NationStates Jolt Archive

Dear Nationstates members,
I have submitted a United Nations proposal called "Global Seed Bank" and I am asking you to endorse it so that it can become a resolution. To find this proposal, click on the United Nations tab and then click, list proposals. Scroll to the bottom and search "Global Seed Bank" and you shall find it.
--Thank you for your time, from Trinea

It would be more polite to submit your proposal here in the UN forum, and wait for experienced delegates to take a look before you submit it and start the necessary TG campagin.

Global Seed Bank
A resolution to increase the quality of the world's environment, at the expense of industry.


Category: Environmental
Industry Affected: All Businesses
Proposed by: Trinea

Description: -BELIEVING the importance of crop diversity in the world

-NOTING the fact that global warming is an international issue.

-DECLARING the importance of creating an international seed storage facility as an attempt to record and maintain the diversity of plant life around the globe.

-ISSUING a statement declaring that all U.N. nations must collaborate with the United Nations in order to achieve maximum plant diversity in storage.

-CONSTRUCTING a vault in a geographically sound and politically stable location in order to preserve the integrity of the seed bank.

-ESTABLISHING a bureau of scientists to maintain and run the facility, funded and protected by the United Nations.

-ASSERTING that no single nation should be allowed to seize the vault in the event of an international crisis.

Approvals: 29 (Ellenburg, Ransium, Maxtoria, Wylers, WZ Forums, The Artic Republics, Gustenian, Fruity Oat, Istrians, Graalium, The hit men, Jake and Elwood Blues, Quintessence of Dust, Hollowmenphobia, Minyos, Crapooza, The Digital Network, Alpacadom, Ruritania, Ventei, DesMonies, Great Sanfordia, East Hylia, Filth-y Hippies, Cenire, Haroutito, Sarkra, --Randy Orton--, Koshlandia)

Status: Lacking Support (requires 74 more approvals)

Voting Ends: Mon Feb 11 2008

For the 'establish' portion, you might want to use the United Nations Enviromental Agency (a pre-existing commitee that deals with the environment). But, otherwise, hm, I see no real problem. Except for the 'assert'. (If there is an international crisis, maybe I might want to use those seeds to save me?)

Come up with some sort of framework of when we can actually use the Global Seed Bank (refer it to the UNEA to decide when to use it), and, well, it looks okay. But you know, that's just nit-picky.

Today's Catawaban Guest Ambassador was the Secretary for Agriculture, Mr. Andrew Mickelson, best know for his discovery of a mutation of trifurcated corn in his local supermarket no less. A rather, nervous stooping figure, Mr. Mickelson looked about the Floor of the United Nations. This was new. He was used giving lectures at the University of Graceland. Hopefully, these ambassadors wouldn't be more of a pain. He looked around his table for something. When he didn't find it, he glanced back at Mr. Churchill. "Umm...you wouldn't happen to have a Powerpoint projector..would you?"

Churchill smiled apologetically and shook his head. Mickelson frowned. "Oh...I'd feel better with Powerpoint...okay, I guess I can do with out it...did used to lecture with slides and a chaulk board..." The stooping doctor of paleobontany cleared his throat. "Um...hello. I'm Doctor Andrew Mickelson. The Miraade...umm...asked me to speak before you. Catawaba supports this proposal wholeheartedly. We, however, think that the mention of 'global warming' is left hanging there and has nothing to do with the rest of the proposal. Catawaba also supports the views of Dr. Bob in...umm...outlining the use of the seed vault. A repository in order to protect biodeversity that nations cannot draw from is merely a seed museum."

OOC: I like the basic idea, but how would the passage of this resolution hinder 'All Industries'? You do realise that passing an 'Environmental: All Industries' resolution would inflict a serious reduction on the UN member-nations' economies, yes? Why would setting up a seed-bank do that? Could this proposal possibly be reclassified, somehow, into a less damaging category?

Agregorn is somewhat against the idea. Our departments of agriculture maintain their own plant and animal genetic information for the purpose of producing higher yielding crops that are both profitable and sustainable. Biodiversity is a key part of the private business model. It is law that all food manufacturers outline a chemical detail of their substances, for purposes of public health (we wouldn't want a company supplementing fruit with heroine in an attempt to increase sales). This is overseen by a handful of organizations that test the final product for chemicals, and then sell this information to the public.

Now, though we want to encourage free trade of the final product, there is nothing saying that organizations would need to expose their actual crop. This includes both genetically modified organisms and the more natural ones (kept often as a base material). This law would mean that companies would loose an edge needlessly, where it is in the best interest of the company and the public to keep this information private.

We will only stand behind this if other nations or organizations would not have access to the deposited. In essence, this seed bank would need to be like a regular bank in that it would have many people with secure accounts and exclusive access to the contents of said accounts. We'd like to see more of a safe deposit box of seeds. Besides, in the event of some sort of global tragedy, having seeds located someplace safe might be a good idea for tomorrow, providing it doesn't exploit the honest business of today.

(we wouldn't want a company supplementing fruit with heroine in an attempt to increase sales).

OOC: You mean supplementing it with Wonder Woman, for example, or Supergirl? ;)

Could this proposal possibly be reclassified, somehow, into a less damaging category?

OOC: Try "Enviromental: Woodchipping"?

Agregorn is somewhat against the idea. Our departments of agriculture maintain their own plant and animal genetic information for the purpose of producing higher yielding crops that are both profitable and sustainable. Biodiversity is a key part of the private business model. It is law that all food manufacturers outline a chemical detail of their substances, for purposes of public health (we wouldn't want a company supplementing fruit with heroine in an attempt to increase sales). This is overseen by a handful of organizations that test the final product for chemicals, and then sell this information to the public.

Oh, one of those people who think you can go off and sell nature. What next? You got a deed to the Sun's sunlight?

A good idea might be to only allow 'natural' seeds instead of seeds that are 'genetically engiennered' inside of that Bank. You 'own' the genetic information of that seed, and we wouldn't want to take away what is 'yours'. Besides, I don't want any icky GMOs in this Global Seed Bank.---Dr. Bob

OOC: Try "Enviromental: Woodchipping"?Collecting seeds adversely effects the Woodchipping Industry?

Perhaps a clause could be added making them responsible for funding this project?

That would make it fit the category. Of course, it's kind of a kludge.