The production and sale of seeds is regulated by more than ten laws in the European Union. The EU has tried to modernize the law by writing one new law, but has repeatedly failed. The seed market is dominated by large multinational companies such as Monsanto, Syngenta and Bayer. In particular, small national seed conservation organizations have opposed seed sales monopoly and patenting, e.g. the Austrian Arche Noah seed saver organization.
Read Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 in Prieler, Magdalena (2022): EU reform of seeds marketing rules Which seeds for a just transition to agroecological and sustainable food systems?
Michelson, Annika (2024): Seed laws and agreements (ppt) Häme University of Applied Sciences. Recording 23 min.
Read this booklet: Organic heterogenous material.
Swedish EPA: Nagoya Protocol and ABS – Simply explained 5 min.
Growing Seed Saver -project (2020): Legal aspects of seed marketing and exchange in the Baltic states and Denmark from a seed-savers’ point of view