Fight Terminator Technology!

The livesimply project calls us to examine our lifestyles and take action to   stand in solidarity with the struggles of poor people around the world.  We are challenged to make a promise that will positively affect poor people's lives. Today, you can translate that promise into action - by endorsing the livesimply campaign against Terminator technology, launched by Progressio on World Food Day, October 16th.

Terminator technology is the genetic modification of plants to make them produce sterile seeds - meaning farmers cannot reuse seeds from their crops for future harvests. 

These seeds are being developed by multi-national biotechnology companies and Progressio is concerned that the real aim behind the development of terminator seeds is to maximise the profits of seed companies. If terminator seeds are commercialised the livelihoods of 1.4 billion farmers, who depend on farm-saved seeds to feed themselves and their families, will be deeply affected. This technology would force them to re-buy seeds year after year making them poorer!

Threat to the environment

Terminator technology also threatens biodiversity and the environment. Biotechnology companies claim that terminator will 'prevent contamination' of non-GM crops with GM crops. But while Terminator technology is designed to keep the seeds from crossbreeding with neighbouring crops and contaminating them, in reality this cannot be guaranteed. 

With Terminator technology, there is the fear that sterility may be passed on to neighbouring crops.  This means that without purchasing terminator seeds, farmers could find their whole crops sterile, and be left without seeds to plant for the future.

Progressio is urging all livesimply members and supporters to stand in solidarity with poor farmers and to campaign against Terminator technology. 

Support the ban

There is a current ban on the field testing and commercialisation of Terminator seeds which will be revised at the next meeting of the UN's Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) in May 2008.  Progressio wants the ban to be maintained and strengthened and to make sure that this happens we need your help. 

Please ask for a seed packet and sign and send the inserted letter to your MP. The letter urges your MP to ensure that the UK government does all in its power so that the ban on Terminator technology is maintained at the Convention negotiations next year.

Visit http://www.seedsaver.org.uk/ for information on how you can become a campaigner, order seed packets that can be mailed to your MP or simply read more about what farmers around the world are doing to save seeds and fight Terminator technology.