Pro-GMO multinationals indirectly manage the Svalbard seed bank
By Denis MESHAKA
Published on the 04/12/2024
http://infogm.org/en/pro-gmo-multinationals-indirectly-manage-the-svalbard-seed-bank/
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault (Svalbard, Norway), often nicknamed the “seed vault“, plays a special role in preserving genetic biodiversity. Its main mission, focused on the long-term conservation of seed samples, is officially to preserve the diversity of plant genetic resources and ensure their accessibility in the event of disasters. However, a closer look at how it works reveals the considerable influence and interests of pro-GMO players in its governance. Who will really benefit from Svalbard, the multinationals or the farmers?
On 22 October, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault (Svalbard, Norway) welcomed over 30,000 new seed samples from 21 countries. This news provides an opportunity to revisit the sometimes controversial workings of this global seed vault located on the island of Spitsbergen, halfway between Norway and the North Pole. This geographical location was chosen for the conditions required for long-term seed conservation. Opened in 2008, Svalbard’s official aim is to preserve millions of seed samples from a very large number of crop species and to ensure that they are available to those who supplied them in the event of natural or man-made disasters. For example, Icarda, which used to manage the Syrian seed bank, recovered samples that it had deposited in Svalbard in 2011 following the military conflicts that had threatened them, and sent them to Morocco and Lebanon, where it transferred its research activities in 2015i.
Functioning and governance of Svalbard
Svalbard operates under a tripartite agreement between the Norwegian government, the Nordic Centre for Genetic Resources (NordGen) and the Crop Trust, a private organisation comprising governments, foundations and private companies forming a “Donor Council” (seediagram below). Although Norway owns the Seed Vault, the… => to read the full article, see http://infogm.org/en/pro-gmo-multinationals-indirectly-manage-the-svalbard-seed-bank/
