6.13.2012

La Via Campesina Leading the 'People's Agricultural Movement' by Confronting Capitalism



A very interesting new report, “ Combating Monsanto Grassroots resistance to  the corporate power of agribusiness in the era of the ‘green economy’ and a changing climate”, jointly produced by La Via Campesina, Friends of the Earth International and Combat Monsanto - available in English, French and Spanish - provides snapshots of frontline struggles against Monsanto and other agrochemical corporations pushing genetically modified (GM) crops onto farmers and into the environment.

The testimonies and analysis contained in this report aim to inspire and unite consumers, activists and communities against the abuses carried out by Monsanto and other biotech corporations around the world. “This report demonstrates that the increasingly vocal objections from social movements and civil society organisations are having an impact on the introduction of GM crops.” said Josie Riffaud from La Via Campesina. 

The use of GM crops destroys essential crop diversity. As Andrea Brower pointed out in her article, 'Eating Our Way to a Better World?', a few days ago the real enemy in this war is -  just as the real enemy in Greece, in all of southern Europe, in Latin America, in climate destruction, in species extinction... in every social justice issue everywhere - capitalism. The large majority of GM crops are grown for animal feed or agrofuels destined for rich nations rather than food for the poor and hungry. - Combat Monsanto

Please look into the facts and figures from 'The Food Revolution', you'll probably be amazed at how many lies the corporate media is feeding us all in service to its advertiser's agenda. If, for instance, farmers stop planting GMOs, and make the transition to organic farming, farm and ranch land can become a significant sink or sequestration pool for greenhouse gasses, literally sucking excess greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere and sequestering them safely in the soil, where they belong.