Semences paysannes en Europe: Enjeux et perspectives

Abstract

The myth of technological progress in agriculture and then modern plant breeding, have resulted in a separation of farming from breeding activities. Seed laws as well have contributed to this end (e.g. by imposing strict rules for the inscription of varieties to the official catalogue). Nowadays, some pioneers, among farmers refusing industrialised agriculture and more often practicing organic agriculture, are proposing a different option. In Europe, since the beginning of this century, they have been organising themselves in networks: the Reseau Semences Paysannes in France, the Red de Semillas in Spain and the Rete Semi Rurali in Italy. Their members are farmers, consumers and scientists working together in order to reconsider the scientific, technical and legal aspects of seed production. These new varieties are designated "peasants' varieties", a concept that encompasses two main aspects: the seed, the reproductive part of the plant linked to its "terroir" and the variety, shaped by the history and coevolved with farmers. Scientists working with these networks are developing participatory plant breeding projects, which aim to broaden agrobiodiversity by creating new peasants' varieties. The basis of these projects comes from old local varieties and landraces conserved in seed banks. In Europe, the legal framework has evolved since the establishment of "conservation varieties" by the directive 98/95. The European research project Farm Seed Opportunities is on going to support new seed policies considering also the different national contexts. The debate in Europe now offers a range of seed systems models. It is time to enlarge this debate to southern countries through the sharing of knowledge between farmers of the North and the South, aiming at conserving agrobiodiversity and promoting rural innovation.