Church organisations urge just European Union Seed Law to protect farmers and biodiversity

Accra, 13 March 2026 – A coalition of Christian organisations and development agencies has called on European Union (EU) policymakers to ensure that the proposed EU law on Plant Reproductive Material (PRM) protects farmers’ rights, biodiversity and global food security, particularly in Africa and other regions of the Global South.

In a joint letter addressed to European Parliament Rapporteur Herbert Dorfmann, European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi, and EU agriculture ministers, the organisations expressed concern over the ongoing Trilogue negotiations on the PRM Regulation. They warned that EU seed legislation could have significant global consequences, especially for smallholder farmers who rely on traditional seed systems.

The signatories include the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council, the World Council of Churches, CIDSE, ACT Alliance EU, Brot für die Welt, Caritas Europa, Caritas Africa, Caritas MONA, the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace Harare, the European Christian Environmental Network, and Swiss Church Aid.

Farmers’ rights to seeds

Through their partnerships with local communities across Africa, the organisations highlighted that farmers’ rights to save, exchange and sell seeds are essential for maintaining local biodiversity and ensuring resilient food systems. These rights are particularly important for Africa’s small-scale farmers, who depend on locally adapted seeds for sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.

The coalition noted that farmers’ rights to seeds are recognised under international frameworks such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (UNDROP).

The organisations therefore urged EU policymakers to adopt legislation that allows farmers to freely exchange plant reproductive material, supports agrobiodiversity, and ensures transparent governance of seed systems. They stressed that a fair EU seed law would strengthen food security and uphold farmers’ rights not only in Europe but also in Africa and worldwide.

SECAM News

Download the joint letter below:

PRM-Trilogue-letter-by-FBOs-11-3-2026