Russian seed bank of extra-rare seeds about to get demolished for a private housing development

Plot Device · Aug 20, 2010

But then! The power of Twitter comes to the rescue!

It seems that not even the UN was able to stop a group of greedy Russian capitalists with their plans to demolish this seed collection and build housing. But Twitter saved the day! (Well ... or at least delayed the inevitable.)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/aug/16/russia-president-pavolvsk-twitter

Russia launches inquiry into Pavlovsk seed bank after Twitter campaign

President Dmitry Medvedev orders immediate inquiry into potential destruction of world's oldest seed bank

John Vidal, environment editor
guardian.co.uk, Monday 16 August 2010 17.03 BST

The Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev, has ordered an immediate inquiry into the potential destruction of the world's oldest seed bank following a court case and a Twitter campaign by Guardian readers and others.

The fate of the station appeared to be sealed last week when a court ruled in favour of the Pavlovsk research station and its surrounding farmland being turned into private housing. It holds the world's largest fruit collections and was protected by 12 Russian scientists during the second world war who chose to starve to death rather than eat the unique collection of seeds and plants which they were guarding during the 900-day siege of Leningrad.

More than 90% of the plants are found in no other research collection or seed bank. Its seeds and berries are thought to posess traits that could be crucial to maintaining productive fruit harvests in many parts of the world as climate change and a rising tide of disease, pests and drought weaken the varieties farmers now grow....

[snip]

icerose · Aug 20, 2010

If they transfer the plants and seeds to somewhere else, then no problem but if they were going to completely wipe it out I'd have to scream. It's amazing to think that those plants are important enough that twelve scientists chose to starve to death rather than obliterate these species then some land developer wanted to basically bulldoze it.

What I want to know is why aren't seeds like these available to buy? Take them off that rare list especially if they're so vital to the future.

Don · Aug 20, 2010

Monsanto would have a cow, ice. Heirloom seeds are being systematically stamped out.

billythrilly7th · Aug 20, 2010

i love cherry tomatoes

icerose · Aug 20, 2010

Don said:
Monsanto would have a cow, ice. Heirloom seeds are being systematically stamped out.

I know which is ridiculous. They're going to destroy our entire food system if heirloom seeds disappear.

Don · Aug 20, 2010

icerose said:
I know which is ridiculous. They're going to destroy our entire food system if heirloom seeds disappear.

If they get to keep writing the legislation, it'll happen.

Zoombie · Aug 20, 2010

Good for the people delaying this idiocy until we can do something as shocking as...MOVING THE SEEDS!

Plot Device · Aug 20, 2010

They say it'll take years to move the seeds.

icerose said:
If they transfer the plants and seeds to somewhere else, then no problem but if they were going to completely wipe it out I'd have to scream. It's amazing to think that those plants are important enough that twelve scientists chose to starve to death rather than obliterate these species then some land developer wanted to basically bulldoze it.

What I want to know is why aren't seeds like these available to buy? Take them off that rare list especially if they're so vital to the future.

Zoombie said:
Good for the people delaying this idiocy until we can do something as shocking as...MOVING THE SEEDS!

From the article in the OP:

As it is predominantly a field collection, Pavlovsk cannot be moved. Experts estimate that even if another site were available nearby, it would take many years to relocate the plants.

Relocating ANY old plants from anywhere in the world usually means a pecentage will die in the transfer. And THESE plants are an entire eco-system unto itself. To move them will likely mean they need to be sent off to a very close-by location with similar temperatures, soil and moisture, etc.

I say leave well enough alone. If 12 scientists gave their lives for this field, then the sacrifice of those 12 scientists should be matched by the equivalent[/sarcasm] sacrifice of these private houses.

Plot Device · Aug 20, 2010

Don said:
If they get to keep writing the legislation, it'll happen.

Zoombie · Aug 20, 2010

Ah yes, then it is even more vital that they don't do anything fucktarded, like try and move a valuable ecosystem.

icerose · Aug 20, 2010

Agreed, they need to just leave them alone.

Russian seed bank of extra-rare seeds about to get demolished for a private housing development

Plot Device

A woman said to write like a man.

icerose

Lost in School Work

Don

All Living is Local

billythrilly7th

icerose

Lost in School Work

Don

All Living is Local

Zoombie

Dragon of the Multiverse

Plot Device

A woman said to write like a man.

Plot Device

A woman said to write like a man.

Zoombie

Dragon of the Multiverse

icerose

Lost in School Work