Traditional seeds and biodiversity : Which legal regulations? The Colombian case ; Semences traditionnelles et biodiversité : Quelle (s) régulation(s) juridique (s) ? Le cas colombien

In Colombia, different generations of farmers from indigenous communities, groups and local organizations preserve their practices of selection, conservation, reproduction and exchange of native seeds. Such practices have allowed them to secure their food and contribute to the maintenance of biodiversity. Since 1996, the FAO acknowledged the role of the farmer in the conservation of biodiversity. In the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) presented in 2018, they highlighted the need to promote the conservation in situ of biodiversity in Origin and genetic diversity centers. Therefore, the CBD should consider the protection of native seeds as a tool to preserve grown biodiversity. The field result of this doctoral investigation shows that there is real protection of biodiversity through the means of native seeds preservation, which matches economic, legal and institutional obstacles insisted upon by the agricultural model in place. The need to adapt the legal frame and strengthen the conservation of traditional practices to prevent the loss of native seeds is imminent. Colombia is the example that opens the window to evaluate the necessary conditions to apply legal protection for native seeds, which may also secure biodiversity maintenance. The distinctive features of Colombian biological wealth demand integrated protection of biodiversity with a biocultural approach in favor of indigenous and local communities, as well as humanity itself. The Colombian case illustrates all the matters, challenges and consequences of the difficulty of protecting a sustainable and local agricultural production mode of the industrial agricultural model of international markets. ; En Colombie, plusieurs générations de paysans des communautés autochtones, des groupes indigènes et des organisations locales préservent leurs pratiques de sélection, conservation, reproduction et échange de semences traditionnelles. Ces pratiques ont permis d’assurer leur alimentation et de contribuer au maintien de la ...