Samuel Mbewe
Zambia Alliance for Agroecology and Biodiversity says the New Plant Breeders’ Rights Bill based on UPOV 1991standards is completely an ill suited plant variety model for the Zambia context.
Addressing the media, ZAAB National Coordinator Mutinta Nketani says the standards do not fit nor support Zambia’s diverse food and farming systems.
She said if the bill is enacted into law will lead to increase in price of seeds and corporate capture of local seed and food systems.
Ms. Nketani has noted that the current PBR Act makes important provisions for flexibilities relevant to farmer seed system such as allowing breeders and farers to use protected varieties for further variety development as well as other exemptions for non commercial purposes.
The organization has recommended that no further revisions in line with UPOV should be made and that Seed Control and Certification Institute should facilitate an open and transparent national discussion on farmer’s rights.
Ms. Nketani said preserving Zambia’s Plant Breeders’ Rights Act is crucial for farmer seed systems and aligning with UPOV 1991 may restrict farmers’ rights, endangering food security and biodiversity.
She further said the alignment of the Plant Breeders’ Rights Act with UPOV 1991 poses a threat to farmers’ seed-saving rights, food security, and biodiversity conservation.
follow related article: https://shoutzambianews.online/plant-breeders-right-a-crucial-cornerstone-for-innovation-and-growth-in-agriculture-sector/