According to information released by the European Union Delegation to Madagascar on its Facebook page, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and the four Indian Ocean island states—Comoros, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Madagascar—is set to be signed on Wednesday, June 10, in Mauritius.
However, to our knowledge, neither Malagasy civil society organizations nor farmers’ organizations have been involved in the preparation of this agreement since 2022 (1).
A major risk warrants being brought to the attention of the general public. The countries that have signed this agreement could be directly affected by the new provisions the European Union plans to introduce soon. These measures risk having serious consequences for the right to food, as well as for the rights of farmers to freely use, save, select, protect, and exchange their seeds. They could also strengthen corporate claims regarding intellectual property rights over seeds.
These concerns are currently at the heart of mobilization efforts by numerous European and African organizations. At the European Forum for Food Justice, held in Brussels on June 9, 2026, several NGOs had already raised alarms regarding the potential dangers of these provisions and their consequences for the countries that would sign the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs).
What measures is the European Union seeking to promote?
For many years, major seed companies and powerful economic groups have been pressuring policymakers around the world to impose stricter regulations that limit farmers’ rights to produce, save, exchange, and protect their own seeds (2).
In practical terms, the aim is to progressively transform seeds into private property owned by companies or holders of exclusive rights. Farmers would then be required to pay royalties whenever they wished to use certain seeds protected by intellectual property rights.
Such a shift would significantly increase agricultural production costs. Farmers unable to produce their own seeds would become dependent on seed companies. This situation would further jeopardize their incomes and lead to higher food prices for the general population.
The consequences would be severe: worsening food insecurity and the undermining of Madagascar’s food sovereignty.
Among the bodies advocating for this model is UPOV (International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants), an intergovernmental organization that promotes a system of enhanced protection for the rights of plant breeders. For several years, peasant and citizen movements worldwide have opposed this approach and denounced its impact on farmers’ rights (3).
For the freedom of Malagasy producers to use their own seeds and for everyone’s right to affordable food
The people of Madagascar are not alone in the fight to protect peasant and traditional seeds. Today, this movement involves populations and organizations across many countries.
In Madagascar, we believe it is essential to strengthen the protection of farmers’ rights to seeds and to defend national food sovereignty.
* the Malagasy authorities to make the content of the Economic Partnership Agreement public prior to any signing;
* Madagascar’s representatives to refrain from signing any provisions regarding seeds, food, or intellectual property rights without prior consultation with farmers’ organizations and civil society;
* that local seeds remain a common heritage and are not transformed into private property belonging to individuals or companies;
* that farmers retain the right to freely choose the seeds they wish to use, in accordance with international conventions protecting their rights (4);
* that farmers be able to continue developing their traditional knowledge and practices without being compelled to purchase industrial seeds (5);
* that public authorities, decision-makers, and international partners uphold the Malagasy people’s right to food and food sovereignty by rejecting the new measures envisaged by the European Union.
This statement and these demands are based on currently available information. They may evolve in light of any new information made public regarding the actual content of the Economic Partnership Agreement.
These requirements will remain valid regardless of which international partner wishes to conclude an agreement with Madagascar.
05 June 2026
Signatories
– Centre de Recherches et d’Appui pour les Alternatives de Développement – CRAAD-OI
– CNAF – Comité National pour l’Agriculture Familiale
– Collectif pour la défense des terres malgaches – TANY
– Association FAFAMA MORAMANGA
– FARM – Femme en Action Rurale de Madagascar
– FEKRITAMA – Confédération des Agriculteurs
Malgaches
– FVTM – Fivondronan’ny Vehivavy Tantsaha eto Madagasikara – Observatoire de la Jeunesse
– PLATEFORME REGIONALE SOCIETE CIVILE ALAOTRA MANGORO – Organisation Paysanne AKOTRY
– RJDD – Réseau des Jeunes pour le Développement Durable – Tantsaha Mivoatsy
References
(1) https://terresmalgaches.info/collectif-tany-souverainete-alimentaire-madagascar-accords-partenariat-economique/
(2) https://grain.org/en/article/5314-upov-91-and-other-seed-laws-a-basic-primer-on-how-companies-intend-to-control-and-monopolise-seeds
(3) https://www.apbrebes.org/news/open-letter-no-upov-eu-esa-epa
(4) https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-economic-social-and-cultural-rights,
– International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)
– United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas (UNDROP)
(5) Geneva Graduate Institute, State of Farmers’ Rights to Seeds in the World, A systematic review of national regulations in Kenya, Rwanda, Madagascar and Colombia