THE EDITOR, Sir:
WHERE ARE our companies that produce fertilisers, animal feeds, agricultural chemicals and seeds? What kind of control over our food production can we have whilst having to import these absolutely essential agricultural inputs?
Based on Part II, article (27) of the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights, of the World Trade Organisation, members can patent any new varieties of plants, animals or seeds developed. Despite the immortality of patenting life it is done nonetheless. We are hoping that when this section comes up for review it will be objected to and discontinued. Transnational Corporations control more than 74% of biotechnology patents, and through emphasis on genetically modified seeds/plants are extending the control over food production and distribution. Patent holders will require payment of royalties and permission may have to be sought by farmers to re-plant seeds for the next crop, contrary to what they are accustomed to.
Without producing our own fertilisers, animal feed, our own agricultural chemicals and seeds our farmers are soon to become like factory workers in a factory called Jamaica owned by one or maybe a combination of Transnational Corporations; small farmers will not survive, neither will multi-crop farming. If our animals are eating the same feeds, which we import, as the animals that are developing various diseases all over the world and passing them on to humans, then ... To truly 'Eat Jamaican' we must eat the products whose seeds are produced here. Breeding, propagation, processing, pollination take place here, using local materials. We have animals that are bred here and fed with locally produced animal feeds. Are we working towards this?
I am etc.,
CARLTON STEWART
Vice President
National Consumers League
