Are heirloom seeds on the way out? This is a must LISTEN!

[keepitlow]

In this talk show they say Monsanto and DuPont are patenting heritage seeds. (I think they mean heirloom seeds?) Is this possible? Can these corps eventually patent all the heirloom seeds and make seed saving illegal for everyone?

See:

http://www.metrofarm.com/mf_Food_Chain_Radio.php

Show #659: THE SEED GIANTS

[pamela]

hey, if you don't mind, I'd like to put this in the gardening forum, it's very important.
good find, excellent site!

[HungryRaven]

That looks like an interesting website.  As far as seeds go I am going to try hard to produce and harvest my own seeds this year.  I can't see how you can already be using a seed and creating your own and they can come in and say that seed now belongs to them even though it was years since you bought your original seed stock. 

[pamela]

HungryRaven, I don't understand it either but they can, and do, patent genes of a plant or animal and claim ownership to it.
I believe that one day, it will be illegal for people like us to harvest and save our own seed.
Learning to save seed is perhaps one of the single most important long term skills that a person can have.
Our seed saving and sharing will one day have to be done like drug deals are done now, in dark alleys or parked cars, whispered about in code.
Monsanto's stated goal is to control the world's food supply and thus control the world.


edited to add.
I added must listen to the title of this thread.
guys, you really need to listen to this interview. This is vital, vital, information.
If you don't know what is happening with seeds and Monsanto and other big businesses, you need this information.
Thank you keepitlow for posting this.
Guys, seed saving is more important than we had realized.

[motherearth]

Pammie,
Maybe you need to put it into financial news and have it be required reading, cuz it WILL make an impression later on when no-one can grow their own...F*&%#*$^*& Bastards!!!!!

A Pissed Off Mama

[DennInMI]

Well, now that five brilliant   justices of our wonder Supreme Court have just allowed corporations to buy every election, I have no doubt that Monsanto and other megacorps will be able to do anything the want in the near future, including buy politicians that will do their bidding on this and every other issue.  A shame and disgrace is what it is.

Used to be, they raided drug houses.  Will there be raids on seed savers soon?

"OK, lady, drop the tomato and spread 'em or I'll shoot!"

[pamela]

this is definitely one of those issues that most people will never even hear anything about.
it will effect ours and our children's and grandchildren's lives to come.
This is monstrous and may turn out to be one of the single most important things we ever do.
Save our own Seeds!
For now, it seems they are concerning themselves with attacking farmers and bigger commercial activities, but, if we buy seeds that have come from Monsanto seed providers, what will that mean?
Will they get our addresses and make sure we aren't saving seed?
will they make people sign some form or something saying that they will agree to not save seed?
I don't know, this has me more upset than usual.

[motherearth]

DennInMI...ROFLMAO!

Thank, I think I needed that 

[keepitlow]

hey, if you don't mind, I'd like to put this in the gardening forum, it's very important.
good find, excellent site!

No problem. Thanks!

[Emeline]

These global corporations are all about creating MONOPOLIES for their own profit and control.

IF they could patent and control ALL seeds I guarantee they would.

Of course the idea is preposterous and outrageous because it is not that different to having a patent on life itself, but look at the stunts they've already pulled in places like India, Iraq and Africa.

Personally, I'd save seeds like they were going out of fashion....nothing to lose, very good insurance.

[revoltingdevelopments]

Every year I tell myself, Ok you have enough varieties to keep track of. Then I see something interesting in the catalogs or I read something like this and my dozens of varieties seems inadequate again...damn it. I can't keep up. I need a staff of 5-10 to grow everything and keep it all organized. I guess I had better get on that cloning machine.

[pamela]

maybe we need to contact other seed savers and set up a way to exchange seeds?
I'm not good at organizing but, it's not a bad idea for those of us who are like-minded, to gather together, exchange addresses and seed info and swap seeds on our own.

[onemintomidnight]

what show number are they discussing this? so many shows to look though and this was not a direct link....

I know i will probably listen to many of their shows, but i have lazy friends who i am trying to pull their heads out of what ever it is stuck in.

[badgoat]

Edited because I am stupid

[motherearth]

A seed slut! Hilarious!

Seed Savers actually has a member yearbook that is totally separate from the business, Seed Savers, where members swap back and forth. There is a lot more variety available from members as the business is on a steady rotation to keep the treasured seed stock viable. Members grow varieties every year.

Did that make sense??

a tired mother