International Solidarity Caravan for Seed Freedom starts in Europe in April at the initiative of Greek farmers. The aim is wider publicity and attracting supporters of free trade with seeds of agricultural crops. A directive proposed in the past year in the EC envisages allowing the trade, exchange and sowing of certified seeds only.

Against the monopoly of the world's largest producers of seeds
"The caravan of seeds" aims to attract public attention in order to influence the decision of the Council of EU Ministers in favor of free trade in seeds. Seed certification is an expensive procedure that will leave outside the market traditional local varieties of fruit and vegetables, often with much better taste than those grown from seeds produced by global companies. Large corporations such as Monsanto, Astra Zeneca, Bayer, Syngenta dominate 60 percent of the current EC list of approved seeds. "The directive will even make free exchange of seeds among amateur gardeners impossible, says Dr. Katya Uzundzhalieva of the Institute of Plant Genetic Resources in Sadovo.
 
Buffalo heart tomato variety 
In Bulgaria upcoming regulations gained popularity in the press as a directive aimed against the tasty "buffalo heart" tomato variety. These traditional giant tomatoes with characteristic shape, grown in Bulgarian villages will become illegal to grow. This will be also valid for a great number of Bulgarian fruit and vegetables, the result of centuries of selection, carried out by generations of Bulgarian horticulturists.

International Solidarity Caravan for Seeds starts on April 27 from Greece
The idea for organizing the event came from Greek farmers and the Peliti seed center. Greek farmers in the village of Mesohori traditionally organize a free exchange of seeds on the first Saturday after Easter. On April 26 the 14th national event for free seed exchange will take place there. On the next day the caravan, organized by people who care about the preservation of agricultural biodiversity will start. On April 28, farmers will arrive in Ancona, Italy, and then will take part in the festival of seeds and free trade with them in Florence. Until May 4 the caravan will be in France to take part in the European seed festival - Journees Internationales de la Semence, organized by the Kokopelli Association. Participants will go across southern Europe carrying their message for preserving free trade and exchange of seeds. Those who wish to take part in the event can contact caravan@peliti.gr The Seed Freedom Global Movement and the Navdanya Movement will also join the initiative.

English version: Alexander Markov