Indonesia is in a dire situation as it becomes increasingly dependent on food imports. Especially for rice, the import of 3.3 million tons in 2023 was the largest rice import by the government in the last 25 years. Rice imports in 2023 increased by 613.61% compared to 2022.
Free Trade Agreements
26-29 February: La Via Campesina calls for a Week of Mobilization against the WTO
For more than a decade, the failure of this institution to reach a consensus on a lasting resolution for public food stocks clearly illustrates its alignment with the interests of the US, and other strong export-oriented countries. As the 13th Ministerial Meeting commences in Abu Dhabi on 26th February, La Via Campesina urges its members across countries to take to the streets and mobilize against the WTO.
ECVC welcomes the EU Council’s decision to block the deregulation of GMO-NGTs and condemns the European Parliament’s hasty approval of an incoherent and unenforceable proposal
The European Parliament voted by a small majority in a plenary vote in favour of the deregulation of GMO-NTGs. ECVC strongly condemns this vote, and also calls on the EU Council to maintain its opposition to the deregulation of GMO-NTGs.
EU-Mercosur Trade Deal: A Threat to Peasant Rights and Nature | La Via Campesina Statement
The EU Mercosur trade agreement tailor-made for financial capital and transnational corporations, will lead to the destruction of peasant food systems that currently supply food to people in each region. We call on all social movements and civil society organizations to oppose it and demand that our governments halt this agreement.
Brussels: ECVC demands an immediate end to EU-Mercosur trade agreement, calls for fair prices
Small-scale farmers from across Europe answered the call for European mobilisation in Brussels, sent by ECVC and one of its Belgian organisations FUGEA on Monday, in order to drive forward concrete change for farmers on the doorstep of European policy makers.
Call to action: Fair incomes for all farmers! Stop free trade agreements immediately!
European Coordination Via Campesina calls for a European mobilisation on 1 February 2024 in Brussels to express its discontent and call for a paradigm change. Europe’s neo-liberal policies are overwhelmingly responsible for farmers’ distress. ECVC has been calling for a change of direction and is therefore taking to the streets demanding suspension of FTAs and for fair prices.
Rejection of free trade agreements and the demand for a decent income at the heart of farmers’ mobilizations in Europe
In Germany, France, Poland, Romania, Belgium and beyond, we are seeing increasing numbers of farmers taking to the streets. Low incomes and a lack of future prospects for the vast majority of farmers is at the root of this discontent, which is largely linked to the neo-liberal policies the European Union has pursued for decades.
France & Farmers’ Protest: Confédération Paysanne calls for national mobilization
The National Committee of the Confédération Paysanne, has expressed its full solidarity with the movements of farmers in France. The observation is shared: the expressed anger is legitimate, given the profound issue of peasant labor remuneration. The Confédération Paysanne has decided to call on all departmental structures to express their solidarity with the movement.
EU-MERCOSUR FTA: a political agreement at the expense of farmers?
According to a leak, the Mercosur counterproposal lacks detail and includes requests for a mechanism to balance trade concessions. Some believe that Mercosur would like to have higher quotas for agricultural products that are not included in the Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR)..
Canada: NFU calls for fair and just international trade systems | #10Sept2023
Agreements include Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) Mechanisms that hamper governments from enacting new legislation and regulations to protect human and environmental health. Canadian investors in the mining, oil and gas sector have initiated the highest number of Canada’s ISDS cases – 70 percent! The warning Mr Lee left us is especially relevant as Mexico currently struggles to uphold its food sovereignty by prohibiting GM corn.