Of the many actions organized worldwide by various organizations and allies to mark the celebration of the International Day of Peasant Struggles on the 17th of April, about 131 of them were captured and recorded. The actions, to name a few, included demonstrations, campaigns, debates and lectures, dramas, occupation of certain spaces, planting and exchange of seeds. These actions were captured on a Map (http://viacampesina.org/map/17april/map.html [1]) by the La Via Campesina, in effort to build solidarity and to provide a wider platform for others to join the peasant struggles. This bulletin captures some of these actions.
GLOBAL PEASANT MOVEMENT EXEMPLIFIES POWER OF ORGANIZED HUMANITY
Commemorating the International Day of Peasant Struggle
Salena Tramel, journalist and international policy and development consultant, wrote an article commemorating the International Day of Peasant Struggles, the 17th of April, its conception and how Via Campesina keeps the voices of the peasants alive and heard. The article was published by Common Dreams. The article highlights how from the beginning, control over seeds has been at the top of Via Campesina's list of critical issues. Its relevance has heightened as transnational corporations have tightened the grip on a world food system characterized by the commodification of basic resources. At present, just ten seed companies dominate 67 percent of the world's seeds - with Monsanto and its patents controlling 23 percent of the global supply. While some view peasant agriculture as a bygone livelihood, and powerful political and economic interests are out to replace it, Via Campesina is taking calculated measures to ensure that today's peasantry does not slip quietly into the night.
Read more … [2]
Resistance Grows in Defense of Peasant Seeds
Press Release--la Vía Campesina
(16 April 2014) This year men and women farmers of the international peasant movement, La Vía Campesina, mobilized worldwide in favor of peasant seeds. Since April the 17th, 1996 La Vía Campesina designated this day as a global day of action with allies and friends. With more than 120 actions at a local and global level in all continents, La Via Campesina reasserts the importance of local struggles and at the same time underlines the need for global resistance and organization between the cities and the rural areas. Actions such as land occupations, agro-ecological festivities, debates and seed exchanges will be carried out until the end of April as part of the global days of action. La Vía Campesina denounces laws and interests that seek to prohibit the use, exchange and access to peasant seeds, a common patrimony of the people at the service of humanity, as well as food sovereignty as part of a commitment to end hunger in the world.
Read more … [3]
OPEN LETTER: ARIPO’S DRAFT PROTOCOL FOR THE PROTECTION OF NEW VARIETIES OF PLANTS (“DRAFT PROTOCOL”) UNDERMINES FARMERS’ RIGHTS, LACKS CREDIBILITY & LEGITIMACY
(9th April 2014) Various organizations from Africa and around the world, concerned with the conservation of agricultural biodiversity for livelihood security and food sovereignty, promoting farmers' rights and citizen involvement in the decision-making process, prepared and signed an open letter to members of the international convention for the protection of new varieties of plants (UPOV). The organizations expressed serious concerns with the ARIPO Draft Protocol that has been submitted by ARIPO (African Regional Intellectual Property Organization) on 6 March 2014, for the consideration of the UPOV Council at its 31st Session in Geneva on April 11, 2014. The Draft Protocol clearly lacks credibility and legitimacy. The organizations strongly urge the member states to reject the Draft Protocol and send it back to the drawing board; demand that ARIPO consult with smallholder farmers and civil society in all ARIPO member states; and, especially, that it discuss appropriate and equitable PVP regime that reflects conditions and realities prevailing in ARIPO countries, the obligation of protecting biodiversity, that is incorporate farmers' interests and rights and that is safeguard public interests and prevent biopiracy. Read the letter … [4]
NFU PROPOSES NEW VISION FOR CANADIAN SEED OWNERSHIP
(January 20, 2014- Saskatoon, SK): Bill C-18, the Agricultural Growth Act favours further consolidation of the seed industry into a few corporate hands, which will end up costing farmers more for seeds of all types. The National Farmers Union of Canada (NFU) has nevertheless put forward Fundamental Principles for a Farmers' Act (_“_Click here to read the Act [5]_”_ which recognizes the inherent rights of farmers to save, reuse, select, exchange and sell seeds, while protecting public domains related to plant seeds. The principles build on Canada's 2002 signing of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, by which farmers would retain their "customary" use of seed. NFU is therefore calling upon the Canadian elected officials to act on these principles, which give a strong message about the kind of Canada we want - a Canada that is sovereign in regard to seed and food," he concluded. Read more … [6]
CANADA: A SEED ACT FOR FARMERS, NOT CORPORATIONS
NFU sign on letter: Stop Bill C-18
(10 April 2014) Canada's government is preparing to pass a new law, Bill C-18, the Agricultural Growth Act that would put Canadian farmers under the UPOV '91 Plant Breeders' Rights regime. This new law would give global seed corporations vast new power to control seed - and to profit from it on the backs of farmers. The National Farmers Union is working hard to stop this from happening and has called on their friends and allies to join their voice to urge the Canadian government to respect and protect the rights of farmers and demand to government to repeal the Bill. Read more … [7]
THE NETHERLANDS (THE HAGUE) LAND CONCENTRATION, LAND GRABBING, AND PEOPLE’S STRUGGLES IN EUROPE: INFOGRAPHIC
(April 17th,T he Hague) The Transnational Institute published, (for the 'Hands off The Land Alliance' and the European Coordination of La Via Campesina), a series of studies on key land issues in Europe under the title "Land Concentration, Land Grabbing, and People's Struggles in Europe." This collection of case studies put to rest the idea that land grabbing is a phenomenon restricted to the Global South and showed that millions of European farmers are being squeezed off their land, which is increasingly being captured for large-scale production or non-agricultural uses. To commemorate the one year anniversary of the book's publication and to continue to spread some of its key messages, TNI is proud to release an infographic (Click here [8]) designed to clearly illustrate central issues in an accessible form. Read more …. [9]
PHILIPPINES (QUEZON) LIGHTING OF TORCHES OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRARIAN REFORM
(April 17th, Quezon) Three farmer organizations, members of PARAGOS-PILIPINAS lit of torches in the 3 crosses erected near the farmers' camp outside of the Office of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Quezon City, Philippines to celebrate the International Day of Farmers' Struggles in defense of Peasants' and Farmers' Seeds. These farmer organizations continue to struggles for land to till and own. Members of La Via Campesina, Regional Southeast Asia visited the camp last October 2013 in solidarity with the farmers' struggles. The camp-out of the farmers started last October, 2012 and is almost one year and six months now, continues to press demands for land under the agrarian reform program of the government and VOWS not to SURRENDER until their demands are fulfilled. Click here to see the pictures [10]
FIAN INTERNATIONAL JOINS THIS YEAR'S GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION IN DEFENSE OF THE STRUGGLES OF FARMERS AND PEASANTS
(April 17th, Heidelberg, Germany) In a context of increasing land concentration, Agrarian Reform continues being one crucial measure to address the unequal distribution of natural resources and the lack of access to land and other natural resources for millions of peasants and agricultural workers worldwide, FIAN International joined this year's global day of action and mobilization in defense of the struggles of farmers and peasants on April 17th. FIAN International, on this day, emphasized the role of agrarian reform in this process. Access to land is at the heart of agrarian reform, which is indispensible for landless peasants and farm workers to ensure their human right to adequate food. FIAN called upon the government of the Philippines to fully implement the CARP/CARPER and fulfill the right to adequate food of the farmers of Hacienda Luisita [11] and Hacienda Matias [12], as well as all the affected landless peasants and farm workers in the Philippines whose right to food and land is still being threatened. The campaign on the case of Hacienda Luisita in the Philippines came to an end on April 17. Read more … [13]
PAKISTAN (MULTAN) WALK ON PEASANTS' RIGHTS
On April 17th, Multan, to commemorate the international day of peasants' struggle, The NGO called Human Rights Commission in Pakistan organized a walk in defense of peasants' rights. Click here to see the pictures [14]
NEPAL (KATHMANDU) ANPFA PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE MARTYRS OF MST
(April 17th, Kathmandu) In Nepal, LVC member All Nepal Peasants' Federation (ANPFa) organized an interaction program in Kathmandu to mark the day of International Peasant Struggles. A minute of silence in tribute and homage to the Martyrs was observed. Honorable CA member and ICC member of LVC com. Shanta Manavi, General Secretary of ANPFa Prem Dangal, Constituent Assembly members, Peasant leaders, and members of the right to food and food sovereignty groups, and media person including youth and women peasants attended the gathering. Besides highlighting the history and importance of observing international day of peasant struggle by Via Campesina members, the discussions also focused on ways and mechanisms of professionalization of agriculture in Nepal. Read more … [15]
BANGLADESH (DHAKA AND GAZIPUR) "RESISTANCE GROWS IN DEFENSE OF SEEDS"
(April 17th), The member organization of La Via Campesina, Bangladesh Krishok Federation (BKF), Bangladesh Kishani Sabha(BKS) and Bangladesh Adivasi Samity organized a discussion meeting in observance of International Peasant Struggle Day focusing on this year's theme slogan "Resistance grows in defense of seeds". The meeting called upon the small scale peasants worldwide to build a strong resistance struggle in order to protect, conserve and restore indigenous seeds and genetic resources. The meeting focused on the TNCs' efforts to take over the peasants' seeds, which have evolved over thousands of years. The meeting also put emphasis on the strengthening of the Global Campaign on Food Sovereignty. Read more … [16]
(April 17th, Gazipur) In memory of the massacre of 19 Brazilian landless peasants, the Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Labour Federation (BAFLF) and the Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Women Labour Association (BAFWLA) jointly observed International Day of Farmers' Struggles declared by Via Campesina on April the 17th. This year they arranged several actions including a human chain, procession and rally demanding farmers' right to seeds, to stop farming GMO seeds especially BT Brinjal, to strengthen the Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation, Govt. seed agency and to ensure food sovereignty rights of people through actual land and agri-reform. Following the human chain, procession and rally the BAFLF and the BAFWLA also organized discussions at the BRRI Auditorium in Gazipur. Mr. Mahamudul Hasan Manik, vice president of BAFLF presided over the meeting while Golam Sorowor conducted the same. Ms. Hazera Sultana, Member of Parliament and also honorable adviser of Bangladesh Agricultural Farm Women Labour Association, was present as the chief guest at the discussion meeting. The discussants urged the authorities to fulfill farmers' demands. They also added that BAFLWA and BAFLF should continue the struggle against Multinational seed companies and their local agents. Among others Nasrin Sultana, the Chairperson of BAFWLA, Mamun Hossain, Assistant General Secretary of BAFLF and others Farmer activists took part in the deliberation. Read more … [16]
UNITED KINGDOM (LONDON). THE LAND WORKERS’ ALLIANCE WANTS TO SEE SMALL-SCALE PRODUCERS PUT AT THE HEART OF DECISION MAKING IN AGRICULTURAL POLICY.
(April 17th, London) Hundreds of farmers and growers from the Landworkers' Alliance travelled to London from around the country to protest outside the head offices of DEFRA and the National Farmers Union, in solidarity with the April 17th - The International Day of Peasant Struggles. Under the leadership of Owen Patterson over the past two years DEFRA has strengthened its support of large-scale industrial agriculture and marginalized smaller producers, while the NFU has consistently lobbied for the interests of agribusiness and ignored the views of smaller farmers. The land workers' Alliance wants to see small-scale producers put at the heart of decision making in agricultural policy. "DEFRA needs to recognize the role of small-scale producers in contributing to the national food economy, as well as the environmental and social services provided by these producers," says Ed Hamer from the LWA. "As a matter of urgency we demand that DEFRA create policies conducive to a sustainable food future for all." Click here to see pictures [17]
THE NETHERLANDS (AMSTERDAM) : SOLIDARITY ACTIONS: MORE MONEY FOR TOMATO PICKERS AND ATTENTION FOR THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF GMOS IN AGRICULTURE
(April 17th, Amsterdam) In solidarity with Vía Campesina and the victims of large agricultural corporations, ASEED was involved in two small actions: On Tuesday April 15, ASEED handed out flyers at the symposium on "Genetic Modification, Friend or Foe" in Amsterdam, organized as the farewell event for the retiring Professor Rudy Rabbinge. The possible health issues were discussed, but the negative effects on biodiversity by the increase of monocultures, the growing power of multinational corporations and other social aspects in the agrarian reality were not in the agenda. But these are the aspects that farmers all over the world have to deal with as soon as GMOs are introduced. On April 16th, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) formed a picket line in front of the building where Ahold owner Albert Heijn, a supermarket chain in the US and Netherlands, held its annual shareholders' meeting. CIW has been campaigning over 20 years for higher wages and better working conditions for the tomato pickers and fights against sexual abuse and slavery. Walmart, McDonalds and Burger King have signed a legally binding Fair Food programme, but not yet Ahold. Thus, CIW protest aimed to highlight the issue to the shareholders to act on such irresponsible behaviour. ASEED distributed flyers with a text on "Genetic Modifications, Friend or Foe" to passers-by. Read more … [18]
AFRICAN BIODIVERSITY NETWORK CELEBRATES THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FARMERS' STRUGGLES IN DEFENSE OF PEASANTS’ AND FARMERS’ SEEDS
The African Biodiversity Network (ABN) partners have contributed to the edition of the network's newsletter, highlighting their work in and with communities to revive indigenous seed varieties. You can download the newsletter here [19], and read about the hidden agenda of the Crops Act in Kenya, the new scramble for Africa (How TNCs attempt to control biodiversity in Africa), and also read about Community seeds and Knowledge, an experience in Northern Kenya with local communities to revive their indigenous seeds, the knowledge of Tharaka culture to protect indigenous livestock varieties, the work of the Institute for Culture and Ecology in Kenya to revive lost seeds.
SYRIA (QAMISHLO, AL-HASAKA) DISTRIBUTING FLYERS ON ORGANIC FARMING AND NATURAL SEEDS
On april 17, to celebrate the international day of peasant's struggle, the UKSS (Union of Kurdish Students in Syria) distributed flyers on organic farming and Natural seeds in the streets and shops of Qamishlo, Al-Hasaka. They also produced some videos with interviews of farmers, explaining how the use of chimicals has "dryied" their soils and poisoned their food. The video is available here in english [20] and arabi [21]c. Click here to see picture [22].
UNITED KINGDOM (LONDON) : FEEDING THE FUTURE
Press release of the Landworkers' Alliance
(April 17th, London) The Landworkers' Alliance (LWA) held a demonstration outside the Head office of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), 17 Smith Square London, at 12.00pm. The demonstration was part of Via Campesina's international day of peasant's struggle co-ordinated actions across more than seventy countries. The LWA is a coalition of small-scale producer across the UK whose interests are not currently acknowledged or represented by DEFRA. Under the leadership of Owen Paterson over the past two years the Department has strengthened its support of large-scale industrial agriculture and further marginalized smaller producers in its efforts to promote "Sustainable Intensification" as the only solution to feeding the world. The LWA is an official member of the international peasant farming movement La Via Campesina, and campaigns for the rights of small-scale producers and lobbies the UK government and European parliament for policies that support infrastructure and markets central to our livelihoods. Read more … [23]and watch the pictures of the action [24]
UNITED STATES (CHICAGO ) : FAMILY FARMERS AND ALLIES TO PROTEST DAIRY PRICE FIXING AND GLOBAL CARBON TRADING
(April 9th, Chicago, Illinois) - To mark Via Campesina's International Day of Peasant Struggle (17th April), family farmers and their allies converged at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) - 141 W. Jackson - at noon on Friday April 18, 2014 to expose the rampant price fixing by commodity speculators that drives the ongoing global food and climate crisis. Family Farm Defenders' annual protest at the CME demands greater social responsibility and transparency from one of Chicago's most lucrative and secretive corporations, which posts billions of dollars in profits while rural workers and family farmers live in poverty. Dairy farmers in particular call upon the Department of Justice (DoJ) to take action against the food giants - including Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) Land O'Lakes, and Dean Foods, which control close to half of all milk production in the country. The CME defies anti-trust laws and s silent on price fixing at the expense of working farmer families. Read more … [25]
PALESTINE (BEIT AL-ROUSH AL-FOKA) UAWC JOINS THE WORLD IN THE DEFENSE OF LOCAL SEEDS
(April 17th, Ramallah) On the Day of Peasants' Struggle (April 17th) the Palestinian peasants representing Via Campesina Palestine raised their voices to save the local seeds and abandon the genetically modified seeds in a small village in the city of Hebron named Beit Al-Roush Al-Foka in cooperation with the National Local Seed Bank initiated by the Union of Agricultural work committees' (UAWC) which is the only seed bank in Palestine. The struggle to save local seeds is an international struggle supported by all the farmers in La Via Campesina in order to save small-scaled farmers around the world and accomplish food sovereignty. UAWC initiated the Palestinian Local Seeds Bank in 2010 after ten years of continuous work in the local seeds sector. It worked on the multiplication and seed improvement of more than 36 varieties including vegetable crops and local field crops since 2003. The local seeds are preserved in a seed bank considered a patrimonial seed bank to accomplish food sovereignty for the Palestinian farmers. UAWC also enlarged the cultivation area for the local seeds and the distribution centers, in addition to providing scientific information in partnership with the National Center for Agriculture Research, ICARDA, and Al-Aroub's Agricultural Center.
The struggle of Via Campesina Palestine against the GMO seeds comes from its belief in the importance of contributing to the protection and preservation of the hereditary seeds in Palestine in order to accomplish food sovereignty for the Palestinian farmers and the farmers around the world. Read more … [26]
AUSTRALIA (TOOWOMBA) FIELD VISIT TO SYMARA FARM
(Toowomba, April 17, 2014) The newly formed Family Farmers United Network (FFUN) held a field day at Symara Farm, owned by Ray and Sam Palmer. This was the network's first event, and was a great success. After introductions, the group was led by Ray and Sam and taken on a tour of their beautiful farm. From a greenhouse filled with healthy tomato and cucumber plants, to fields of vegetables covered in cloth to protect them from frosts, to free range chickens for eggs and meat - the group listened intently to the information that Ray shared. The more experienced farms offered suggestions and advice which was greatly appreciated by the whole group. Read more ... [27]
VIDEOS, PHOTOS AND POSTERS:
SOME POSTERS MADE FOR APRIL 17 [28]
Photos of actions inBelgium,Croatia,France, United Kingdom [29]
Photos of the action in Australia. [30]
WATCH THE JAKARTA CALL. [31]
The International farmers' movement La Via Campesina launched a new documentary on April 17 to celebrate the international day of peasant's struggle. "The Jakarta Call" is a 38 minute film featuring the exchanges, debates and reflections of the movement's VIth International Conference that took place in Jakarta in June 2013. This new documentary highlights the cultural diversity and the values of solidarity and unity converging in this political project. It reflects the multitude of local struggles for the defense of a food system by and for the people.
Links: ------ [1] http://viacampesina.org/map/17april/map.html [2] http://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/17-april... [3] http://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/17-april... [4] http://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/biodiversity-an... [5] http://www.nfu.ca/sites/www.nfu.ca/files/Fundamental%20Principles%20of%20a%2... [6] http://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/biodiversity-an... [7] http://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/main-issues-mainmenu-27/biodiversity-an... [8] http://www.tni.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=4379&qid=3... [9] http://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/17-april... [10] http://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/17-april... [11] http://www.fian.org/library/multimedia/hacienda-luisita-timeline/ [12] http://www.fian.org/library/multimedia/hacienda-matias-timeline/ [13] http://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/17-april... [14] http://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/17-april... [15] http://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/17-april... [16] http://www.viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/17-a... [17] http://www.viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/17-a... [18] http://www.viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/17-a... [19] http://www.viacampesina.org/downloads/pdf/en/ABN%20-%20SEEDS%20NEWSLETTER.pd... [20] http://tv.viacampesina.org/Syrian-students-in-defense-of?lang=en [21] http://tv.viacampesina.org/%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F-%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F%3F?lang=en [22] http://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/17-april... [23] http://www.viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/17-a... [24] http://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/17-april... [25] http://www.viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/17-a... [26] http://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/17-april... [27] http://viacampesina.org/en/index.php/actions-and-events-mainmenu-26/17-april... [28] http://tv.viacampesina.org/Some-posters-made-for-April-17?lang=en [29] http://tv.viacampesina.org/April-17-Belgium-Croatia-France?lang=en [30] http://tv.viacampesina.org/April-17-in-Australia-Queensland?lang=en [31] http://tv.viacampesina.org/The-Jakarta-call?lang=en
