Extreme Monopoly
Submitted by ETC Staff on
ETC Group exposed the Venter Institute’s controversial patent applications on the world’s first human-made living organism built entirely from synthetic DNA (dubbed “Synthia” by ETC Group). Newly published patent claims reveal an even bigger grab for ownership of synthetic life.
Farmers Call for Suspension of Seed Treaty
Submitted by ETC Staff on
Farmers’ organizations who were invited to attend a United Nations meeting on the Treaty that governs the exchange of crop seeds for research and plant breeding late yesterday told the assembled governments that the Treaty would have to be suspended. Speaking on behalf of 30 farmers’ and other civil society organizations, Ibrahima Coulibaly of ROPPA (regional farmers’ organization of West Africa) said that, “the Treaty, hosted in Rome by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), must halt the exchange of crop germplasm – the critical material for plant breeding. The suspension should remain in effect until governments meet the minimal obligations of the Treaty including its core financial arrangements,” the African farmer leader concluded.
Organizaciones campesinas piden la suspensión del Tratado de Semillas
Submitted by ETC Staff on
Las Organizaciones Campesinas invitadas a participar a la reunión de la ONU sobre el Tratado que rige el intercambio de semillas para la investigación y la mejora vegetal declararon ayer a los gobiernos reunidos que el Tratado debería ser suspendido. Hablando en nombre de 28 organizaciones campesinas y de la Sociedad Civil, Ibrahima Coulibaly del ROPPA (Red de Organizaciones Campesinas y de Productores Agrarios de África del Oeste) dijo que “el Tratado, bajo los auspicios de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Agricultura y Alimentación (FAO) en Roma, tiene que paralizar el intercambio de germoplasma de cultivos - material crítico para la mejora vegetal. La suspensión debe mantenerse hasta que los gobiernos cumplan las obligaciones mínimas del Tratado incluyendo las previsiones financieras básicas”, concluyó el líder campesino africano.
Las 10 compañías de semillas más importantes del mundo - 2006
Submitted by ETC Staff on
Compañía Valor de las ventas en 2006
(Millones de dólares)
1. Monsanto (EEUU)
+ Delta & Pine Land (pro forma) $ 4 476
2. Dupont (EEUU) $ 2 781
3. Syngenta (Suiza) $ 1 743
4. Groupe Limagrain (Francia) $ 1 035
5. Land O`Lakes (EEUU) $ 756
6. KWS AG (Alemania) $ 615
UPDATED: The World's Top 10 Seed Companies - 2006
Submitted by ETC Staff on
Based on 2006 revenues, the top 10 seed corporations account for $13,014 million or 57% of the commercial seed market worldwide.
The top 3 seed companies account for $9,000 million – or 39% of the commercial seed market worldwide.
The top 4 seed companies account for 44% of the commercial seed market worldwide.
The world’s largest seed company, Monsanto, accounts for 20% of the world’s commercial seed market.