Stand in solidarity with small-scale farmers, says CAFOD

Photo credit: CAFOD

Source: CAFOD

At the heart of the global food crisis is a struggle for control over the world's seeds. For generations, small-scale farmers have freely swapped and shared a wide variety of seeds. However, the freedom of farmers to choose what seeds they use is under threat as the World Bank supports new laws which push farmers towards using seeds sold by big agribusiness.

This puts control of the world's seeds into the hands of a few giant corporations. If we want a sustainable food system, then we must stand with small farmers across the world as they fight for control over their seeds.

As part of its 'Fix the Food System' Campaign, CAFOD provides a template letter demanding that the World Bank end all policies that restrict farmers' freedoms to choose which seeds they use to grow food:

Executive Director Vel Gnanendran

World Bank

Dear Vel Gnanendran,

Recent events, including the Covid pandemic and the Ukraine war, have exposed the extent to which our global food system is not fit for purpose. With over 800 million people already going hungry and climate change increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, the situation is only set to get worse.

If we are to build a more sustainable food system, then the rights of small-scale farmers must be put at the heart of the solution. More than ever, supporting small farmers' rights over their own seed varieties is vital for ensuring long term food security and climate resilience.

Ahead of the World Bank's spring meetings, I urge you to ensure that the UK government works with the World Bank to:

• Protect the fundamental rights of small farmers to save, use, exchange and sell their own varieties of seeds.
• Put an end to all policies that limit small farmers' choice over which seeds they can access.

Links:

https://action.cafod.org.uk/page/117398/action/1?

https://cafod.org.uk/Campaign/Fix-the-Food-System