(Colombian) National Farmers and Social Strike gets seeds control law 970 suspended

[unhappycamper]

http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=10722

In Colombia after 21 days of a nationwide strike by thousands of farmers, blocking more than 40 roads nationwide, protesting farmers forced the Colombian government to negotiate the rejection of a farm bill and the release of detained protesters. - September 14, 13

National Farmers and Social Strike gets seeds control law 970 suspended

OSCAR LEÓN, TRNN PRODUCER: In Colombia after 21 days of a nationwide strike by thousands of farmers, who were supported by bus and truck drivers, miners, students, and others joining massive demonstrations in cities and towns all around the country in places as far as Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Cauca, Huila, Putumayo, Caldas, Cundinamarca, and Nariño, and blocking more than 40 roads, in an historic moment, protesting farmers forced the Colombian government to negotiate the rejection of a farm bill and the release of detained protesters.

On Sunday, September 8, Vice President Angelino Garzón met with the Strike Negotiating Commission in Popayan and agreed to suspend Law 970, the one that gave control over seeds to the government. They also were promised the release of the 648 arrested during the strike and the creation of a new mining law.

Under this first and provisional agreement, the government will compensate the farmers for their losses when competing with cheaper products imported under as much as ten free market treaties with countries all around the world. In other cases it will suspend the importation of such products.

~snip~

The destruction of the farmers' rice stock seeds, seeds they were keeping for the following year's planting time, occurred in Campo Alegre and other towns in 2012. For some these images became the symbol of the farmers' strike fighting for the right to keep their seeds. Seed control was described by President Santos as having Colombia "tune up to international reality".

[Stargazer99]

1. Americans pay attention!

See that example of common people fighting for their very right to exist?
What is keeping you shut down? Think about it!

[stuntcat]

2. everyone pay attention

please.

Seed control was described by President Santos as having Colombia "tune up to international reality".

k&r