Heirloom Seeds in Iraq?

[gumbo]

After reading your bit about the crisis in Iraq over their heirloom seeds I became interested. What's the scoop on the US not allowing Iraqis to use their own seeds??
:confused:

[GreenZone]

Gumbo,
Not being well-versed in the controversy, I just wanted to let you know that Jere is on vacation in Mexico, and may not reply to your very valid question until he gets back. Then again he may. It just depends. Maybe someone else can comment on this...?
--Randel

[David_Lindley]

I know very little about the situation. In fact, I hadn't even heard about it until last night when I was looking through the Baker Creek catalog.

Anyway, this morning I went looking for some explanation. I've just started looking, but this might help explain:
http://www.i-sis.org.uk/GMiraq.php
http://politics.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/11/13/2023220

[Chad1433]

Here's some info on Order 81:

http://www.mindfully.org/GE/2005/Order-81-Iraq1feb05.htm

[scakya]

I generally stay out of politics due to my strong sustainable views, but this is just another example of Big Brother profitting due to laws construed in favor of big business. How shameful that a nation like the US where many of its' own farmers are seed saving and farming using methods that are healthy and sustainable, yet in an "occuppied" territory" the locals are having non-tradional seed shoved down their throats. Sounds a bit like the 50' and 60's complete with toxic chemicals.

I know that sounds like we are going backward, but to me I see the sustianable growing of produce as a good thing. My grandad did that back in the dustbowl days and was one of the few farmers in Kansas that didn't suffer like so many others did. You can bet your bippy he didn't cotton to those sales people who came through and touted chemicals and new fangled seed varities. Knowing him he gave them an ear chewing that kept them clear of his farm for many years.

Grandad saved seeds when others turned to those "big companies",and he never used the store bought chemicals as he couldn't find the cost being worth loss of his "healthy" soil. Grandad's soil was rich and loamy, not exactly black, but a deep dark rich red. You could stick a hand in his soil and come up with a handful of earthworms. Am I bragging, no.

It's simply showing that we need to support the Iraqi people in preserving what they have worked for eons doing, not let big business wipe out a true national treasure, their agricultural heritage.

scakya

[mayhaw]

i just got this in the mail today. the mentioned sites might have some information for you or if nothing else some more key words for your search.




Reply-To: IdahoProgressives@yahoogroups.com


In late 2003 after we invaded Iraq I became very concerned about the destruction of Iraq's second largest export. Dates. I even wrote to Jimmy Carter about this and my concerns.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=CNDA,CNDA:2004-16,CNDA:en&q=Iraq+date+palms+destroyed&spell=1*
*
I recently watched a National Geographic film on the story of Jared Diamond's study of "Guns, Germs and Steel".
http://www.wwnorton.com/catalog/spring99/gunsgerms.htm
*
In his investigations he notes that Africa was drastically altered because Europeans came in and changed the way that thousands of years of African farming and agriculture were done by changing it to the way it was done in Europe. The European model did not work in Africa and the people of Africa*are suffering and starving still from the changes made there by arrogant "We know better" attitudes of the Europeans.
*
Now I see the same thing happening in Iraq and it gives me great concern. What can we do about this?
*
http://globalresearch.ca/articles/KHA501A.html
*
"As part of sweeping "economic restructuring" implemented by the Bush Administration in Iraq, Iraqi farmers will no longer be permitted to save their seeds, which include seeds the Iraqis themselves have developed over hundreds of years. Instead, they will be forced to buy seeds from US corporations. That is because in recent years, transnational corporations have patented and now own many seed varieties originated or developed by indigenous peoples. In a short time, Iraq will be living under the new American credo:
Pay Monsanto, or starve ."


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[PaulF]

Some folks, I am sure, want to help Iraq feed itself and one way is to increase yields by using new hybrids. Even family plots may increase harvests. The real shame is if Monsanto's legal department wedges itself into the private lives of the people who just want to feed themselves. Wouldn't it be grand if they(Monsanto) entrench themselves into the country and the Iraqis can pull themselves out of the 14th century and nationalize all of Monsanto's assets and then sue them in international court and reverse Monsanto's attempt at global agicultural takeover.

[Sprocket]

The scoop is that we've helped.....strike that, someone with a lot of interest in the realm of seeds had an interest and a hand in helping the Iraqi's write their constitution. It says something about only certain seeds from approved sources being approved for planting. Basically THEY are trying to get a hold of the food supply and are attempting to control seed saving.

[zebraman]

This has to do with Companies getting contracts with the Govt.But please realize the US Govt.Also outlawed Poppy production.2005 was a Bumper Crop/Yeild for Opium.So I wouldn't waste too much time worring about this.