French Organic Seed Company Fined for Selling "Illegal Seeds"

"Association Kokopelli, which is a French independent organic seed saving and selling organisation was fined €35,000, last week, after being taken to court by corporate seed merchant Baumaux.

Association Kokopelli were found guilty of selling traditional and rare seed varieties, which were not on the official EU-approved list. Such seeds are deemed illegal to sell on the grounds that it gives the seller an “unfair trading advantage”.

Dominique GuilletThe European Commission met this week to draft the new legislation for seed control, which is planned for 2009, and the case of Association Kokopelli being found guilty sets a dangerous precedent and will potentially further restrict the geographic movement and range of crop varieties."

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