WEEKLY WATCH number 247
from Claire Robinson, WEEKLY WATCH editor
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Dear all:
This week saw a hugely impressive wave of protests against GMOs in India (GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST GMOs IN INDIA).
And anyone familiar with the campaigns of dirty tricks by Monsanto and its supporters that GM Watch has helped expose, won't be too surprised to read about the latest revelations of black ops against anti-GM campaigners involving former secret service agents and cops (CORPORATE SPYING).
Whatever you do, don't miss the interesting series of developments reported in our FOOD SECURITY section, including an important new report confirming yet again that GM crops do not increase yields.
Finally, 'The World According to Monsanto' - the impressive new documentary by French journalist and film-maker Marie-Monique Robin - is now available in English on the web via http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_11386.cfm
Check it out!
Claire [email protected]
http://www.gmwatch.org / http://www.lobbywatch.org
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CONTENTS
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CORPORATE SPYING
GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST GMOs IN INDIA
ASIA
MIDDLE EAST
EUROPE
THE AMERICAS
FOOD SECURITY
LOBBYWATCH
GM AND DEMOCRACY
GENETIC CROSSROADS
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CORPORATE SPYING
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+ BLACK OPS AGAINST ANTI-GM GROUPS
A private security company organized and managed by former Secret Service officers spied on environmental organizations like Greenpeace, the Center for Food Safety, Friends of the Earth, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and GE Food Alert, amongst a number of others, pilfering documents from trash bins, attempting to plant undercover operatives within groups, casing offices, collecting phone records of activists, and penetrating confidential meetings. Those listed among the firm's clients include PR firms representing biotech companies and major corporations, including Monsanto.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8995
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GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST GMOs IN INDIA
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+ PROTESTS AGAINST GMOs ACROSS INDIA
An amazing array of protests took place across India around 8 April marking the global day of action, 'People's No Genetic Engineering Day'. In the southern State of Andhra Pradesh (AP), for instance, more than 5000 farmers participated in anti-GM rallies organised by the Deccan Development Society (DDS). And other organizations are organized anti-GM rallies in AP the following day, with the DDS also organizing village level rallies in 50 villages in the Medak district where more than 3000 women farmers are expected to participate in demonstrations. Among many colourful events elsewhere, there was even a funeral procession held by farmers in Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh, organised by Beej Swaraj Abhiyaan. The death procession symbolised the impact on India's farmers of GM crops like Bt brinjal (aubergine/eggplant). The farmers and citizens in Andhra Pradesh demanding that the state government make Andhra Pradesh a GM-free state, included farmers who've suffered losses with Bt cotton, workers who suffered allergies while working in Bt cotton fields and livestock owners whose animals died or fell sick after grazing on Bt cotton fields.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8970
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8975
+ INDIA: ORISSA PROTESTS
In Orissa on 8 April, a petition signed by 30,000 farmers, intellectuals and activists was submitted to the state government asking it to ensure that Orissa remains free from GM seeds. Social activists who have been working against introduction of the seeds, said that despite the statement of the agriculture minister Surendranath Nayak in June 2007 that GM crops will not be allowed into Orissa, the biotech industry and its supporters are making an attempt to introduce Bt cotton in Orissa with the false promise to farmers that Bt cotton will result in increased yields. Over 4000 women, mostly tribals, added their voice to the demand that Orissa be declared an organic state by exhibiting 500 indigenous rice varieties collected by them in front of the State Assembly. They aimed to put across the message that state government would risk the rich flora base of rice species if GMOs entered the region.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8973
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8978
+ TAKE ACTION: INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR ORISSA CAMPAIGN
Sign on to show your support for the protests against the attempts to introduce Bt Cotton into Orissa.
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/BtCotrv1/petition.html
+ KERALA: CALL TO BOYCOTT GM SOYA, CORN PRODUCTS
In Kochi, Kerala, a workshop on GM crops and their impact on Kerala's agriculture called upon people to boycott soybeans, corn (maize) products and other GM foods. It noted that these foods, which were imported from the US, were being sold by many supermarkets and posed health threats.
http://www.lobbywatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=8978
+ KERALA: BIG POLITICAL SUPPORT FOR GM BAN
Agriculture minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran, who opened the meeting, said that the state government was determined not to turn Kerala into a site for GM crop trials. And in what has been described as the most significant statement from any senior politician in India, the Chief Minister of Kerala said that his 'government will not entertain any policy that will give a death blow to the farmer and the environment of the State through the unsubstantiated claim to produce more with the technique of genetic engineering'.
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