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Protecting Chile’s Future Protecting Chile’s Food. UPOV ’ 78 vs. UPOV ’ 91: Chile’s Critical Social Choice Rima E. Laibow, MD Presentation to the Chilean Agricultural Commission Natural Solutions Foundation An Independent International NGO. Farmers Protect Biodiversity.
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Protecting Chile’s FutureProtecting Chile’s Food UPOV ’78 vs. UPOV ’91: Chile’s Critical Social Choice Rima E. Laibow, MD Presentation to the Chilean Agricultural Commission Natural Solutions FoundationAn Independent International NGO
Farmers Protect Biodiversity “Biological diversity is essential and … of central importance for food security.” Food, Biological Diversity and Intellectual Property: The Role of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) – 2011 Report of QUNO (Quaker UN Office) Natural Solutions Foundation
Future Impact Is Enormous Law 19.342 Adopted UPOV ’78 (1994) Benefits BOTH Plant Breeders and Farmers BUT Convenio UPOV ’91 Damages Farmers, Benefits ONLY Plant Breeders Natural Solutions Foundation
Farmer Security = Food Security Community-based farming has high social value, helps prevent: • Single variety (mono crop) failures • Genetic erosion, loss of genetic diversity • Destabilization of social fabric • Disruption of food supply continuity Natural Solutions Foundation
Farmer Security = Food Security Community-based farming has high social value, helps prevent: • Loss of community, cultural stability • Monopolistic food practices • Centralized food control • Artificial food shortages Natural Solutions Foundation
UPOV ’78 vs. UPOV ’91 Natural Solutions Foundation
One Way Street: UPOV ’78 ’91 Chile Currently Accepts UPOV ’78 • Chile can retain UPOV ’78 ONLYIF’91 NOT adopted • If ’91 adopted, ’78 is NEVERan option again Natural Solutions Foundation
One Way Street: UPOV ’78 ’91 UPOV ’91 • Breeder can seize entire crop if he believes rights have not been paid by farmer • Breeder can force farmer to destroy crop, seed, implements at farmer’s own expense Natural Solutions Foundation
One Way Street: UPOV ’78 ’91 UPOV ’91 • Breeders may develop, market, sell commercial seed rights • Farmers must have license to use, propagate seeds Natural Solutions Foundation
One Way Street: UPOV ’78 ’91 UPOV ’78 • Breeders may develop, market, sell commercial seed rights • Farmer’s right to purchase, use, propagate (personal use) seeds is unrestricted Natural Solutions Foundation
UPOV ’78 Protects Diversity UPOV ’78 Breeders rights are protected • Develop seeds for commercial use • Patent new varieties Natural Solutions Foundation
UPOV ’78 Protects Diversity UPOV ’78 Farmers have permanent right to: • Save seeds for private use • Improve seed Natural Solutions Foundation
UPOV ’91 Threatens Diversity UPOV ’91 Without specific legal exemption, farmers may not: • Save seeds for private use • Improve seed Natural Solutions Foundation
UPOV ’91 Threatens Diversity UPOV ’91 Encourages • Legal assaults against farmers (per US experience) • Food insecurity Natural Solutions Foundation
UPOV ’78 vs. UPOV ’91 Breeder’s Rights Farmer’s Rights UPOV ’78 UPOV ’91 Natural Solutions Foundation
UPOV ’91 Threatens Food Security “UPOV… [’91 ] is out of step with societal concerns about long-term food security, protection of biological diversity, and farmers’ rights…” Food, Biological Diversity and Intellectual Property: The Role of the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) – 2011 Report of QUNO (Quaker UN Office) Natural Solutions Foundation
Chile’s Critical Social Choice Protect Breeder’s Rights UPOV ’91 OR Protect Farmer’s Rights UPOV ’78 Natural Solutions Foundation
Natural Solutions Foundation Natural Solutions Foundation Recommendations Continue UPOV ’78, reject UPOV ’91as Norway has done Protect Farmer’s Rights Protect and encourage small scale, natural and organic farming Natural Solutions Foundation
Natural Solutions Foundation Recommendations 4. Full examination by the following Agencies before Law No. 19.342 is considered for adoption: a. Environmental Commission b. Health Commission c. Human Rights Commission Natural Solutions Foundation
Natural Solutions Foundation “UPOV ’91 establishes corporate control and genetic uniformity, not natural diversity, promoting irreversible genetic erosion and contamination, concentration of economic power … Natural Solutions Foundation
Natural Solutions Foundation … and continuing violations of human rights at the expense of Chile’s farmers, food and security. Rejecting UPOV ’91 and maintaining UPOV ’78 offers Chile the only logical option to protect her future.” Rima E. Laibow, MD Natural Solutions Foundation
Thank You For Your Attention Rima E. Laibow, MD Medical Director Natural Solutions Foundation DrRima@GlobalHealthFreedom.org Natural Solutions Corporation Chile SPA +56 22 229-3317 Natural Solutions Foundation