SWI swissinfo.ch: Environmental responsibility Protesters march against big agribusiness

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Environmental responsibility
Protesters march against big agribusiness

    Business
    Environment

This content was published on May 19, 2018 4:57 PM May 19, 2018 - 16:57
demonstrators gather, holding placard with skull and crossbones

Today's marches are part of a global grassroots movement against big agribusiness practices.
(Keystone)

More than 2,000 people have marched peacefully in the Swiss city of Basel to protest the practices of agrichemical companies such as Monsanto and Syngenta.

As part of the international “March against Monsanto” movement, they denounced the power of big agribusiness groups and called for them to be more environmentally and socially responsible. Protestors denounced toxic pesticides, genetic engineering, seed patenting and a profit-oriented approach to food production.

Another “March against Monsanto” was also held on Saturday in Morges, in the French-speaking canton of Vaud where the US giant has one of its headquarters. Some 1,000 people participated in that demonstration, according to the regional newspaper 24 heures.

US multinational Monsanto’s products include a widely used weed-killer which has recently been at the centre of Europe-wide controversy.

+ Read more about the glyphosate debate

Demonstrators in Basel also called for funding for an agro-environmental institute at the city's university and an end to sponsoring and partnerships between the canton and agribusiness group Syngenta. An open letter to the Basel cantonal government expressing these demands was made public at the end of the march.

The Swiss group Syngenta, now in Chinese hands, is one of the world’s biggest producers of pesticides, and is headquartered in Basel.

This is the fourth such demonstration in Basel against big agribusiness. This year it was supported by some 60 organisations and political parties.  

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There are 4 comments on this article.
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"VeraGottlieb commented on the content at 19 May 2018 17:25".
VeraGottlieb 19-May-2018 17:25
Don't forget...profits BEFORE people any time. Are these companies so blind to reality, not wanting to realize that whatever affects us will also affect them health-wise? All the money in the world won't do a bit of good...
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 "peter replied to the comment of VeraGottlieb at 20 May 2018 11:58."
peter 20-May-2018 11:58
People dont realise that these products are tested thoroughly before being marketed for adverse effect, much like human drugs against disease that Roche and Novartis produce.
There is the example of how organic pesticides which are not strictly tested, are killing bees. Organic products such as garlic extract and neem oil, so perhaps the increase in the 'Safer organic products' is to blame. People need to be informed that's all I am saying, organics are not always safer.

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 "Vera Gottlieb replied to the comment of peter at 21 May 2018 16:52."
Vera Gottlieb 21-May-2018 16:52
These products are being tested before going to market...Really? They are taken to market as quickly as possible for the sake of profits - never mind any negative side effects for humans or animals.
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 "Alfie replied to the comment of Vera Gottlieb at 21 May 2018 22:00."
Alfie 21-May-2018 22:00
Of course they are trialed and tested thoroughly for their toxicity to man and the environment.
Safer now than they were back in the 60's for example.
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