1.4 billion farmers in the world depend on farmed saved seeds to feed themselves and their families. If terminator gets the go-ahead, it would spell the end of this practice of saving and replanting seeds - and so take control of meeting their own food needs out of farmers' hands.

Terminator spells trouble for peasant farmers throughout the world because they will no longer be able to save seeds to re-use from one harvest to the next. Many poor farmers cannot afford to buy seeds each year. Instead, they save, swap and share seeds that have been developed over generations. If terminator seeds are spread into the environment farmers will be forced to buy new seeds every time, making them poorer - and the big seed companies richer. Far from helping to tackle poverty, it will increase economic injustice and add to the burdens of those already living in hardship.

In May 2008 European governments will meet at the Convention on Biodiversity in Bonn to discuss Terminator Seeds. We want them to uphold and strengthen the ban they made in 2000. Poor farmers in the developing world need your help to make this happen. Here are some ways you can help persuade the British Government to do the right thing:

Progressio , an international development charity working for justice and the eradication of poverty, would like you to write to your MP, asking them to lobby the UK government to support and strengthen the ban.

They have produced a seed packet  and seed saver website to raise awareness about the threat that Terminator technology poses to poor farmers in the developing world and to the environment. The seed packet contains the letter to send to your MP.

Order seed packets by sending the seedsaver campaign team an email now or by calling 0207 354 0883.

Alternatively: Send them an email or letter, using the contents of the word document below or express your concerns in your own words. You can use the writetothem website to contact your MP by email

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