Agroecology cools down the earth by Via Campesina | 5 Dec 2013 climate crisis | seeds & biodiversity "We are directly opposed to the carbon market approach to dealing with the climate crisis. Turning our farmers’ fields into carbon sinks – the rights to which can be sold on the carbon market – will only lead us further away from what we see as the real solution: food sovereignty. The carbon in our farms is not for sale!" A film by Via Campesina "We are directly opposed to the carbon market approach to dealing with the climate crisis. Turning our farmers’ fields into carbon sinks – the rights to which can be sold on the carbon market – will only lead us further away from what we see as the real solution: food sovereignty. The carbon in our farms is not for sale!" A film by Via Campesina
Seeds of sovereignty by Gaia Foundation | 4 Dec 2013 Ethiopia | climate crisis | seeds & biodiversity As the world’s agriculture and food systems face a crisis of disappearing seed diversity, a new short film tells the story of how African farming communities and organisations are reviving traditional seed diversity across the continent, and resisting mounting corporate pressure to use industrialised seed and farming methods. As the world’s agriculture and food systems face a crisis of disappearing seed diversity, a new short film tells the story of how African farming communities and organisations are reviving traditional seed diversity across the continent, and resisting mounting corporate pressure to use industrialised seed and farming methods.
Dust to dust: a man-made Malthusian crisis by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard | 2 Dec 2013 United States | food crisis | seeds & biodiversity We must wake up to the global land crisis or face a very real threat of famine We must wake up to the global land crisis or face a very real threat of famine
The global struggle for peasants seeds: a struggle for our future by Via Campesina | 22 Nov 2013 seeds & biodiversity Seeds is becoming a central and strong pillar in the fight for food sovereignty. In kitchens, gardens and markets, farmers conserve, exchange and develop seeds. But the corporations and many governments are keen to privatise seeds, and get farmers to get hooked onto the hybrids and GMOs from the laboratories. Here is Via Campesina's take on the issue. Seeds is becoming a central and strong pillar in the fight for food sovereignty. In kitchens, gardens and markets, farmers conserve, exchange and develop seeds. But the corporations and many governments are keen to privatise seeds, and get farmers to get hooked onto the hybrids and GMOs from the laboratories. Here is Via Campesina's take on the issue.
Thai farmers and civic groups protest UPOV lobby by Bangkok Post | 21 Nov 2013 Thailand | seeds & biodiversity | laws & policies | actions A group of farmers gather at the Department of Agriculture (DOA) in Bang Khen district yesterday to voice their opposition to the planned ratification of the 1991 International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). The farmers submitted a protest letter to Martin Ekvad, the UPOV executive who briefed DOA officials about the convention. A group of farmers gather at the Department of Agriculture (DOA) in Bang Khen district yesterday to voice their opposition to the planned ratification of the 1991 International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). The farmers submitted a protest letter to Martin Ekvad, the UPOV executive who briefed DOA officials about the convention.
Africa's unfair battle (part 6): 'The entire food aid system is perverted' by Michaela Schiessl | 13 Nov 2013 food sovereignty | laws & policies Industrialised nations spend billions to subsidise their high-tech farming industries. Surplus crops often end up being sold at rock-bottom prices in the markets of developing countries, making it impossible for local farmers to sell their products. Even the American food aid being sent to famine-plagued regions creates more suffering than it alleviates, because many governments prefer to wait for handouts than buy up their farmers' harvests. The lack of options is forcing thousands of Africans to risk the life-threatening journey to Europe. Industrialised nations spend billions to subsidise their high-tech farming industries. Surplus crops often end up being sold at rock-bottom prices in the markets of developing countries, making it impossible for local farmers to sell their products. Even the American food aid being sent to famine-plagued regions creates more suffering than it alleviates, because many governments prefer to wait for handouts than buy up their farmers' harvests. The lack of options is forcing thousands of Africans to risk the life-threatening journey to Europe.
ARIPO’S plant variety protection law criminalises farmers and undermines seed systems in Africa by Allliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa | 18 Oct 2013 seeds & biodiversity | laws & policies The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa is gravely concerned about a draft law developed under the auspices of the Africa Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO), dealing with a harmonised regional legal framework for the protection of plant breeders’ rights, titled ‘Draft Regional Policy and Legal Framework for Plant Variety Protection’. ARIPO is in the process of seeking the approval of its Member States to adopt the legal framework, possibly at the next ARIPO Administrative Council and Council of Ministers meeting due to take place 25–29 November 2013 in Kampala, Uganda. The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa is gravely concerned about a draft law developed under the auspices of the Africa Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO), dealing with a harmonised regional legal framework for the protection of plant breeders’ rights, titled ‘Draft Regional Policy and Legal Framework for Plant Variety Protection’. ARIPO is in the process of seeking the approval of its Member States to adopt the legal framework, possibly at the next ARIPO Administrative Council and Council of Ministers meeting due to take place 25–29 November 2013 in Kampala, Uganda.
Mozambique: Nampula civil society reaffirms call to halt ProSavana by Nampula Civil Society Provincial Platform (PPOSC-N) | 8 Oct 2013 Mozambique | land grabbing Civil society organisations in Nampula do not recognise ProSavana as a programme that will protect the interests of small-scale farmers, who see their life steadily deteriorating. Civil society organisations in Nampula do not recognise ProSavana as a programme that will protect the interests of small-scale farmers, who see their life steadily deteriorating.
Monsanto Suspends Construction in Córdoba Due to Protests by Argentina Independent | 3 Oct 2013 Argentina | corporations | seeds & biodiversity Monsanto has been forced to put construction of its plant in Malvinas Argentinas, Córdoba, on hold as protesters blockade an access road, citing concerns over the health risks and contamination from the plant’s activity. Monsanto has been forced to put construction of its plant in Malvinas Argentinas, Córdoba, on hold as protesters blockade an access road, citing concerns over the health risks and contamination from the plant’s activity.
COMESA approval of seed trade regulations spells disaster for small farmers and food sovereignty in Africa by Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa | 2 Oct 2013 seeds & biodiversity | laws & policies The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa strongly condemns the approval of draft Seed Trade Harmonization Regulations by COMESA's Council of Ministers in September which will only facilitate agricultural transformation in member states towards industrialization of farming systems based on the logic of the controversial, failed and hopelessly doomed Green Revolution model of agriculture. The Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa strongly condemns the approval of draft Seed Trade Harmonization Regulations by COMESA's Council of Ministers in September which will only facilitate agricultural transformation in member states towards industrialization of farming systems based on the logic of the controversial, failed and hopelessly doomed Green Revolution model of agriculture.
Nyéléni 15: Smallholder agri-investments by Nyéléni | 30 Sep 2013 land grabbing | corporations In October the World Committee on Food Security (CFS) will meet to discuss principles for ‘Responsible investments in agriculture’. We must shout out the message that not all investment is the same. And ask important questions - Investment in what type of agriculture? By whom? For whose benefit? In October the World Committee on Food Security (CFS) will meet to discuss principles for ‘Responsible investments in agriculture’. We must shout out the message that not all investment is the same. And ask important questions - Investment in what type of agriculture? By whom? For whose benefit?
Message to Brazilian agribusiness congressmen by InterContinental Cry | 20 Sep 2013 Brazil | laws & policies The National Congress of Brazil will soon be deciding on a proposed constitutional amendment that would give the Congress exclusive authority to decide where the boundaries of all indigenous lands lie, including any lands previously demarcated and ratified by the Executive Branch of the government. Worried about the future of his people, a Guarani man called Pedro Vicente Karai Miri recorded this message to the congressmen. The National Congress of Brazil will soon be deciding on a proposed constitutional amendment that would give the Congress exclusive authority to decide where the boundaries of all indigenous lands lie, including any lands previously demarcated and ratified by the Executive Branch of the government. Worried about the future of his people, a Guarani man called Pedro Vicente Karai Miri recorded this message to the congressmen.
Take ‘mosaic’ approach to agriculture, boost support for small farmers, UNCTAD Report urges by UNCTAD | 19 Sep 2013 food sovereignty | seeds & biodiversity Farming in rich and poor nations alike should shift from monoculture towards greater varieties of crops, reduced use of fertilizers and other inputs, greater support for small-scale farmers, and more locally focused production and consumption of food, a new UNCTAD report recommends. Farming in rich and poor nations alike should shift from monoculture towards greater varieties of crops, reduced use of fertilizers and other inputs, greater support for small-scale farmers, and more locally focused production and consumption of food, a new UNCTAD report recommends.
Factory Food From Above: Satellite Images of Industrial Farms by Brandon Keim | 17 Sep 2013 United States | corporations | climate crisis | food sovereignty Seen from a satellite, an industrial feedlot has a sort of abstract beauty. The washes of colors, the juxtaposition of organic and rigid geometries, initially obscure the subject. Then comes the realization: That’s where our food comes from. Seen from a satellite, an industrial feedlot has a sort of abstract beauty. The washes of colors, the juxtaposition of organic and rigid geometries, initially obscure the subject. Then comes the realization: That’s where our food comes from.
Half of China's antibiotics now go to livestock by Mother Jones | 10 Sep 2013 China | United States | corporations Tom Philpott explains how China's booming use of antibiotics in meat production stems from its following of a model of industrial livestock farming developed by US corporations. Tom Philpott explains how China's booming use of antibiotics in meat production stems from its following of a model of industrial livestock farming developed by US corporations.