Good Food is First Food. It is not junk food. It is the food that connects nature and nutrition with livelihoods. This food is good for our health; it comes from the rich biodiversity of our regions; it provides employment to people. Most importantly, cooking and eating give us pleasure. …
This paper prepared for the FAO Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food & Agriculture fourth Governing Body, Bali, 14-18 March 2011 reviews the treaty provisions on farmers Rights. Focuses on the implementation of farmers' rights particularly in Peru, India and China, and research findings on how to effectively implement …
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)1 is one of the most important treaties in the history of humanity as it deals with the infinitely complex but fragile diversity of life on earth. Regulating access to genetic resources and equitable sharing of commercial benefits of biodiversity has been the most contentious …
In the season of scandals and wrongdoing, all other frauds have been overshadowed by the gargantuan 2G swindle because it has been accompanied by murky disclosures of how businessmen and politicians subverted every pillar of our democracy. Naturally, everything else pales in comparison. But there are more scary skeletons in …
Plant genetic resources (PGR) scientists now recognize the importance of shifting from a singular focus on conservation to a focus on both conservation and utilization of germplasm in order to meet future challenges. This paper analyzes the patterns of distribution of pearl millet, six small millets, chickpea and pigeonpea germplasm …
Limitations of the national law in remedying biopiracy led to the negotiations on an international regime in Access and Benefi Sharing. The deliberations were stuck for a long time due to the extreme divergent views of the developed countries on the one hand and of the biodiversity rich developing countries …
The adoption of Nagoya Protocol was a landmark event in the history of Convention on Biological Diversity. This article examines the promises and potentials of the Protocol for indigenous peoples and local communities in ight of previous experiences in Access and Benefit Sharing framework.
After ten years of difficult negotiations, parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity have agreed on a treaty aimed at helping countries that provide genetic resources capture a share of the benefits arising from their use.
After nearly two decades of negotiations between developing and developed countries, governments from across the world, including India, agreed to a UN treaty to manage and share the planet’s genetic resources and related traditional knowledge. The decision came on October 30, the last day of the two-week conference of parties …
LUCKNOW: The 'Ganga' aquarium at National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) would be open for public from Saturday. It was inaugurated by S Ayyappan, secretary, department of agriculture research and education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture, GoI, on Friday. The aquarium has 42 large aquaria containing around 100 fish species …
Lobbying, as we now know, sets the agenda for practically everything that governs our lives. No policy is ever made without someone seeking to gain from the most innocuous of programmes and projects. Take something as simple as inoculations. Governments cannot even take a decision on inoculating children against some …
The marine realm represents 70% of the surface of the biosphere and contains a rich variety of organisms, including more than 34 of the 36 living phyla, some of which are only found in the oceans. The number of marine species used by humans is growing at unprecedented rates, including …
Regulating access to genetic resources and equitable sharing of commercial benefits of biodiversity are among the most contentious issues under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The tenth Conference of Parties, scheduled October 18-29 in Japan, is expected to evolve an international regime on access and benefit sharing, also called …
The future of the world's biodiversity hangs in the balance as countries convene for crucial negotiations in Nagoya, Japan. The 193 signatory nations to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) pledged eight years ago to cut species loss "significantly" by this year. But studies show that the health of global …
In line with the request of the Twelfth Regular Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, this report follows the outline set out in the document Format and content of future status and trends reports on animal genetic resources. The analysis is based on FAO
In this interview on Radio DTE, Down to Earth Senior Editor Latha Jishnu speaks on biopiracy and explains how access and benefit sharing rules are affecting the world's genetic resources.
Ever heard of industry, and the developed world industry, mind you, saying that patents are not the best way of sharing knowledge? Well, here is what a spokesperson for the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) said in July. "Using IP (intellectual property) or the patent system to enforce compliance in the …
The introduction of genetic engineering (GE) in plant breeding has been accompanied by the expansion of patent monopolies. Companies have seized on the opportunity to extend the corporate control of agriculture through the patenting of seeds and plants. Increasing corporate control has meant the seed industry has been largely integrated …
