The ultimate war crime: breaking the ag cycle

[The Blue Flower]

The Ultimate War Crime: Breaking the Agricultural Cycle --For the record: "U.S. declares Iraqis can not save their own seeds" --edited by Iman Khaduri "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.' The American Administrator of the Iraqi CPA (Coalition Provisional Authority) government, Paul Bremer, updated Iraq's intellectual property law to 'meet current internationally-recognized standards of protection'. The updated law makes saving seeds for next year's harvest, practiced by 97% of Iraqi farmers in 2002, and is the standard farming practice for thousands of years across human civilizations, to be now illegal. Instead, farmers will have to obtain a yearly license for genetically modified (GM) seeds from American corporations."

http://legitgov.org/index.html#breaking_news

[Ezlivin]

1. Same strong arm tactics are used against small American farms

It's very important that we support the multinational corporations!

[htuttle]

2. If they think they'll be able to enforce this,...

...they're stupider than I thought.

They are scared to leave the Green Zone most of the time. How are they planning on inspecting farm fields? I imagine they'll expect their quislings to do it for them, but that would be handing the resistance an other huge propaganda victory. Put all the nation's farmers in the resistance camp -- brillant!

[cheezus]

3. that's the problem with "intellectual property"

and being sold not something (even when you receive something physical), but rather a "license" to use said "property"

GMO may be the most troubling example, but IP is hurting all kinds of people in all kinds of sectors

[sweetheart]

6. But even if you own the IP, only those with the legal clout can defend it

Lets say you own the IP for "1 click ordering" (the patent). Then
IBM adds 1 click to their website. Can the individual get any justice
at all suing IBM.. no. The IP laws are only for mega rich corporations
who can do whatever they like as long as they don't cross another
megarich corporation... but to suggest that they protect intellectual
property rights is a bit rich.

Basically, the current IP system totally punishes individual innovation
and rather rewards theft and graft.

[stevedeshazer]

4. That's free trade for ya...

Forced to pay Monsanto.

[B3Nut]

5. This is pure insanity!

I cannot fathom the degree of arrogance exhibited by these big corporations. Those seeds have been around for centuries before them, and if these curses upon humanity are stopped will be around for centuries afterward. Monsanto can go to hell.

TP

[michaelwb]

7. Lost revenue - bitter humor

But those Monsanto owned plants produce oxygen, which those selfish poor people are breathing for FREE!

It's time to start an oxygen tax to compensate our companies for their efforts and enhance their revenue streams....