Haitian Farmers Say “Burn Monsanto’s Seeds”:Canadian groups support Haitian rejection of Monsanto’s seed donation

 

For Immediate Release 

Thursday, June 3, 2010 – Today farmer and environmental groups from across Canada stated their support for tomorrow’s farmer march in Haiti, organized to protest a donation of 475 tons of hybrid corn and vegetable seeds from the U.S.-based multinational biotechnology corporation Monsanto. The seeds will be distributed by the U.S. government aid agency to Haiti’s farmers. 

Tomorrow, Friday June 4, in Montreal, representatives from groups including Union Paysanne, Action SOS Haiti, the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network, HAITI: One Seed One Land, and Greenpeace will hold a symbolic solidarity action outside the Haitian Consulate and deliver a letter in support of the farmers.

Chavannes Jean-Baptist of the Peasant Movement of Papay (MPP) in Haiti called Monsanto’s donation “a new earthquake.” MPP organized the protest march for tomorrow and has called on all of Haiti’s farmers to burn Monsanto’s seeds. “If people start sending us hybrid seeds that’s the end of Haitian agriculture,” said Chavannes. 

Haitian Farmers to Burn Monsanto’s Seeds.

Live link:   Truthout.org 

 

On June 4, World Environment Day, the Haitian Peasant Movement of

Papay (MPP) has committed to burning Monsanto’s seeds and has called

for a march to protest the corporation’s presence in Haiti.  Details are

accessed in the link above.

 

If you live in Haiti or have contacts in Haiti, we will be grateful to hear

from you updating us about the march and the actual burning of 475

tons of seeds.  We greatly appreciate helping us in reaching and

interviewing Chavannes Jean-Baptiste, the leader of MPP. Thank you.