Farmin' in the I-rack.

[X|Rolando]

As part of sweeping "economic restructuring" implemented by the Bush Administration in Iraq, Iraqi farmers will no longer be permitted to save their seeds. Instead, they will be forced to buy seeds from US corporations -- including seeds the Iraqis themselves developed over hundreds of years. 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.

http://www.vegsource.com/articles2/iraq_seeds.htm

It might be a week old, but It should fit into the politics section...

 

[CptStern]

ah the terminator seeds finally make it to iraq ..Mosanto wins again

"In 2002, FAO estimated that 97 percent of Iraqi farmers used saved seed from their own stocks from last year's harvest or purchased from local markets. When the new law - on plant variety protection (PVP) - is put into effect, seed saving will be illegal and the market will only offer proprietary "PVP-protected" planting material "invented" by transnational agribusiness corporations. The new law totally ignores all the contributions Iraqi farmers have made to development of important crops like wheat, barley, date and pulses. Its consequences are the loss of farmers' freedoms and a grave threat to food sovereignty in Iraq. In this way, the US has declared a new war against the Iraqi farmer."


pretty crappy, they forced this in pakistan a number of years ago, poor farmers only became poorer

 

[Gray Fox]

Sometimes I'm ashamed to be the same species as bush and his administration. This truly makes me so sad, and the sadest thing is that this won't be reported on any of the news channels, and now one at school is going to care about this if I say it to them or know about it, this just makes me glad we have these forums, I wold have never know about this otherwise, i hope you folks stay here for a long time.

 

[K e r b e r o s]

Quoting any other sources?

 

[CptStern]

Here's another source

here's how it looks propagandized

"Seed for many agricultural products will be distributed through various channels, providing agricultural and economic benefits. This will give quality seeds to Iraq farmers but will also help entrepreneurs get started in selling seeds."

here's how it looks when the propaganda beats you over your head with the message

 

[K e r b e r o s]

I think everyone is afraid of Corperate infiltrations. Its safe to say that for your first article.

However, I can say that what is good, is seed distribution. It has become much higher then its, ever before been, around the Euphrates.

This could either forebode a market Iraq could use to stand on its legs, or one, that would forbode yet another Corperation take over.

 

[gh0st]

oh noes a corporation is selling seeds to iraqi farmers.

 

[X|Rolando]

Hmmm... Something is telling me gh0st is the lord of sarcasm. The type of strange sarcasm you dont get at first.

 

[Steve]

I've never had much faith in corporations' respect for the individual..but jeez, they just really don't care if you live or die, do they? They're just cold-hearted bastards, aren't they?


Down with the establishment!