Billion-dollar corporations are currently making hundreds of requests for direct access to the genetic material of our vegetables and other flora. Even our beer is being targeted.
Traits that occur in nature, such as resistance to disease, heat or pests, are specifically sought out on behalf of large corporations or are even accidentally found in plants. And these multi-billion dollar agro-conglomerates then apply for patents on these valuable traits. Thousands of such ‘discoveries’ and thousands of valuable properties become private property of individual corporations. Corporations win, breeders, farmers and all of us as consumers lose,” Arche Noah activist Axel Grunt puts his finger on the wound of “bleeding” plants and vegetables.
“New genetic engineering” undermines protections for conventional plants
Recent research by environmental activists has now even shown how the so-called ‘new genetic engineering’ is being misused to undermine the strict protection of conventionally bred plants against patents that previously existed. The method: Using the “CRISPR/Cas genetic scissors”, in many cases characteristics that occur in the existing food flora are “recreated” in order to give the impression of an invention. If these are granted under a corresponding patent, they often also extend to conventionally bred plants.
Companies collect exclusive rights to tomatoes and beer
Companies like BASF, Bayer, Carlsberg, Corteva, Heineken and Syngenta have already acquired exclusive rights to tomatoes, melons, lettuce, malting barley and beer. And they want more. “Field managers and breeders will soon no longer be able to decide freely on the diversity of species and varieties. “In addition, a whole range of foods and tastes are under threat,” warns Alexander Egit, head of Greenpeace Europe.
A decision on EU seed legislation will be taken soon
What adds to his and Grunt’s headaches in the name of small-scale domestic agriculture and, as a result, that of consumers: parallel to this major attack by the mega-conglomerates, a new seed law is currently being passed in the European Union.
Farmers and consumers’ rights are under threat
A double attack on our farmers and our food security! “We at Arche Noah here in Schiltern near Langenlois in the heart of Lower Austria demand that the diversity of cultivated plants should have the highest priority in the relevant EU laws. Farmers must retain the clear right to harvest, pass on, exchange and ultimately sell their valuable crop heritage.” Food, seeds and the rights of our farmers are therefore currently under threat!
“Preserve all the wonders of our mountain nature”
Alpine roses, orchids, silver moss, but also edelweiss and gentian line the paths of hiking guide Elmedina Hanak as she heads towards the sunrise from Wellness Hotel Katschberg. “The flora here on the Aineck, but also on the two peaks, the Kareck, is particularly vulnerable,” assures the top manager. Of course, their care also extends to the cultures in the valley of the border town of Salzburg-Carinthia, which – as reported – has long been causing a global stir as the world’s first official climate summit.
Mountain guide with a fiery message
“We store the rich variety of kitchen herbs such as hyssop, wormwood, dill, coriander, savory and fennel in vegetable crates made of mountain larch wood. These come out by the hundreds at a time,” assures mountain guide Elemedina. A fiery message from the eco-courageous woman: It is important to honor, preserve and use what nature gives us so abundantly. So that the sunrise does not become the divine twilight of humanity.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
