Defending Seed Sovereignty and the Future of Irish Farming

Talamh Beo is calling for urgent action to protect the right of farmers and gardeners to grow, save, and exchange seeds.

As the European Union enters the final “trilogue” negotiations on the Plant Reproductive Material (PRM) Regulation and moves toward a final vote on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), the foundations of agroecology and food sovereignty in Ireland are under threat.

The Threat to Seed Diversity (PRM Regulation)

The upcoming PRM Regulation could criminalise or over-regulate the traditional practices of saving and exchanging seeds. We believe that seed diversity is a public good, not a corporate commodity. To ensure a resilient food system, the EU must:

• Ensure Conservation: Allow for the conservation of plant genetic resources for direct use and breeding without restrictive barriers.
• Guarantee Farmers’ Rights: Protect the right of farmers to exchange seeds freely.
• Support Regional Supply: Enable a diversified, regional seed supply that is fit for local climates and agroecological farming.
• Remove Red Tape: Exempt nano-enterprises and small-scale producers from heavy administrative burdens that only suit industrial seed giants.

The Threat of Deregulated GMOs (NGTs)

The European Parliament will soon vote on the deregulation of GMOs obtained through “New Genomic Techniques.” This proposal threatens to remove labeling and safety checks, leading to irreversible consequences for agrobiodiversity and the integrity of organic and agroecological farming.

Furthermore, the issue of patents on these seeds creates a trap for farmers, increasing corporate control over the very first link in our food chain.

Our Call to Action

We are calling on Irish MEPs to stand with farmers and citizens, not agribusiness lobbyists. We demand:

1. Purpose-based exemptions for the exchange of seeds between farmers and gardeners.
2. A single, inclusive definition for conservation varieties.
3. The rejection of NGT deregulation to protect our fields from GMO contamination and patent infringement.

How You Can Help

We urge our members and supporters to contact their relevant MEPs before the key dates in April and May 2026.

Ask them directly: Will you vote to protect the right of Irish farmers to save their own seeds and keep our food system GMO-free?

Further Information:

• ECVC Position on PRM Reform
• Arche Noah Briefing on Seed Diversity

Talamh Beo: Land, People, Community.