Saving the Seed

Genetic diversity and European agriculture

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Law, Natural Resources
Cover of the book Saving the Seed by Renee Vellve, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Renee Vellve ISBN: 9781134063376
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: November 5, 2013
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Renee Vellve
ISBN: 9781134063376
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: November 5, 2013
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Genetic diversity is essential to the security of agriculture. Without the availability of a wide range of plant varieties and the genetic resources they contain, crops cannot adapt to combat the ever-changing threats of pests, diseases and climatic change. Yet, with the increasing industrialisation of modern agriculture, farming has become a business which centres on a handful of new, genetically similar 'super seeds'. Plants must evolve in order to survive, but modern agriculture has replaced diversity with uniformity, and security with vulnerability.

Saving the Seed traces the decline of crop varieties in European farming and describes what is being done to safeguard genetic resources for the future. Conservation efforts by government and industry suffer from serious drawbacks, with wrangles over ownership and control of resources. The crucial work is being done by individuals and grassroots organisations, who largely go unrecognised and under-resourced. What is urgently needed are sound policies to promote the diversification of agriculture and an integrated strategy for safeguarding the genetic base of our food system. Saving the Seed contains the most up-to-date information available on genetic resources in Europe and on those working to save them. Renee Vellve is a researcher at GRAIN, a no-governmental organisation working to promote the sustainable conservation and use of genetic diversity, based on grassroots approaches to genetic resources management. Originally published in 1992

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Genetic diversity is essential to the security of agriculture. Without the availability of a wide range of plant varieties and the genetic resources they contain, crops cannot adapt to combat the ever-changing threats of pests, diseases and climatic change. Yet, with the increasing industrialisation of modern agriculture, farming has become a business which centres on a handful of new, genetically similar 'super seeds'. Plants must evolve in order to survive, but modern agriculture has replaced diversity with uniformity, and security with vulnerability.

Saving the Seed traces the decline of crop varieties in European farming and describes what is being done to safeguard genetic resources for the future. Conservation efforts by government and industry suffer from serious drawbacks, with wrangles over ownership and control of resources. The crucial work is being done by individuals and grassroots organisations, who largely go unrecognised and under-resourced. What is urgently needed are sound policies to promote the diversification of agriculture and an integrated strategy for safeguarding the genetic base of our food system. Saving the Seed contains the most up-to-date information available on genetic resources in Europe and on those working to save them. Renee Vellve is a researcher at GRAIN, a no-governmental organisation working to promote the sustainable conservation and use of genetic diversity, based on grassroots approaches to genetic resources management. Originally published in 1992

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Safety and Security in Tourism by Renee Vellve
Cover of the book Expedition Medicine by Renee Vellve
Cover of the book Climate Change and Agriculture in India by Renee Vellve
Cover of the book Time, Process and Structured Transformation in Archaeology by Renee Vellve
Cover of the book Energy and the Social Sciences by Renee Vellve
Cover of the book Heroic Diplomacy by Renee Vellve
Cover of the book Film Marketing by Renee Vellve
Cover of the book Kemalism in Turkish Politics by Renee Vellve
Cover of the book Consuming Books by Renee Vellve
Cover of the book Ireland's Independence: 1880-1923 by Renee Vellve
Cover of the book The Philosophy of Money by Renee Vellve
Cover of the book New Perspectives on CALL for Second Language Classrooms by Renee Vellve
Cover of the book Encyclopedia of World Political Systems by Renee Vellve
Cover of the book The Philosophy of Social Research by Renee Vellve
Cover of the book Wittgenstein, Theory and the Arts by Renee Vellve
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy