PORT TOWNSEND, Wash. — Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) published a comprehensive policy platform today for advancing equitable and resilient seed systems in the next Farm Bill and beyond. The platform provides recommendations on how Congress, regulatory agencies, and state governments can support organic seed producers and the diversity of our national seed supply.
Congress is already working on the 2023 Farm Bill and this platform provides a roadmap for promoting seed as the foundation of a diverse, healthy, and accessible food system. Key objectives of the 2023 Policy Platform for Seed include:
- Level the playing field for seed growers and independent seed companies
- Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in policies and policymaking
- Resist the privatization of seeds and genetic traits
- Increase investments in public plant breeding as a climate change solution
- Support ecological seed production by expanding organic seed acreage
- Protect the genetic integrity of organic and other non-GMO seed
- Increase the diversity and quantity of organic seed available in the marketplace
“OSA envisions a future where seed is not only managed as a commodity, but as a collective commitment to our future,” said OSA Advocacy Director Kiki Hubbard. “As part of this vision, farmers would have adequate choice in seed free of restrictive forms of intellectual property rights, such as patents, and GMO traits. Indigenous seed growers would control if, how, and when culturally significant plants are shared outside of their communities, and the seed industry would no longer be highly concentrated. Public seed collections would also serve the public good first, growing in capacity and diversity each year to secure a healthy and resilient food supply for future generations.”
Learn more about the platform and OSA’s #LeadWithSeed Farm Bill policy campaign here.
Organic Seed Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advances ethical seed solutions to meet food and farming needs in a changing world. OSA serves growers working with seed across the U.S. through participatory research, practical education, policy advocacy, and network development.
–Organic Seed Alliance
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