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•22•07•2005•

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WORLD FOOD DAY @ ESF
European Social Forum 2004, London

16 October 2004 9:00am – 9:00pm

Dia Mundial de la Alimentacion @ FSE
Journée mondiale de l'alimentation @ FSE
Giornata mondiale dell'alimentazione @ FSE

  “Feed people not profits: challenging corporate control:”

“Nourrir les gens, pas les profits: défions le monopole des multinationales”

Plenary and 3 Seminars –   ALEXANDRA PALACE

4 Workshops – BLOOMSBURY

1000s of delegates at ESF in full capacity attended events debated
food sovereignty + land rights + Farmers' Rights + agricultural biodiversity + unfair trade rules + corporate control + obesity + famine + FAO pushing GM crops for the poor + WTO + intellectual property rights and seed control + and sent an unambiguous message to FAO...

"No GMOs @ FAO"
MESSAGE FROM ESF 2004 on World Food Day
CRITICISING THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
FOR PROMOTING GM CROPS FOR THE POOR


Word fileDownload report of Food Sovereignty Seminar

Get Acrobat Reader Download Message "No GMOs @ FAO" (150K)

RTF file Download full programme of Food Sovereignty and GM Crop events

European Social Forum website for latest venues and timings

Genewatch UK website for latest details on GM crop seminars and workshops

Get Acrobat Reader Download Poster (180K)

Get Acrobat Reader Download Leaflet (320K)

 

 



World Food Day @ ESF

Alexandra Palace (click for directions)

11:30am Plenary: Politics on Your Plate

9:00am CAP Seminar

4:30pm Food Sovereignty Seminar

7:00pm Land Rights Seminar

Bloomsbury (click for directions)

11:30am Nanotechnology Workshop

CANCELLED [11:30am Sugar Dumping Workshop]

2:00pm Resisting Corporate Monopolies Workshop

2:00pm CORE Workshop

7:00pm Boycott Nestlé Workshop

GM Crops: the struggle continues

Alexandra Palace (click for directions)

9:00am GM-free Europe

1:00pm A Trans-Atlantic GMO Trade War

Bloomsbury (click for directions)

4:00pm GM-free Zones

7:00pm A Trans-Atlantic GMO Trade War

World Food Day @ ESF 9:00am - 9:00pm


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World Food Day (16th October) events @ ESF will champion the demands of smallholder farmers organisations and CSOs for international recognition of the right to Food Sovereignty.

They will challenge WTO and TNC dominance of the global food system that feeds corporations not people. It will promote fair trade, regulation of agri-food TNCs, local control of natural resources and GM-free agroecology / agricultural biodiversity that feeds the world.

They will also send messages of solidarity with organisations across the world that are campaigning on World Food Day to criticise pro-biotech international development organisations, especially the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for the publication of its annual report which promotes GM crops - see < http://www.grain.org/front/?id=41 >

•  840 million people go to bed hungry each night in a world with 1.5 billion overfed people that spends $900 billion a year on weapons and war.

•  1 European farm disappears every minute of every day

•  Unfair trade and dumping of surplus food impoverishes small-scale food producers throughout the world

•  10% of the population owns 90% of the fertile land in Brazil

•  4 supermarket chains control 75% of the food market in the UK

•  95% of the world's crop varieties, developed by farmers, have disappeared since the advent of industrial agriculture

•  75% of maize seed sales controlled by 4 Trans National Corporations

•  FAO and other UN agencies are now promoting GM crops

Food sovereignty policies are needed now to ensure that 6.5 billion people are fed today and 9 billion tomorrow. These policies will:

•  regulate international trade in favour of local markets, farmers and consumers;

•  implement the fundamental Right to Food for all peoples and ensure Farmers' Rights;

•  ensure equitable access to land, water, GM-free seeds, livestock breeds and agricultural biodiversity for threatened farmers and landless families;

•  promote sustainable, GM-free, localised food production and agroecology.


Plenary at Alexandra Palace

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16th October
World Food Day

11:30am – 1:30pm

Venue: Alexandra Palace

Great Hall 4

Event no: 2161

Politics on your plate - European agriculture, its global impact and future

 

Speakers: Jennifer Mourin (Asian Peoples' Caravan for Food Sovereignty, Malaysia); Adrian Bebb (Friends of the Earth Europe); Penny Fowler (Oxfam International); Lidia Senra (SLG/Galicia); Jenny Jones (Green Party, UK): Facilitators: Giorgos Emmanouil (Co-Ordinator Greek Network Against GMO) and James Lloyd (National Union of Students, UK)

Seminars at Alexandra Palace

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16th October
World Food Day

9:00-11:00am

Venue: Alexandra Palace

Great Hall 8

Event no: 1855

European Agriculture: Citizens and farmers fighting together for a fair and sustainable CAP

(with translation into French, Spanish, German and Italian)

Speakers:

Guus GEURTS (Netherlands); Michael Hart (UK); Gert Engelen (Belgium); and speakers form Plataforma rural; CPE; Kevan Bundell (Chair – Christian Aid / UK Food Group)

 

The current CAP, shaped mainly according to the interest of agribusiness corporations, encourages intensive farming and the production of low quality food: Changing the CAP towards food sovereignty is a priority: How can we achieve it?




     

16th October
World Food Day

4:30-6:30pm

Venue: Alexandra Palace

Great Hall 7

Event no: 2025

 

Get Acrobat Reader Click for Programme.
NB Venue now Great Hall 7

Food Sovereignty, Fair Trade and Diversity: challenging corporate control (with translation into French, Spanish and Italian)

Speakers: Imelda Lacandazo (KMP) / Jennifer Mourin (PAN-AP) representing Peoples' Caravan for Food Sovereignty; Davuluri Venkateswarlu (Action Aid Partner, India); Victor Campos (Centro Humboldt, Nicaragua, CIIR); María Carrascosa (Platform Rural); Claude Girod (CPE); Fabienne Kervarec (Artisans du Monde); Alberto Zoratti ( ROBA dell'Altro Mondo ); Patrick Mulvany (Chair – ITDG / UK Food Group)

 

This seminar champions smallholder farmers' organisations' and CSOs' demands for international recognition of the right to Food Sovereignty. It will challenge WTO and TNC dominance that feeds corporations not people. It will promote fair trade, regulation of agri-food TNCs, local control of natural resources and GM-free agroecology / agricultural biodiversity that feeds the world




     

16th October
World Food Day

7:00-9:00pm

Venue: Alexandra Palace

Marquee 1

Event no: 2024

Land Rights – equitable access to land and resources in Europe and the Global South

(with translation into French, Spanish, German and Italian)

Speakers: Jon Mendel (Henry George Foundation, UK); Lars Rindsig (Henry George Foundation, UK); Dave Wetzel (Labour Land Campaign, UK); Lidia Senra (Coordination Paysanne Europeenne CPE and Sindicato Labrego Galego SLG, Spain); Maria Carmen Sanchez (Sindicato de Obreros del Campo SOC, Spain); Martha Isabel Furtado Bispo; Wilma Strothenke (FoodFirst Information and Action Network FIAN, Germany

 

Everyone needs natural resources in order to live, but most are deprived of their rights to these resources. We will therefore explore different approaches to land/resource access, use, ownership and taxation - including Agrarian Reform, the Right to feed oneself and resource rentals. Peasants/Representatives from Europe and Brasil will share their experiences.

Workshops in Bloomsbury

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16th October
World Food Day

11:30am -1:30pm

Workshop

Venue: Bloomsbury

University London Union - room 3D

Event no: 778

Beyond GM: Nanotechnology in Food and Agriculture

Speakers: Jim Thomas, Kathy Jo Wetter (ETC group), Doug Parr (Greenpeace), Caroline Lucas MEP, Olaf Bayer ( (Corporate Watch), Tom Wakefored (PEALS), Andrew Scott (ITDG), Rob Doubleday (Cambridge University), Stuart Parkinson (Scientists for Global Responsibility), Ollie (Earth First), Will Holloway

 

After much controversy over GM the frontier of molecular agriculture has moved down from genomes to atoms. This workshop will explore how the same agribusiness and food interests that brought us GM are now employing nanotechnology (manipulation at the atomic scale) to usher in the next stage of industrial agriculture and food production: the workshop will consider implications for farmers, consumers and the south and discuss resistance strategies.




     

16th October
World Food Day

11:30 - 1:30pm

Workshop

Venue: Bloomsbury

University London Union - room 3E

Event no: 1138

A bittersweet tale: putting an end to damage caused by EU sugar dumping

Speakers: Oxfam, WWF, CAFOD

CANCELLED

 

Sugar dumping - its impact on people and the environment including personal testimony from a sugar farmer from the south; proposals for reform of EU sugar policies; why the time to act is now.




16th October
World Food Day

2:00 – 4:00pm

Venue: University of London Union - Malet Room

Event no.1098

Resisting corporate monopolies and new enclosures.

Speakers: James Wilsdon (Demos), Laurence Vandewalle (European Greens), Birgit Muller (ATTAC), Ricarda Steinbrecher (Econexus), MJ Ray (Association for Free Software), Claire Fauset (Corporate Watch), Kathy Jo Wetter and Jim Thomas (ETC Group).

 

While Corporations are applying and using monopoly patents to gain increasing control over life, over software and over the fundamental building bocks of nature they are also applying a series of new legal and technological strategies to enforce their monopolies, enclose common knowledge and deny access. This workshop will look at the range of legal and technological devices being used for corporate monopoly and attempts to resist and build alternatives (such as free software movement, seed saving etc )




     

16th October
World Food Day

2:00 – 4:00pm

Venue: Bloomsbury

University London Union Upper Hall

Event no:1364

Towards a European Coalition for Corporate Responsibility

Speakers: Friends of the Earth Europe

 

Building on the successful development of the UK's CORE coalition, this will be an opportunity to exchange experiences with other European campaigners. Similar initiatives are underway in Spain, Sweden, France and the Netherlands.




     

16th October
World Food Day

4:30 – 6:30pm

Workshop

Venue: Bloomsbury

Congress House 3, Gt Russell St

Event no:1173

Boycott Nestlé

Speakers Dr: Caroline Lucas MEP (Advisory Member of the International Forum on Globalisation), Mike Brady, Campaigns and Networking
Coordinator, Baby Milk Action, and other experts on Nestlé malpractice

 

Latest monitoring reports show that Nestlé is still the worst of the baby food companies: Find out about BMA's boycott and future campaign work.

For more information see Item / Event numbers in printed programme

or visit www.fse-esf.org

GM crop and food events on
FRIDAY 15TH OCTOBER 9:00am - 9:00pm

GM Crops: the struggle continues

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The EU has recently developed and is implementing new regulations which promise to deliver full traceability and labelling of the GM products.

After years of threats, the US has finally made a challenge at the WTO about the EU's de-facto moratorium . Under this pressure the un-elected EU Commission has started to override the Council of Ministers by authorising new GM varieties.  

Public opposition remains strong. For instance a UK opinion poll carried out in September 2004 showed;

•  Only around a quarter of respondents found food from a GM plant acceptable, compared with almost a third (32 per cent) in 2002.

•  Only around a quarter (26 per cent) favour the growing of GM crops in the UK , compared with around a third (32 per cent) in 2002.

Citizens across Europe continue to oppose the introduction of these crops by for example, creating GM Free zones or directly decontaminating GM field trials.

If Europe starts to import and grow GM crops, there will be major impacts for globally, as many countries no longer seek to maintain their European markets by remaining GM free.

Seminars at Alexandra Palace

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Friday 15 October

9:00 - 12:00 noon

Seminar

Venue: Alexandra Palace

Marquee 2

Event no: 1825

GM-Free Europe

(with translation into English, Spanish, French, Turkish and Greek).

Speakers: Claire Devereux (chair); Lim Li Ching (The Third World Network); Victor Campos (Nicaragua); Helena Paul (UK); Adrian Bebb; Yiannis Tolios; Babis Moulgelas; Abdullah Aysu; Robert Fidrish; Jacques Leford (Confederation Paysanne)

 

The current state of play regarding GM crops and foods around Europe and the world. Including contributions from European and international grassroots campaigners with time for discussion and debate. There will also be an introduction to three workshops on the GM WTO dispute, GM Free Zones.




     

Friday 15 October

1:00 - 3:00pm

Seminar

Venue: Alexandra Palace

Great Hall 5

Event no: 1845

A Trans-Atlantic GMO Trade War (with translation into French, Spanish, German and Italian).

Speakers: Alexandra Wandel (Friends of the Earth Europe, Germany); Alice Palmer (Foundation for International Law and Development , UK); Peter Rossman (International Union of Food); Meena Raman (Third World Network); Dr Sue Mayer -Chair (Executive Director of GeneWatch, UK)

 

This seminar will provide an update and details of the US WTO challenge on the EU's precautionary stance on GMOs. There will be a chance for questions and discussions. A strategy workshop follows this seminar.

Workshops in Bloomsbury

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Friday 15 October

4:00 - 6:00pm

Workshop

Venue: Bloomsbury

NATFHE Brunswick

Event no: 748

GM-Free Zones

Friends of the Earth Europe, supported by Inf'OGM (France), Freeze (UK), ELTE Nature Conservation Club (Hungary), Legambiente (Italy), VELT (Belgium), BUND (Germany)

 

This workshop will be organised to discuss and further strengthen local and regional initiatives throughout Europe to declare geographical areas GMO free. The ESF gives an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences, discuss and improve strategies and inspire new people to join the campaign for a GMO free Europe.




Friday 15 October

7:00 - 9:00pm

Workshop

Venue:

Bollomsbury

NATFHE Brunswick

Event no: 842

A Trans-Atlantic GMO Trade War

Friends of the Earth Europe on behalf of the Bite Back: Hands off our Food campaign and The Five Year Freeze on behalf of the International Public Interest Coalition.

 

This workshop follows on from the seminar on the same subject, giving people the chance to discuss strategy and action around the WTO case in the future.

For more information see Item / Event numbers in printed programme

or visit www.fse-esf.org or Genewatch www.genewatch.org/esf.htm

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Travel Directions to Alexandra Palace <http://www.alexandrapalace.com/s/ap/page_289.htm>

Click for map Get Acrobat Reader (350K)

A free shuttle bus service is available on most show days connecting you to the Palace grounds.

BY UNDERGROUND
Wood Green, on the Piccadilly Line, is the nearest London Underground Station. It connects via King’s Cross to the Circle Line on which main British Rail Stations are located. Journey time from Piccadilly Circus, for example, is 20 minutes. The frequent W3 bus service runs from just outside Wood Green Station to the Palace entrance.

BY RAIL
Alexandra Palace has its own British Rail Station, fittingly called Alexandra Palace Station. It is located at the Wood Green entrance to the Park. On weekdays until 9pm, trains run from King’s Cross Station, changing at Finsbury Park, every 30 minutes. Trains run every 15 minutes direct from Moorgate Station (not on Saturday and Sunday). After 9pm and at weekends, trains run directly from King’s Cross every 15 minutes, except for Sundays when the service is every 30 minutes. Journey time is 11 minutes. The frequent W3 bus service runs from just outside the station to the Palace entrance.

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LAST MINUTE CHANGES

RTF file Download full programme of Food Sovereignty and GM Crop events (UPDATED Thursday 14th)

Change of Names of Meeting Rooms in Alexandra Palace

Change of Venue : GM Seminars in Alexandra Palace 9:00am and 1:00pm Friday 15th October

Cancelled: Sugar Dumping Workshop, Bloomsbury
11:30am Saturday 16th October

Added: Resisting Corporate Monopolies Workshop, Saturday 16th October 2:00pm

Details added: Food Sovereignty Seminar 4:30pm 16 October

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STOP PRESS

No GMOs @ FAO

Message to the Food and Agriculture Organisation from the European Social Forum 2004 on World Food Day criticising this United Nations agency for promoting increased investments in GM crops for the poor

Get Acrobat Reader Download Message "No GMOs @ FAO" (150K)

Get Acrobat Reader Download letter to Jacques Diouf, Director General of FAO (20K)

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World Food Day @ ESF

London, 16 October 2004

On World Food Day 2004 at the European Social Forum in London, speaker after speaker criticised FAO for promoting GM crops as a solution to hunger.

In the context of 840 million people going to bed hungry each night in a world with 1.5 billion overfed people that spends $900 billion a year on weapons and war;

•  recognising the immense contribution of, presently highly threatened, smallholder and peasant farmers, pastoralists, fisherfolk, indigenous peoples and other natural resources users to the development and management of the freely accessible agricultural biodiversity that feeds the world;

•  also recognising that this agricultural biodiversity, the first link in the food chain, is also threatened by contamination from proprietary genetically modified organisms controlled by Trans National Corporations;

•  aware that investments in genetic engineering are skewing resources away from research in sustainable agroecological food production systems that can be developed and controlled by local farmers;

•  recognising that European consumers and taxpayers have rejected GM crops and foods;

•  and recognising that only through food sovereignty policies will the problems of hunger and poverty be addressed effectively;

Delegates unanimously supported the transmission of a clear and unambiguous message to FAO:

In solidarity with peasant and smallholder farmers' organisations and joining the hundreds of organisations and social movements across the world that have already criticised FAO for the contents of its 2004 SOFA report on biotechnology,

delegates at the European Social Forum 2004 World Food Day events condemn the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) for promoting the development and use of genetically modified crops for eradicating poverty and hunger;

and call on the FAO immediately to reject the agendas and the direct and indirect influences of Trans National Corporations in its normative and operational work;

and to reorient all its efforts to:

  • tackling the root causes of hunger,
  • promoting sustainable agroecological technologies and
  • defending agricultural biodiversity.

-- ends --

Coordination of the publicity of the World Food Day events at the European Social Forum was undertaken by the UK Food Group, which also co-sponsored two Seminars

UK Food Group : the UK network for global food security www.ukfg.org.uk


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