.

Environmental Changes

Money is being made available to farmers who work in sensitive areas to take care of their own environments. Money is also being made available to experiment with more sustainable methods. In addition, the number of pigs in the country is being reduced.

More Money for Farmers

Of course the emphasis on farmers earning more money is being placed on consumers being willing to pay more. This is of course true, but there are many other aspects. In addition to possible higher prices for consumers:

  • There should be reasonable direct subsidies available to farmers paid for by higher taxes on wealthy individuals.
  • Subsidies for wealthier farmers should be capped.
  • There should be fewer taxes on the consumer.
  • Farmers should have complete sovereignty over their seeds. They should have no administrative burden. They should be free to choose any seeds they want. Unless they purchase commercial seeds and come to an agreement with the breeder or seller, there should be no royalty payments or restriction on their use, including saving, breeding and regrowing the seed.
  • Farmers should be free from unreasonable regulations and inspections.
  • Farmers should provide more quality, artisan made products, with a high regard for nature and biodiversity.
  • There should be more opportunities for the consumer to purchase directly from the farmer, or through less formal channels like street markets.
  • There should be more emphasis on local, regional and seasonal products.

If we have these things, I think many consumers would consider paying more for what they buy.

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A Seed for Change

In the wake of the 2008 worldwide economic crisis, filmmaker Alexandros Ikonomidis watches his optimism and income fade away as he comes to the realization that he is unable to sustain himself anymore. Overwhelmed with worry about things he used to take for granted, like the shrinking size of his grocery list, he spends most of his time sitting in isolation to avoid spending any money at all.

After extensive research, he is convinced that growing his own food, without the need of a financial income, is the key to a viable solution for the global depression that was detracting from the modern lifestyle – everything linked back to agricultural seeds.

As seeds have become patented, genetically locked, and in the hands of very few private companies, Ikonomidis embarks on a journey to look for lost reproducible seeds and the know-how for growing his own food for free—a simple individualistic solution that soon proved to be a very complex global problem.

Directed by Alexandros Ikonomidis
Produced by Alexandros Ikonomidis
Written by Alexandros Ikonomidis
Country – Greece
75 mins.
Subtitled

http://schedule.sbiff.org/films-events/2016475046

Independent Greek film maker Alex Ikonomidis sent me an email about a screening for his new film A Seed for Change. I have posted about this before. As far as I know, the film can only be seen if you’re lucky enough to live near one of the screenings. If you live in southern California you can see it at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on the 5th and 6th of February. The Facebook event is here. Also his Facebook page has more information.

I haven’t actually seen the film, and so can’t vouch for the contents. If any readers of this blog get a chance to see it, I hope you’ll report back here and let us all know what you think.

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Demands by Indian Farmers

I was in India recently on holiday and happened to read in a newspaper about demands being made by Indian farmers to their government:

1. The right to be free from debt
2. Because now many of their products are sold below the cost of production, they would like the government to establish the cost of production for all commercial crops, then establish a minimum sale price of 150% of this cost.

Obviously there are details to be worked out, but it makes you wonder why the world has such a hard time agreeing to demands like these that seem so reasonable.

Surely there’s some room for compromise here?

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Why I’m Against the Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI)

The OSSI is a mechanism to facilitate the privatization of the world’s agricultural biodiversity.  It’s no different from what the US Seed Savers Exchange and similar organizations have become.  It’s a tool of the wealthy and powerful families who use it as a way to promote division in those who work with biodiversity, and then to spread fake news to replace reality.  It’s an extension of the vision some social studies academics have, and it’s purpose is a place for us to occupy in the future they’ve designed for us.

In the US OSSI takes the form of a fairly innocent pledge, but elsewhere in the world it’s a legally binding contract with wide ranging consequences.

Nothing to do with Open Source

As someone who has a number of years experience working with Open Source software, let me be clear that OSSI is something completely different.

First of all there is no source with open source seeds.  This is a really important difference.  Seeds are not software.

Open source software can be modified and sold, and the programmer can retain the rights over their own enhancements.  The legally binding version of OSSI in Europe is all encompassing, and also applies to all enhancements or future developments.  Any plant breeder who works with OSSI material looses rights of control over their own material.

Open source software is available to anyone, even those to don’t agree with or accept the licensing terms.  OSSI seeds cannot be legally transfered without a binding contract, and those who do not accept the contract may not legally use the seeds.

Open source software exists in an environment where downloads are always free over the Internet.  This is not the case with seeds, which require physical ownership, and are not always free.  This means not everyone necessarily has access to the material for a reasonable price.

The philosophy of Open Source software concerns what you are allowed to do.  Pretty much the only thing you aren’t allowed to do is claim ownership over it.  The philosophy behind the legally binding OSSI is that you must share it, and don’t have the right to keep it privately in your own garden if you choose.  This is perverted and wrong.

The Real Purpose of OSSI

The worlds genetic resources are being privatized, with some falling into private hands.  This can create a situation where some of it is not usable, or possibly not usable by everyone.  For example, maybe a plant breeder has discovered a gene that no one else has, and decides to only let a small number of farmers grow it.  Suddenly this could be a major marketing advantage compared to a company like Monsanto-Bayer.  The purpose of OSSI is to legally require all genetic material be available to the larger agricultural companies.

Under the terms of the CBD and the Nagoya Protocol, genetic material generally has to be transfered from one party to another by means of a legally binding contract.  Unless you have access to fairly extensive legal advice, developing these contracts is beyond the means of most people.  In addition, maintaining the administration and business aspects is generally beyond the means of a single farmer or plant breeder, and mostly has to be done within organizations and cooperatives.

For many people, legally speaking, the best option is to simply collect biodiversity and not share it with anyone, barring a few exceptions.  OSSI undermines this option.

The Social Studies Angle

It seems strange this issue would come down to social studies academics.  Most of us have no contact with this discipline.  Most of us were unaware while they were busy writing and implementing the CBD, and it’s now been adopted by almost every country on the planet.

Jack Kloppenburg, the founder of OSSI, has a sociology background which is part of social studies.

I don’t think the world or the seed movement needs our future planned and laid out by any one or any group.  I don’t think many people would willingly participate.

What Can We Do?

This isn’t an easy question to answer.  Certainly some of us are employed by OSSI or other social studies initiatives.  Everyone needs an income to survive.

Starting an independent initiative is increasingly difficult.  It’s not possible to start something like the Seed Savers Exchange Kent Whealy and his wife Diane did in their living room in 1975.  You are immediately up against a great deal of money and people who want to maintain control over the situation.  The reality is we need to get used to doing our own thing, under the radar of these organizations.

Certainly an important part of working with biodiversity is being very careful about accepting (shrink-wrapped) contracts and terms and conditions with seeds.  These are becoming increasingly important.

I think this is going to be a topic of discussion for a long time.  I welcome any comments anyone has, either as a public comment here or privately via the contact link on this blog.