21/February/22

 

New trustees are joining the board of the Gates Foundation. But are they really "strong, independent voices" that will “shape its governance”, or will their financial ties to the foundation limit their influence, and in turn the shaping of the global health and agriculture narratives? Comedian Russell Brand gives an educational – and hilarious – rundown of the ludicrous nature of the Foundation's governance. Russell Brand on Youtube

 

 

Indigenous villagers in rural areas of Brazil are being sprayed with agrochemicals in attacks arranged by GM soy producers. The cases are so frequent and systematic in Mato Grosso do Sul that they have been defined as "chemical aggressions" by the lawyer Marco Antônio Delfino, from the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office, who is leading several complaints. Ezequiel João, leader of the Guyra Kambi'y settlement, in Douradina, says, "It's like a war. They started with gunshots to intimidate us and tractors pushing our huts. Then they started attacking us with poison, which is a weapon that kills little by little. They want to throw us out, but we will resist." [GMW: Parallel cases are occurring in Paraguay.] TAB (Portuguese text)

 

 

Farm workers are not protected from pesticides. Their exposure has been linked to serious and deadly illnesses, including Parkinson’s disease and blood cancers. Recommended equipment, expensive, untested and rarely worn as it is, does not provide effective protection. Without this presumed protection, dangerous pesticides would be banned. French whistleblowing scientists have raised the alarm for more than a decade – but they remain unheard. Investigate Midwest

 

 

Science has shown that pesticide exposure is linked to serious and deadly illnesses for farm workers, including Parkinson’s disease and blood cancers. Victims across Europe are struggling for recognition and compensation, as occupational disease remains a blind spot for authorities. As of now, only France and Italy officially recognise Parkinson’s disease to be linked to farm work. The condition is not on the list of occupational diseases upon which the European Union recommends Member States to act. The official EU agency for health and safety at work is not able to collect and share basic statistics on health at work. Investigate Midwest