International Seeds Day rooted in Iraq law

Sunday is International Seeds Day. The Institute of Near Eastern and African Studies - ineas.org - in Cambridge, Mass., chose the day for good reason.

On that date in 2004, Order 81 was signed by Paul Bremer of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq to control Iraq's agriculture. Order 81's "Plant Variety Protection" ensures not the protection of biodiversity but rather the protection of the commercial interests of major seed corporations like Monsanto.

To qualify for PVP, seeds have to be new, uniform, distinct and stable. However, seeds developed by Iraqis cannot possibly meet these criteria. The free exchange of seeds practiced for millennia means they are not new, characteristics are spread and shared across local varieties so they're not distinct, they cross-pollinate with nearby varieties, always changing and adapting, so they are not uniform and stable. They are biologically diverse.

So, now Iraq's farmers must buy registered seeds by law. Order 81 has created a system of private monopoly rights over seeds and forces farmers to rely on big U.S. corporations for its annual crop seeds. It is illegal for commercial farmers to plant seeds that their ancestors saved, nurtured and shared. So much for freedom and democracy.

Protect our seeds, Hawaii. Celebrate ISD this Sunday by sharing organic seeds with neighbors, planting a garden or raising awareness about International Seeds Day. See www.hawaiiseed.org.

Bonnie Bonse

Makawao