The public consultation for a legislative bill on genetic resources in Brazil only allows comments by mail or Internet, which impedes the participation of many traditional communities who possess vast knowledge on the use of biodiversity, criticize social justice groups. “We found out about the proposal one day before the government was going to submit it for consultation,” by Feb. 28, activist Gabriel Fernandes, of the Transgenic-Free Brazil Campaign, told Tierramérica.

The organizations participating in the initiative say that many international treaties adopted by Brazil — like the Convention on Biological Diversity — require the government to consult with indigenous and traditional communities and with family farmers before formulating public policies affecting them.