Protecting seeds as commons with an open-source license
OpenSourceSeeds (OSS) is a European initiative of the German Association for AgriCulture and Ecology (Agrecol), launched in April 2017. It pursues the objective to protect agricultural seeds as commons. It helps to establish a commons-based seed sector as a second pillar next to the private seed sector. The initiative has four core components: (1) licensing new varieties open-source and documenting them in a database; (ii) propagating and introducing OS seeds to the market; (iii) raising public awareness for seeds as a common good; and (iv) research and Development on new concepts to finance non-private (IPR-free) plant breeding. Currently, it has 9 new varieties/populations licensed open source (3 tomato varieties, 3 wheat varieties, 1 sweetcorn, 1 pepper and 1 potato variety). These OS varieties are listed in sales catalogues. Lessons learned include that plant breeders to use the license takes time, developing new financing concepts for plant breeding is a key issue for success, and the principle of seeds as commons is quite popular among consumers.
Most relevant categories | - Facilitation of farmers’ access to a diversity of PGRFA through community seed banks, seed networks and other measures improving farmers’ choices of a wider diversity of PGRFA.
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Also relevant categories | - Recognition of local and indigenous communities’, farmers’ contributions to conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, such as awards and recognition of custodian/guardian farmers
- Approaches to encourage income-generating activities to support farmers’ conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA
- Catalogues, registries and other forms of documentation of PGRFA and protection of traditional knowledge
- Legal measures for the implementation of Farmers’ Rights, such as legislative measures related to PGRFA.
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Institution/organization | Non Governmental Organization |
Provision of Art. 9 addressed | Art. 9.1; Art. 9.2a; Art. 9.3 |
Types | Technical |
Countries | Germany |
Regions | Europe |
Keywords | Biodiversity registries; Seed catalogues; Seed network; Seed system |
Resource link | https://www.fao.org/3/ca9319en/ca9319en.pdf |
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