The Great Island (Madagascar) has just signed an expanded economic partnership agreement with the European Union. However, tucked between the lines is a ‘vicious’ clause.
It could jeopardize the livelihoods of millions of farmers. A week before the signing, several collectives had already raised the alarm regarding the UPOV 91 provision. This is an international treaty that establishes strong intellectual property rights over new plant varieties.
In other words, this provision formally prohibits farmers from freely exchanging, giving away, or reselling their seeds, as the Great Island has now become a full-fledged trading partner of the European Union.
Several associations defending farmers’ rights and food sovereignty are challenging these provisions. “We demand that the State disclose the clauses of the new economic partnership agreement with the European Union before it is signed,” stated the Youth Network for Sustainable Development (Réseau des jeunes pour le développement durable).
Zo Randriamaro, president of CRAAD-OI, spoke on Radio France Internationale to raise these points, which have been shrouded in mystery. “If the European Union succeeds and imposes the signing of UPOV 91 on Madagascar, it will potentially have a devastating impact on the farmers’ right to food, particularly their right to select, use, and save seeds of their own choosing,” she indicated a week before the signing of the new expanded economic partnership agreement in Mauritius.
The seed treaty is the subject of immense international controversy. It is viewed by many countries in the Global South, agricultural unions, and NGOs as a form of economic and technological colonization.
In some countries that accepted UPOV 91 to sign a trade deal, waves of massive protests forced governments to backtrack, notably in Chile with the ‘Monsanto Law’ and in Guatemala with the ‘DuPont Law’.
As for the Great Island, it signed the expanded economic partnership agreement with the EU in Mauritius last week. Authorities welcomed this new step in the commercial relationship between Brussels and several Indian Ocean countries.
Itamara Otton
Captured & Published at: 2026-06-20 07:30:15 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/06/des-milliers-de-familles-sur-la-sellette.html