(en) France, Alternative Libertaire AL #237 - Agriculture: Sowing the struggle reap victory (fr, pt)

The law on counterfeits has been integrating an agricultural component that strengthens 
patent rights intensifying its control and repression. Conf?d?ration Paysanne, after a 
major struggle, managed to remove articles on the seeds of this law. His secret? First 
stop waxing pumps socialist power! ---- On 20 November 2013, senators approved a bill 
which, under the pretext of fighting against counterfeiting, de facto condemns any farmer 
that produces its seeds on the farm, its plants, its breeding or natural preparations of 
micro organisms or other natural elements from the farm or the natural environment. Any 
farmer will not have bills will be considered a priori infringer. ---- This law 
criminalizes several founders and agriculture acts and transforms the peasant offender, 
limiting personal freedoms. These consequences are unacceptable and totally deny the 
history of agriculture: the work of generations of farmers millennium was used to select 
and maintain a cultivated variety to feed people.

Strengthened patent

It is clear that this law is primarily aimed at putting the state, justice and police, in 
direct service of holders of intellectual property rights private companies (IPR). All 
devices fight against counterfeiting involving trademarks, all patents, including patents 
on plants, animals and micro-organisms are strengthened. Seed industries so lock one of 
the keystones of agriculture.

Union strategy not to splash too much socialos is a failure. They trample the proposals of 
unionism left and follow those of unionism right FNSEA. Conf?d?ration Paysanne has changed 
strategy. She organized activities throughout France with partner organizations, has 
organized lobbying MPs and changed the tone of his communications to something more offensive.

Store the box in the closet shine

February 5, MEPs adopted an amendment excluding seed farm law on counterfeiting. Even if 
victory is not complete and that all seeds are not freely available, it is an important 
first step.

This is an example that to win you have to be offensive. The central principle is that the 
socialist government meets the balance of forces in the same way that the power of right. 
And applies the same policy. The great promise of departure are reduced to almost nothing 
and you have to fight for each amendment.

The lesson of this union victory is clear. We must not concede and fight toe to toe 
corporate power and state that defends their interests. Victories call victories, continue 
on this path.

Georges Claas (AL Var)