December 2023 - Npos_2018 - lists.testbiotech.de

best wishes for Christmas and good news
by Christoph Then 20 Dec '23

20 Dec '23

Dear all I wish you all the best for upcoming holidays and hope we are successful in 2024! there are some good news already: the Gene ethical Foundation as well as Salvia are ready to support our work next year! so have a good time and thanks for your cooperation! and a special thanks to Ruth! cheers Christoph

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text for appeal to the EU (Deutsch und English)
by Christoph Then 18 Dec '23

18 Dec '23

Dear all see my proposal for a text to be used for campaign in January 2024. It starts with the text that could be sent to the institutions of the EU (italics) and then a longer explanatory text is following. if we do not hear from each other I wish you happy Christmas and a good start in 2024! Christoph

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update: planning next year / new campaigning -push
by Christoph Then 18 Dec '23

18 Dec '23

Dear all, next year we have the opportunity to use the discussion around NGTs and PRM (plant reproductive material) to push for our goals in the EU. to use this discussion we have to explain the legal and factual differences between patents on technical inventions. We have to make sure that if political initiatives are started, conventional bred plants become a priority. To push for our demands we can use our our existing networks and in addition our new outreach to breeders: Meanwhile our idea to spread leaflets and stickers via breeders works quite well in Germany. We just ordered printing of around 50.000 stickers and 5.000 leaflets. This material will have a QR-Code and a link to our website. We will establish a new campaigning-site to use these new contacts. we may print English (French?? others??) material if we find interest in other countries. As a starting point, I propose to ask the supporters to send e-mails to the EU Commission, the Council and the Parliament. We can list several e-mail contacts on our website and a message (with visual) for download to be sent. This activity does not require long preparations, it allows rapid alert action (but may not result in very high numbers). This activity should start in January and will go on till decisions are taken on PRM and NGTs. After that, we will analyse our chances to succeed via the EU and take further activities accordingly. I am just about to draft a text for the new campaigning website and hope I can send it this week, so we can launch our action early next year. Cheers Christoph

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Notes from meeting with ECVC on patents' impacts on farmers & their main concerns
by Fulya BATUR 15 Dec '23

15 Dec '23

Dear all, Last week, we had a meeting together with Dagmar with the European Coordination Via Campesina (ECVC) to discuss the problem areas for farmers and peasants with regards to patents, in order to better understand their position and potentially build more synergies with the work that is currently being done on seed marketing and the NGT files, where the patents issue has gathered quite the interest of policymakers. Talk with ECVC on patents (with linkages to NGT & PRM marketing files) ECVC stressed 3 problem areas with regards to patents & their impacts on peasants and farmers. 1. Native traits The main problem from the perspective of ECVC is the patentability of "GENETIC INFORMATION" contained in plants and seeds that are used or marketed, and the extension of the scope of patent protection to native traits. Their argument is not centered around the difference between conventional breeding and GE, but rather on 'genetic information' being patented, whichever the breeding process. This focus and narrative also comes from the work that they are doing at the international level on "digital sequence information" (in CBD and ITPGRFA circles). 1. Burden of proof, litigation & detection * Detrimental consequences of burden of proof in patent disputes * Impact on breeders : breeders may fear judicial proceedings and avoid use of variety or its products (even if there is no outright violation, and even if material is deposited through Budapest Treaty). ECVC cite the conflict between Rijk Zwaan (patent on pathogen resistance in lettuce) and Graines Baumaux (plant variety protection on lettuce variety), where Baumaux could not sell its variety's seeds because the dispute was known and farmers did not want to take the risk. * Impact on farmers : since peasant/farmers varieties are not sequenced & they evolve through on-farm dynamic management, it is difficult to prove that farmers/peasants have not used the patented process/product (Schmeiser case) * Even when you can prove the fact that you do not need consent to use patented plant/information in principle, litigation and its implementation become an additional problem, since huge powers come with the start of an infringement procedure (full confiscation of lots etc, like the Argentina soymeal case). This can create huge losses and it is too important a risk to not be able to use or sell harvest/products during the time of proceedings : rules lead to avoidance of material ! * Lack of approved detection method for NGTs (especially certain categories under the Commission proposal) could make it even more difficult to ensure legal certainty and protect oneself from the scope of patent protection. If there is a detection method, it can at least be applied to show that the patented "invention" has not been used by the farmer. 1. Farm saved seeds * Biotech Directive (Article 11) just references PVP Rules and leaves the extent of the privilege and implementation to national laws. UPC (Art.27) has a more direct impact on patent protection and FSS, but today very few patents with unitary protection and reference to PVP system is maintained. * Different interpretations are still possible on farm saved seeds provision in the Biotech directive (lack of jurisprudence means lack of certainty) * Option A= Farmers privilege applies to varieties affected by patent, regardless of whether PVP on variety or not * Option B= If UPOV style title also exists on variety where there is patent : royalties to the breeder for FSS under the conditions of plant variety protection. If variety is not protected through UPOV but its use falls under/ is restricted by a patent, then there is no farmers privilege? ECVC also thinks that the provisions of the seed marketing proposal on heterogeneous material, when analysed together with the NGT proposal, compromise seed and food sovereignty. They fear that in their current form, the heterogenous material openings might be used as an entry point for NGT plants, which are more difficult to stabilize and turn into DUS varieties. They cite the example of Bt maize in France and a GEVES study done on the trait. If you have any questions or remarks, do let me know so that we can address them in potential future work! Best, Fulya Fulya BATUR, PhD Consultancy, Training, Research & Legal Advice www.kybele-consult.com<http://www.kybele-consult.com/> 0032.484.77.86.18

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IMPORTANT: Meeting of members 4 April 2024
by Johanna Eckhardt 07 Dec '23

07 Dec '23

Dear all, thanks for filling out the poll. Our meeting of members will take place on 4 April 2024 in Munich. Please save the date. Kind regards, Johanna Mag. Johanna ECKHARDT Project Coordination Tel. +43 680 21 26 343 <mailto:johanna.eckhardt@no-patents-on-seeds.org> johanna.eckhardt(a)no-patents-on-seeds.org NO PATENTS ON SEEDS! <http://www.no-patents-on-seeds.org/> www.no-patents-on-seeds.org <http://www.facebook.com/nopatentsonseeds> www.facebook.com/nopatentsonseeds <http://www.twitter.com/nopatentsonseed> www.twitter.com/nopatentsonseed Von: Npos_2018 <npos_2018-bounces(a)testbiotech.de> Im Auftrag von Johanna Eckhardt Gesendet: Mittwoch, 22. November 2023 19:40 An: npos_2018(a)testbiotech.de Betreff: [Npos_2018] IMPORTANT: Meeting of members 2024 Dear all, let me remind you to fill out the poll for our meeting of members in March/April 2024. There are still a few people missing. In case you are not planning to attend, please let me know, too. Thank you! https://dud-poll.inf.tu-dresden.de/uRtvdGxtZw/ Kind regards, Johanna Mag. Johanna ECKHARDT Project Coordination Tel. +43 680 21 26 343 <mailto:johanna.eckhardt@no-patents-on-seeds.org> johanna.eckhardt(a)no-patents-on-seeds.org NO PATENTS ON SEEDS! <http://www.no-patents-on-seeds.org/> www.no-patents-on-seeds.org <http://www.facebook.com/nopatentsonseeds> www.facebook.com/nopatentsonseeds <http://www.twitter.com/nopatentsonseed> www.twitter.com/nopatentsonseed Von: Npos_2018 <npos_2018-bounces(a)testbiotech.de <mailto:npos_2018-bounces@testbiotech.de> > Im Auftrag von Johanna Eckhardt Gesendet: Mittwoch, 15. November 2023 15:44 An: npos_2018(a)testbiotech.de <mailto:npos_2018@testbiotech.de> Betreff: Re: [Npos_2018] IMPORTANT: Meeting of members 2024 .please keep in mind that 31 March is Easter Sunday - so some of the proposed dates are around Easter. Mag. Johanna ECKHARDT Project Coordination Tel. +43 680 21 26 343 <mailto:johanna.eckhardt@no-patents-on-seeds.org> johanna.eckhardt(a)no-patents-on-seeds.org NO PATENTS ON SEEDS! <http://www.no-patents-on-seeds.org/> www.no-patents-on-seeds.org <http://www.facebook.com/nopatentsonseeds> www.facebook.com/nopatentsonseeds <http://www.twitter.com/nopatentsonseed> www.twitter.com/nopatentsonseed Von: Johanna Eckhardt <johanna.eckhardt(a)no-patents-on-seeds.org <mailto:johanna.eckhardt@no-patents-on-seeds.org> > Gesendet: Mittwoch, 15. November 2023 15:41 An: 'npos_2018(a)testbiotech.de' <npos_2018(a)testbiotech.de <mailto:npos_2018@testbiotech.de> > Betreff: IMPORTANT: Meeting of members 2024 Dear all, let's fix a date for our next meeting of members end of March/beginning of April 2024. We plan for a one day meeting in Munich from around 10h-17h. Please let me know if that works for you or if you have other suggestions. Here is a poll: https://dud-poll.inf.tu-dresden.de/uRtvdGxtZw/ Please fill it out until 22 Nov / 10h CET. If you have any preferences of dates that I should keep in mind, just let me know. Kind regards, Johanna Mag. Johanna ECKHARDT Project Coordination Tel. +43 680 21 26 343 johanna.eckhardt(a)no-patents-on-seeds.org <mailto:johanna.eckhardt@no-patents-on-seeds.org> NO PATENTS ON SEEDS! <http://www.no-patents-on-seeds.org/> www.no-patents-on-seeds.org <http://www.facebook.com/nopatentsonseeds> www.facebook.com/nopatentsonseeds <http://www.twitter.com/nopatentsonseed> www.twitter.com/nopatentsonseed

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French breeders on essentially biological processes / random mutagenesis
by ARCHE NOAH Katherine Dolan 07 Dec '23

07 Dec '23

Dear all, Some of you will have received this article via the new GMO list, but for those that didn't - it is interesting to see that the French breeders' association is not explicitly saying that plants/traits resulting from random mutagenesis should be excluded from patentability: https://www.infogm.org/7936-dilemma-faced-by-certain-seed-companies-in-rela… Best, Katherine Katherine Dolan Leitung Team Saatgutpolitik / Head of Seed Policy ARCHE NOAH Gesellschaft für die Erhaltung der Kulturpflanzenvielfalt und ihre Entwicklung / Association for the Conservation and Development of Cultivated Plant Diversity Obere Straße 40, 3553 Schiltern, Austria +43 (0)676 557 4408 katherine.dolan(a)arche-noah.at<mailto:katherine.dolan@arche-noah.at> www.arche-noah.at<http://www.arche-noah.at/> [Kampagne_Saatgutrecht__fb-Cover_851x315_de]<https://mitmachen.arche-noah.at/de/hoch-die-gabeln/> Hoch die Gabeln - für die Vielfalt! - Hier Petition zum EU-Saatgutrecht unterschreiben<https://mitmachen.arche-noah.at/de/hoch-die-gabeln/>

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IMPORTANT Conference call January
by Johanna Eckhardt 06 Dec '23

06 Dec '23

Dear all, thanks for filling out the poll. Let's fix Monday, 22 January 16h-17.30h CET for our next call. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83894110226?pwd=bzgrZC84WTRIdGZxNEZUY2pRSDNnZz09 Meeting ID: 838 9411 0226 Passcode: 653059 Kind regards, Johanna Mag. Johanna ECKHARDT Project Coordination Tel. +43 680 21 26 343 <mailto:johanna.eckhardt@no-patents-on-seeds.org> johanna.eckhardt(a)no-patents-on-seeds.org NO PATENTS ON SEEDS! <http://www.no-patents-on-seeds.org/> www.no-patents-on-seeds.org <http://www.facebook.com/nopatentsonseeds> www.facebook.com/nopatentsonseeds <http://www.twitter.com/nopatentsonseed> www.twitter.com/nopatentsonseed Von: Npos_2018 <npos_2018-bounces(a)testbiotech.de> Im Auftrag von Johanna Eckhardt Gesendet: Freitag, 1. Dezember 2023 20:13 An: npos_2018(a)testbiotech.de Betreff: [Npos_2018] Conference call January Dear all, here is the poll for our conference call in January: https://dud-poll.inf.tu-dresden.de/6IqGRFwl-g/ Duration of the meeting: 90min Please fill it out until Wednesday, 6 December 14h CET. Thank you! Kind regards, Johanna Mag. Johanna ECKHARDT Project Coordination Tel. +43 680 21 26 343 <mailto:johanna.eckhardt@no-patents-on-seeds.org> johanna.eckhardt(a)no-patents-on-seeds.org NO PATENTS ON SEEDS! <http://www.no-patents-on-seeds.org/> www.no-patents-on-seeds.org <http://www.facebook.com/nopatentsonseeds> www.facebook.com/nopatentsonseeds <http://www.twitter.com/nopatentsonseed> www.twitter.com/nopatentsonseed

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Interview on ACLP platform
by ARCHE NOAH Katherine Dolan 04 Dec '23

04 Dec '23

Dear all, On the Euroseeds website<https://european-seed.com/2023/10/euroseeds-2023-congress-our-interview-wit…> there is an interview with the new head of the ACLP, the industry licensing platform for patents which was set up at the start of the year. There is also reference to the NGT debate. You can see they are trying to use the existence of the platform to neutralise the criticism of the patents on the NGTs. Interestingly, membership of the platform is free for small companies until 2028 - in case any friendly breeders want to join and keep an eye on what the industry is doing. Best, Katherine Katherine Dolan Leitung Team Saatgutpolitik / Head of Seed Policy ARCHE NOAH Gesellschaft für die Erhaltung der Kulturpflanzenvielfalt und ihre Entwicklung / Association for the Conservation and Development of Cultivated Plant Diversity Obere Straße 40, 3553 Schiltern, Austria +43 (0)676 557 4408 katherine.dolan(a)arche-noah.at<mailto:katherine.dolan@arche-noah.at> www.arche-noah.at<http://www.arche-noah.at/> [Kampagne_Saatgutrecht__fb-Cover_851x315_de]<https://mitmachen.arche-noah.at/de/hoch-die-gabeln/> Hoch die Gabeln - für die Vielfalt! - Hier Petition zum EU-Saatgutrecht unterschreiben<https://mitmachen.arche-noah.at/de/hoch-die-gabeln/>

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Winter break
by Anne-Charlotte Moy 04 Dec '23

04 Dec '23

Dear all, I would like to inform you that, with the consent of Christoph and the Board, I will be away for the next 4 months on another project. The research will continue as soon as I return at the beginning of April. I wish you all a wonderful Advent time. Anne Charlotte

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Christmas break
by Johanna Eckhardt 04 Dec '23

04 Dec '23

Dear all, FYI: I will start my Christmas break on 14 December and will be back on 8 January. >From January to end of March I will work from Barcelona. Kind regards, Johanna Mag. Johanna ECKHARDT Project Coordination Tel. +43 680 21 26 343 <mailto:johanna.eckhardt@no-patents-on-seeds.org> johanna.eckhardt(a)no-patents-on-seeds.org NO PATENTS ON SEEDS! <http://www.no-patents-on-seeds.org/> www.no-patents-on-seeds.org <http://www.facebook.com/nopatentsonseeds> www.facebook.com/nopatentsonseeds <http://www.twitter.com/nopatentsonseed> www.twitter.com/nopatentsonseed

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