The United Nations Development Program conducted a national consultation on the “Plant Rights Assessment (PRA) Package” last February 9-10 in Makati City, Philippines. AFA was represented by Mr. Vicente Fabe, its Treasurer and PAKISAMA, AFA member in the Philippines, was represented by Mr. Rene Cerilla, its Advocacy Leader.
The PRA package is aimed to assist countries in developing balanced plant rights regimes by making use of human rights principles and specifically the right to food. It wants to follow UNDP’s recommendation “that in establishing a balanced plant variety regime, countries would benefit from an ‘inclusive process’ – one that takes into considerations concerns of key stakeholders.”
Mr. Fabe made a presentation on “using Plant Rights Assessment Package in Asia.” In his speech, he stressed that the farmer’s practice of saving, using and exchanging seeds have helped in meeting their food needs and ensured the diversity of plant genetics. He said that the PRA package can be used by farmers’ organizations in assessing national seed laws and in making recommendations for its amendment, revision or even total overhaul of these laws.
In closing, he described three components of a regional work in Asia which includes: (1) appraisal/assessment of seed saving practices and seed policies at the formal and informal levels; (2) awareness raising workshops; and (3) establishing local systems on on-farm conservation and protection from misappropriation.
Click here for the program.
Click here for the presentation.
Click here for the draft PRA package.
Comments are closed