El día 23 de diciembre de 2015, la Asamblea Nacional de Venezuela aprobó una nueva Ley de Semillas que prohíbe la importación, producción y siembra de semillas transgénicas o genéticamente modificadas (OGM); y protege la producción e intercambio libre de variedades de semillas pertenecientes a las comunidades agrícolas de Venezuela (indígenas, campesinas y afrodescendientes), entre otras disposiciones.
La prohibición de los OGM se basa en el principio de precaución, dado que los efectos de la tecnología transgénica aún no se conocen completamente y lo que se ha documentado hasta hoy, en términos de impacto a la salud humana y el medio ambiente, suscita preocupaciones significativas. A esto se suman las preocupaciones relacionadas al impacto socio-económico y a los derechos humanos de los pequeños productores y productoras, quienes conforman la mayor parte de la población que padece hambre en el mundo. La protección especial de semillas adaptadas localmente, reconoce la importancia de la conservación local para mantener el máximo de diversidad genética. Algo cada vez más importante para para enfrentar con resiliencia el cambio climático. Adicionalmente, la ley es producto de la formulación de políticas desde abajo con apoyo institucional, al estilo “abajo-arriba”; resultado de un proceso de tres años en el cual movimientos sociales se opusieron a un proyecto de ley de semillas que tenía franco respaldo del sector agroindustrial. Contrariando los intereses de dichos sectores, estos movimientos presionaron para obtener una legislación más transformadora, y a través de una serie de consultas públicas-participativas en todo el país, desarrollaron esta alternativa.
La aprobación de la Ley marca una victoria histórica para los movimientos de agroecología y soberanía alimentaria en Venezuela y más allá. Es quizás una de las pocas leyes nacionales en el mundo que garantiza y protege el derecho de los campesinos a las semillas. Sin embargo, a pesar del amplio apoyo nacional y el interés internacional que ha cosechado, la ley está siendo atacada por representantes de la industria y sus seguidores por considerarla “anti-científica”. Esto coloca a la Ley de Semillas en riesgo de ser anulada por la Asamblea Nacional actual, la cual se constituye de una mayoría opositora, desde enero de este año.
Como científicos, profesionales y defensores involucrados en alimentación y agricultura, ponemos en duda y cuestionamos los fundamentos de estos ataques. La idea central de la Ley es priorizar las prácticas de agricultura agroecológica, sosteniéndose en el creciente consenso científico sobre la importancia de esta transición de la agricultura convencional a sistemas de agricultura basados en la ecología, que valoran los conocimientos de los productores y productoras locales y los involucran en la toma de decisiones. Esto ha sido enfatizado por ejemplo en la Evaluación Internacional del Papel del Conocimiento, la Ciencia y la Tecnología en el Desarrollo Agrícola (IAASTD por sus siglas en inglés) desarrollado por 400 destacados expertos mundiales y respaldado por 59 países.
Por lo tanto, estamos acompañando con mucho interés esta emergente lucha en defensa de la Ley de Semillas de diciembre del 2015 y su implementación, no solamente por sus implicaciones para Venezuela, sino también por todas las posibles implicaciones de mayor alcance, en un escenario donde ocurre una consolidación corporativa del acaparamiento de los recursos genéticos, tan necesarios para el presente y futuro de la seguridad y soberanía alimentaria. Apoyamos a los productores y productoras de alimentos, las y los científicos y los movimientos de base local que en Venezuela impulsan esta defensa y esta construcción, instando a la Asamblea Nacional a que mantenga la integridad de esta Ley y apoye su implementación plena.
Firmado:
Olivier De Schutter, Co-Chair, International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food), Former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food (2008-2014), Member of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Professor, University of Louvain, Belgium
Jack Kloppenburg, Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin-Madison and founder, Open Source Seed Initiative, USA
Sofia Monsalve, Secretary General, FIAN International
Frances Moore Lappé, Small Planet Institute, USA
Miguel Altieri, Professor, University of California Berkeley, USA
Fred Magdoff, Professor Emeritus, Plant and Soil Science, University of Vermont, USA
Philip McMichael, Professor, Cornell University, USA
Ian Scoones, Professor, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, UK
Eric Holt-Giménez, Food First/The Institute for Food and Development Policy, USA
Jan Douwe van der Ploeg, Professor, Wageningen University, Netherlands
Bernardo Mançano Fernandes, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Brazil
Gayatri Menon, Assistant Professor, Azim Premji University, India
Esteve Corbera, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
Frederick Mills, Professor, Bowie State University, USA
Anna Lappé, Small Planet Institute, USA
Jennifer Clapp, Canada Research Chair in Global Food Security and Sustainability and Professor, School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, University of Waterloo, Canada
Ivette Perfecto, Professor, School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan, USA
Juliette Majot, Executive Director, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, USA
Sophia Murphy, Researcher and Scholar, University of British Columbia, Canada
Alastair Iles, Professor, University of California Berkeley, USA
Susanna Hecht, Professor, Luskin School of Public Affairs and Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, UCLA, USA
Nettie Weibe, Farmer and Professor, St. Andrew’s College – University of Saskatchewan, Canada
Tamara Wattnam, M.Sc. in Agroecology and PhD candidate in Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
M. Jahi Chappell, PhD, Senior Research Fellow (as of August 2016), Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University, UK
Nora McKeon, Terra Nuova, Italy
Mindi Schneider, Assistant Professor, International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Netherlands
Rachel Bezner Kerr, Associate Professor, Department of Development Sociology, Cornell University, USA
Peter Newell, Professor of International Relations, University of Sussex, UK
Robin Broad, Professor, School of International Service, American University, USA
Tony Weis, Associate Professor, University of Western Ontario, Canada
John Vandermeer, Asa Gray Distinguished University Professor, University of Michigan, USA
Edmund Oh, Associate Professor, ELM Graduate School, HELP University, Malaysia
Jessica Duncan, Assistant Professor, Wageningen University, Netherlands
Josh Brem-Wilson, Research Fellow, Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University, UK
Laura Enríquez, Professor, Department of Sociology, University of California Berkeley, USA
Elizabeth Fitting, Graduate Coordinator & Associate Professor, Dalhousie University, USA
Sarah Lyon, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, University of Kentucky, USA
Simon Nicholson, Director of the Global Environmental Politics Program, American University, USA
Molly D. Anderson, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Food Studies at Middlebury College, USA
Brian Tokar, Lecturer in Environmental Studies, University of Vermont, USA
Dr Francisco Dominguez, Head of Latin American Studies, Middlesex University, London, UK
Marc Edelman, Professor of Anthropology, Hunter College & the Graduate Center, City University of New York, USA
Wendy Wolford, Polson Professor of Development Sociology, Cornell University, USA
Timothy A. Wise, Researcher, Global Development and Environment Institute, Tufts University, USA
Michel Pimbert, Professor, The Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience at Coventry University, UK
John Bellamy Foster, Professor, University of Oregon and Editor, Monthly Review, USA
Hannah Wittman, Associate Professor, Faculty of Land and Food Systems and Academic Director, Centre for Sustainable Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Canada
Jun Borras, Professor, International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Netherlands
Eva Frankova, Department of Environmental Studies, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Czech Republic
David Primrose, Department of Political Economy, University of Sydney, Australia
Stephen Bartlett, Agricultural Mission, USA
Dave Murphy, Food Democracy Now!, USA
Joan P Mencher, Emerita Professor, Anthropology, City University of New York (CUNY), USA
Anuradha Mittal, Executive Director, The Oakland Institute, USA
Dr. Charles Francis, University of Nebraska, USA
Natalia Mamonova, PhD Researcher, International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Netherlands
Sara Keene, PhD Candidate, Cornell University, USA
Huei-Ling Lai, PhD Researcher, International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Netherlands
Judith McGeary, Esq., Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, USA
Youjin Chung, PhD Candidate, Development Sociology, Cornell University, USA
Wittawat Prayookwong, alumnus, International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Netherlands
Shoshana Perrey, Graduate Student in Development Sociology at Cornell University and Gardener & Chef at Liberation Supper Club, USA
Arnim Scheidel, PhD, International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Netherlands
Lisa Stokke, Executive director, The Next 7 Project, USA
Pierre Merlet, AGTER, Nicaragua/France
Sharmini Selvarajah, Research Programme Manager, International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Netherlands
Amelie Huber, PhD Candidate, Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain
Elyse Mills, Researcher, International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Netherlands
Alberto Alonso-Fradejas, Transnational Institute (TNI), Netherlands & Instituto de Estudios Agrarios y Rurales (IDEAR), Guatemala
Tsegaye Moreda, PhD Candidate, International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Netherlands
Elizabeth Henderson, Organic Farmer, Peacework Organic CSA, Newark, New York, USA
Hana Bernardová, AMPI (Association of Local Food Systems), Czech Republic
Salena Tramel, PhD Researcher, International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Netherlands
Will Fantle, Co-director, The Cornucopia Institute, USA
Mercia Andrews, Rural Women’s Assembly, Southern Africa
Nancy Romer, Professor Emerita, Brooklyn College, City University of New York, USA
Grace Gershuny, Faculty, Green Mountain College, MS in Sustainable Food Systems, USA
Andrianna Natsoulas, Food Voices, USA
Martin Dagoberto, Mass. Right to Know GMOs, Massachusetts, USA
Ken Thesing, ICR, Rome, Italy
Eneko Garmendia, Ikerbasque Research Fellow, Spain
Ben McKay, International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Netherlands
Hannes Lammler, founding member of the European Cooperatives of Longo Mai, France
Amy & Bryan Willoughby, Patchwork Farm, Copper Hill, VA, USA
Russell Dale, Science and Society, USA
Angela Adrar, Ecohermanas, USA
Andrew Kang Bartlett, Food in Neighborhoods Community Coalition, USA
Tania Salerno, PhD Candidate, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
Marta Zygadło, Lawyer and Masters Student of Food, Society and International Food Governance at Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Spain
LaDonna Sanders Redmond, Campaign for Food and Community Justice Now, USA
Laurence Levine, Co-Founder, Kids Can Make a Difference, USA
Antonio Roman-Alcalá, Alumnus, International Institute of Social Studies, Netherlands, and founder, San Francisco Urban Agriculture Alliance, USA
Giulio Locco, Food Activist, Italy and Netherlands
Denise O’Brien, Farmer and Farmer Activist, USA
Jane Hodge, Rise & Root Farm, USA
Jose Oliva, Food Chain Workers Alliance, USA
Sarah Laeng-Gilliatt, Owner, Main Street Cheese LLC, USA
Monica Ibacache, Beyond Organic Design, USA
Christina M. Schiavoni, PhD Researcher, International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Netherlands
Madison Monty,Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, USA
Kelly Moltzen, Franciscan Action Network, USA
Annie Shattuck, Fellow, Food First, USA
Zainil Zainuddin, Local Food & Urban Agriculture Advocate/Researcher and PhD Candidate, RMIT University, Australia
Fern Gale Estrow, FGE Food & Nutrition Team, USA
Joann Lo, Food Chain Workers Alliance, USA
Denis Mpagaze, Journalist, Author, Lecturer and Right to Food Activist,Tanzania
Arnaud Apoteker, Coordinator of the International Monsanto Tribunal, France
Klara Kyralova, Friends of the Earth Czech Republic
John Wilson, African Food Sovereignty Activist
Yunan Xu, PhD Student, International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Netherlands
Karen Washington, Farmer, Rise & Root Farm, USA
Rev. Dele, Nature’s Friends, USA
Johanna Rosen, Community Organizer and Communications Specialist, Massachusetts, USA
Philip L Bereano, Professor Emeritus, Technology and Public Policy, University of Washington, USA
Claire Robinson, Editor, GMWatch, UK
Elsadig Elsheikh, Researcher, University of California Berkeley, USA
Dr. Laura Rival, Department of International Development, University of Oxford, UK
Cécile Famerée, International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Netherlands
Erika Allen, Growing Power – Chicago, USA
Shalmali Guttal, Focus on the Global South, India
Colleen Cordes, Director of Outreach and Development, The Nature Institute
Michael O’Callaghan, Director, Global Vision Foundation, Switzerland
Afsar Jafri, Focus on the Global South, India
Prof. Dr Arpad Pusztai, FRSE, formerly at the Rowett Research Institute, UK
Prof. Dr. Susan Bardocz, FRSE, formerly at the Rowett Research Institute, UK
Judith Hitchman, President, Urgenci International Network for Community Supported Agriculture
Catherine Ponte, Master of Landscape Architecture, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, USA
Margaret Nakato, Katosi Women Development Trust, Uganda
Simon Anoumou Todzro, West Africa Producers and Consumers Network
Gertrude Kenyangi Kabusimbi, Support for Women in Agriculture and Environment (SWAGEN), Uganda
Hannah Twomey, Alumnus University of Oxford, UK
Beatriz Gascó Verdier, Diputada en Corts Valencianes, Spain
Ivo Zdráhal, Associate Professor, Mendel University, Brno, Czech Republic
Scott Freeman, Professorial Lecturer, American University, USA
Laura Calvet-Mir, Associate Researcher, Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, UAB, Spain
Frank Ademba, Program Officer, MVIWATA- Kilimanjaro Network of Small Scale Farmers Groups in Tanzania
GRAIN
ETC Group
FIAN International
IFOAM – Organics international
Food First/The Institute for Food and Development Policy, USA
Alianza Biodiversidad, Latin America
Terra Nuova, Italy
La Red por una América Latina Libre de Transgénicos, Latin America
El Grupo Semillas, Colombia
La Red de Coordinación en Biodiversidad, Costa Rica
Sociedad Científica Latinoamericana de Agroecología (SOCLA), Latin America
National Family Farm Coalition, USA
Community Alliance for Global Justice, USA
Kenya Food Rights Alliance (KeFRA)
The Second Chance Foundation, USA
Rural Advancement Foundation International, USA
Food Empowerment Project, USA
Research Institute of Agriculture and Peasant Policy – Established by Korean Peasants League & Korean Women Peasant Association,South Korea
Global Justice Ecology Project
Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY), USA
Family Farm Defenders, USA
Rural Vermont, USA
Arid Crop Seed Cache, USA
Growth Partners Africa, Kenya
Movement Generation Justice and Ecology Project, Oakland, CA, USA
WhyHunger, USA
National Farmers Union/Union Nationale des Fermiers, Canada
The Oakland Institute, USA
GMWatch, UK
Border Agricultural Workers Project, El Paso, Texas, USA
Community to Community Development, USA
Hawai`i SEED, the Island Chain of Hawai`i
The MOM Hui, the Island Chain of Hawai`i
GMO Free Kaua`i, Kaua`i, Hawai`i
The NETWORK for Sustainable Development Organization, Thailand
African Centre for Biodiversity, South Africa and Tanzania
Food Sovereignty Ghana, Ghana
Pan-Africanist International, Belgium
USC Canada
Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association (OSGATA), USA
Friends of the ATC, USA/Europe/Nicaragua
Red de Semillas “Resembrando e Intercambiando”, Spain
Washington Biotechnology Action Council, Seattle, Washington, USA
Roughwood Seed Collection, Devon, PA, USA
Philadelphia Seed Exchange, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN), Canada
Farmworker Association of Florida, USA
Becket Films, USA
CONAMUCA (Confederación Nacional de Mujeres Campesinas), Dominican Republic
Focus on the Global South, Thailand
Urgenci International Network for Community Supported Agriculture
JINUKUN, National Network for Sustainable Management of Genetic Resources, Cotonou, Benin (Focal Point of the Coalition to Protect African Genetic Heritage, COPAGEN)
Friends of the Earth Australia Friends of the Earth Australia
Semillas de Vida, México
Via Organica, Mexico
Para mas información visite: http://semillasdelpueblovzla.blogspot.com/2016/05/investigadores-y-academicos-de-28.html
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