Addressing the challenges of biodiversity loss, world food supply and intellectual property rights
Germany: The 1st IFOAM breeding diversity conference

The First International IFOAM Conference on Organic Animal and Plant Breeding will take place from August 25-28, 2009 at the new Convention Center in Santa Fé, New Mexico. More than 200 leading organic players from 36 countries are expected to actively participate in the debate on Organic Breeding and Biodiversity. Three days full of information, discussion and networking opportunities!

"The program aims at making the diverse voices of Organic Breeding heard," says Richard Bernard, a member of the Program Committee. Leading scientists, activists, farmers and breeders will be coming together both to share the latest findings and exchange knowledge passed down through generations in 2 panel discussions, 6 morning keynotes, 14 scientific paper sessions and 15 workshops.

Voices of the keynote speakers:

Vandana Shiva: "The IFOAM Conference on Organic Animal and Plant Breeding is vital in the contemporary context. The Organic Breeding of Biodiversity, which has been the basis of food security, is threatened by Genetic Engineering, which does not qualify as breeding. The disappearance of biodiversity means the erosion of food security, especially in times of climate change. This Breeding Diversity Conference can help ensure the conservation of the Biodiversity of the planet, as well as secure the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers." Vandana Shiva will speak at the public Opening Ceremony on Tuesday, August 25, 2009.

Miguel Altieri: "Breeding for organic farming and rescuing traditional plant or animal varieties is fundamental to developing the genetic base for a sovereign agriculture that will produce food for everyone in an era of climate change, peak oil and food crisis."

Reviving traditional knowledge and linking it to current organic research
IFOAM invites the Organic Movement to join the debate on Biodiversity Loss and Intellectual Property Rights at the Breeding Diversity Conference, and to help strengthen Organic Breeding and preserve the genetic pool for future generations!

To register as a participant or a member of the press, please go to the IFOAM Breeding Diversity Conference homepage:

http://www.ifoam.org/breeding-diversity-conference.html

Contact:
Zoe Heuschkel
Tel: +49 (0) 228 92 650 12
Fax: +49 (0) 228 92 650 99
conference@ifoam.org

Publication date: 7/14/2009

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