The law on counterfeits has been integrating an agricultural component that strengthens
patent rights intensifying its control and repression. Conf?d?ration Paysanne, after a
major struggle, managed to remove articles on the seeds of this law. His secret? First
stop waxing pumps socialist power! ---- On 20 November 2013, senators approved a bill
which, under the pretext of fighting against counterfeiting, de facto condemns any farmer
that produces its seeds on the farm, its plants, its breeding or natural preparations of
micro organisms or other natural elements from the farm or the natural environment. Any
farmer will not have bills will be considered a priori infringer. ---- This law
criminalizes several founders and agriculture acts and transforms the peasant offender,
limiting personal freedoms. These consequences are unacceptable and totally deny the
history of agriculture: the work of generations of farmers millennium was used to select
and maintain a cultivated variety to feed people.
Strengthened patent
It is clear that this law is primarily aimed at putting the state, justice and police, in
direct service of holders of intellectual property rights private companies (IPR). All
devices fight against counterfeiting involving trademarks, all patents, including patents
on plants, animals and micro-organisms are strengthened. Seed industries so lock one of
the keystones of agriculture.
Union strategy not to splash too much socialos is a failure. They trample the proposals of
unionism left and follow those of unionism right FNSEA. Conf?d?ration Paysanne has changed
strategy. She organized activities throughout France with partner organizations, has
organized lobbying MPs and changed the tone of his communications to something more offensive.
Store the box in the closet shine
February 5, MEPs adopted an amendment excluding seed farm law on counterfeiting. Even if
victory is not complete and that all seeds are not freely available, it is an important
first step.
This is an example that to win you have to be offensive. The central principle is that the
socialist government meets the balance of forces in the same way that the power of right.
And applies the same policy. The great promise of departure are reduced to almost nothing
and you have to fight for each amendment.
The lesson of this union victory is clear. We must not concede and fight toe to toe
corporate power and state that defends their interests. Victories call victories, continue
on this path.
Georges Claas (AL Var)
Home »
» (en) France, Alternative Libertaire AL #237 - Agriculture: Sowing the struggle reap victory (fr, pt)