The
Governments of Indonesia and Norway with assistance from the Secretariat
of the International Treaty held Global Consultation on Farmer Rights
in Bali from 27th – 30th September 2016.
The
Consultation was co-chaired by Dr. Regine Andersen from Norway and
Dr. Carlos Correa from Argentina.
On behalf of the Organizers, the Co-Chairs proposed summary of recommendations
to the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic
Resources for Food and Agriculture is attached below.
The
Full Report of the Global Consultation will also be available soon.
With
Regards
Sangeeta Shashikant
Third World Network
Global
Consultation on Farmers’ Rights, Bali Indonesia 27–30 September 2016
Co-chairs'
summary of recommendations to the Governing Body of theInternational
Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Participants
at the Global Consultation on Farmers’ Rights at Bali, Indonesia,
27–30 September 2016, shared views, experiences and examples of best
practices related to the implementation of Farmers' Rights as addressed
in the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and
Agriculture (‘the International Treaty’). They also identified a range
of issues that may affect the realization of Farmers’ Rights, and
discussed a draft list of recommendations to the Governing Body in
this regard.The following constitutes the Co-chairs’ summary of recommendations
to the Governing Body
i.
Recalling the Resolutions 2/2007, 6/2009, 6/2011, 8/2013 and 5/2015
of the Governing Body of the International Treaty;
ii.
Recalling also the Informal International Consultation on Farmers’
Rights in Lusaka, Zambia, in 2007 and the Global Consultation on Farmers’
Rights in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2010, which resulted recommendations
that were presented to the Governing Body at its sessions in 2007
and 2011
iii.
Noting that further progress in the implementation of Article 9 on
Farmers’Rights is urgent as:
a.
Farmers’ Rights is a cornerstone in the International Treaty; their
realization is essential for the conservation and sustainable use
of crop genetic resources and traditional knowledge, as farmers are
custodians and innovators of crop genetic diversity;
b.
Farmers’ seed systems provide reservoirs of plant genetic resources
of great importance to agricultural production in light of climate
change and other challenges in agriculture, such as emerging pests
and diseases;
c.
Farmers’ seed systems constitute the backbone of agricultural production
in many parts of the world, and are thus crucial to food security
of local communities in many countries;
d.
Farmers’ seed systems are embedded in local cultures and provide important
means to maintain identity and traditions;
the
Governing Body is invited to consider:
- Calling
upon all Contracting Parties to adopt legislation, build capacity
and create the institutional framework necessary for the realization
of Farmers’ Rights as provided in the International Treaty;
- Establishing
an ad hoc Working Group to guide and assist Contracting Parties
in the implementation of Farmers' Rights. The terms of reference
for the ad hoc Working Group may include:
1..Producing an inventory of national measures that may be adopted
to enhance the realization of Farmers’ Rights, including the right
to save, use, exchange and sell farm-saved seed, subject to national
law.
2..Developing,in an inclusive and participatory manner, voluntary
guidelines on the realization of Farmers' Rights at the national
level, having in view submissions of Contracting Parties and other
stakeholders;
- Requesting
the Secretariat to provide organizational assistance to the Ad Hoc
Working Group on Farmers’ Rights, in particular to effectively involve
in their work farmers’ organizations and other relevant stakeholders
from all regions;
- Inviting
Contracting Parties to contribute to the work of the Ad Hoc Working
Group on Farmers’ Rights by organizational and financial support
and by facilitating the participation of farmers’ organizations
and other relevant stakeholders.
- Inviting
Contracting Parties to provide the Secretariat with electronic copies
of legislation and other regulations they have adopted relating
to the implementation of Farmers' Rights.
- Encouraging
Contracting Parties and relevant organizations to take initiatives
to convene biannual global consultations on the realization of Farmers'
Rights, to bring together all relevant stakeholders, including policy-makers,
farmers' and indigenous peoples’ organization, government officials,
scientists, consumers, public and private research institutions,
civil society organizations and the seed industry.
- Calling
on Contrating Parties to revise, as necessary, seed laws, intellectual
property laws and other legislaton that may limit the legal space
or createundue obstacles for the realization of Farmers Rights.
- Encouraging
Contracting Parties to take measures,including in their legislation
and national policies, to protect and promote traditional knowledge
that is relevant to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture
(PGRFA), recognizing its dynamic nature and the need for a holistic
approach that considers factors including livelihoods, cultures
and landscapes.
- Adopting
procedures to strengthen the participation of representatives of
farmers as well as local and indigenous communities that contribute
to the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA in processes and
initiatives relating to the International Treaty;
- Encouraging
Contracting Parties to promote participatory approaches such as
community seed banks, community biodiversity registries, participatory
plant breeding and seed fairs as tools for realizing Farmer's Rights;
- Instructing
the Secretariat of the International Treaty to provide inputs about
Farmers' Rights to the Commission on Human Rights in the context
of the ongoing negotiation of a UN declaration on the rights of
peasants and other people working in rural areas.
- Requesting
the Secretariat of the International Treaty to also provide information
about Farmers’ Rights, as appropriate, to UN fora dealing with the
rights of indigenous people, such as the ILO Convention 169, the,
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,
the United NationsPermanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
- Recommending
the United Nations to designate an annual international day to celebrate
farmers of all regions who contribute to the conservation and sustainable
use of crop genetic resources for food and agriculture and to the
achievement of food security.
- Requesting
the assistance of FAO and other relevant international and national
organizations in the provision of technical and financial support
to national governments and organizations for the realization of
Farmers’ Rights.