The November 2011 edition of AEFJN's Forum for Action is now online. It contains articles on the ethical responsibility of the Church on the climate issue, on the clean up of the Ogoniland oil spills, which will take decades, on the spread of Libyan arms in the Sahel, on the production of medicines in Africa and on the EU's attempt to force African countries to sign EPAs.
The national election campaign officially started the 28th October in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), exactly one month ahead of historic presidential and legislative elections, scheduled for November 28 2011. 41 humanitarian and human rights organizations, among them AEFJN, have expressed concern about the high political tension and deteriorating security situation. They have called upon all Congolese and international actors involved to take urgent measures to prevent electoral violence, better protect civilians and ensure credible, free and fair elections.Global consultation on Farmers'Rights
What’s the stake?
The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) signed in 2005 recognized the rights of farmers to save, sow, exchange and sell seeds, but subject to national laws. However these rights under the responsibility of States are not yet implemented. A citizen's campaign is now essential for the recognition of these rights.
Global consultations are now being carried out on Farmers' Rights as addressed in Article 9 of the ITPGRFA by e-mail: http://www.farmersrights.org
English: http://www.farmersrights.org/about/fr_in_itpgrfa_7.html
Français: http://www.farmersrights.org/FR/concernant_traite4.html
Spanish: http://www.farmersrights.org/ES/acerca_tratado4.html
Seeds & Farmers ?
The seeds are the basis of many food crops. The access to quality seeds, well adapted to local conditions, at affordable price and the protection of biodiversity are two crucial points for farmers. But free access is threatened by intellectual property rights at the global level, at the request of developed countries and for the benefit of companies from these countries. The southern countries have denounced the abuses of the seed industry. They claim for the conservation of biological diversity and for the recognition and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.