On both sides of the Pacific, peasants, family farmers, and rural workers reject the extension of neoliberal policies
by La Vía Campesina
Both sides of the Pacific- Via Campesina members oppose TPP [1]
Published on Monday, 29 June 2015 16:19
[2]JOINT PRESS RELEASE AGAINST TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP (TPP)
_On both sides of the Pacific, peasants, family farmers, and rural
workers reject the extension of neoliberal policies_
(June 15, 2015): We, members of La Via Campesina on both sides of the
Pacific, jointly express our opposition to the TPP. This so-called
partnership is in fact an extension of the neoliberal policies that are
being promoted by transnational corporations (TNCs) with the support of
the governments at their service.
Neoliberal policies and trade agreements have already caused
catastrophic damage to peasants and family farmers and to agricultural
workers, who are more and more at the mercy of the transnational
corporations. The increasing control of global commodity markets
exercised by these corporations constitutes a threat to the livelihoods
of peasants, family farmers and rural workers, to the well-being of
indigenous communities, and to the health of consumers. Their power is
an affront to food sovereignty and social justice, and a threat to
ecological integrity. As more than twenty years of experience with
neoliberal trade agreements has shown, increases in agricultural exports
serve only to increase the profits of transnational corporations; they
do not raise the net incomes of peasants and farmers.
Furthermore, the TPP is not simply an agreement about trade. Its
provisions infringe upon the national sovereignty of the countries
concerned, subjecting their citizens to rules that are dictated by the
transnational corporations and leading to a deterioration in living
conditions for the great majority - especially for family farmers,
workers, and small business owners. By strengthening the intellectual
property rights of pharmaceutical companies, the agreement will deprive
poor people of prescription drugs. The Investor-State Dispute Settlement
(ISDS) provision enabling corporations to sue national governments for
alleged loss of profits will lead to the modification, or even the
abandonment, of health, environmental, and social programmes. The
provisions regarding competition, state-owned enterprises, and
government procurement will prevent member countries from implementing
economic policies that are suited to their particular situation.
Rising opposition on the part of the public, who are becoming more aware
of the dangerous nature of the TPP's provisions, has so far prevented
the negotiators from reaching an agreement. _Now is the time for the
negotiations to be stopped. In Japan, in Korea, in Canada, and all over
the world, what we urgently need is to bring the policies and practice
of neoliberalism to an end, and to build an alternative international
trading system that has as its foundation food sovereignty, the
protection of the environment, and the well-being of our peoples._
Globalize the Struggle--Globalize hope!
National Farmers Union (NFU), Canada
Union Paysanne Quebec, Canada
Korean Peasant League (KPL), South Korea
Japan Family Farmers Movement (NOUMINREN), Japan
Links:
------
[1]
http://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/10-ye...
[2]
http://viacampesina.org/en/images/2015-06-29%20Anti%20TPP%20protest.jpg
9 years, 6 months
Press Conference: World´s Farmers Speak on Expo 2015
by La Vía Campesina
PRESS CONFERENCE: WORLD´S FARMERS SPEAK ON EXPO 2015 [1]
[2]
JUNE 3RD 2015 ORE 1:30 – 2:30 PM
Terra Room of Expo dei popoli. (Fabbrica del Vapore, Via Giulio
Procaccini, 4, Milano)
The international farmers movement La Via Campesina (LVC), one of the
organizers of Expo dei Popoli 2015, presents its take on Expo Milano
2015 thanks to its representatives from.
Africa, Europe and Latin America. This press conference will be an
opportunity to directly listen to the voices of farmers and local
communities about the central themes covered in
Expo Milano 2015 : feeding the planet and energy for life.
SPEAKERS:
Elizabeth Mpofu, Zimbabwe, General Coordinator of La Via Campesina
Hanny Van Geel, The Netherland, Member of La Via Campesina European
Committee
Esperanza de Jesus Ruiz Vallejos, Nicaragua, Secretary General of the
farmers' organization ATC-Matagalpa
Andrea Ferrante, Italy, Member of La Via Campesina European Committee
Speakers will be availabe for interviews
Official Hashtag: #peoplesexpo #laviacampesina #ecvc #foodsovereignty
www.viacampesina.org [3]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATIONS CONTACT:
Elisa Caricato +32 495 345980 - elisa(a)eurovia.org
Federica Toscano +39 333 7217660 - federica(a)eurovia.org
Links:
------
[1]
http://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/1812-...
[2] http://viacampesina.org/en/images/2014%20Logo.jpg
[3] http://viacampesina.org/
9 years, 7 months
