Contents

List of figures and tables viii

About the author ix

Preface x

Acknowledgements xiii

Table of cases xv

Table of legislation, statutes and international conventions xvi

List of acronyms and abbreviations xix

1 Introduction: harvesting the benefits of the commons to

grow a food secure world 1

2 A history of the seed international regulatory setting 24

3 Challenges in the exchange of PGRFA to reward the

custodians of agrobiodiversity and promote innovation 51

4 The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for

Food and Agriculture: a legal analysis 71

5 Seeds and people: a stakeholder’s analysis of the Treaty 139

6 Inspiring an effective Plant Treaty with the ‘theory of the

commons’ 167

7 Conclusion: redesigning a global seed commons 217

Bibliography 225

Index 264

Figures and tables

Figures

3.1 Appropriation of seeds 54

6.1 Quadrant of the economic classification of goods 171

Tables

5.1 Synopsis of stakeholders’ objectives, positions and strategies 158

5.2 List of constraints identified by Treaty stakeholders 160

6.1 Treaty topics, conceptual constraints and relevant commons

invariable principles 194

7.1 Summary table of recommendations 218