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Saturday 17 January 2015
We are fed up: Thousands march against TTIP & GMOs in Berlin
A broad alliance of farmers, ethical consumers, and
anti-capitalist activists staged a march through Berlin that numbered up to
50,000, to denounce the proposed TTIP treaty between the US and EU, and mass
farming technologies.
More
than 120 organizations joined the fifth annual ‘We are Fed Up!’ demonstration,
which this year focused on the increased importation of American farming
practices – such as genetic modification, frequent antibiotic injections for
animals, and chemical meat treatments – following the implementation of the
controversial Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).
"The EU-USA
trade agreement TTIP only serves global concerns, and will take away the means
of existence from many farms here and across the world,"rally
organizer Jochen Fritz told the media.
,
“Eating
is political. Every single decision I make about what to buy is determined by
how the animals are kept, or what grows in our fields. And I can make sure that
I support the farmers and not the big agricultural industry corporations,”said
Fritz.
The much
stalled TTIP, whose 24-chapter provisional text was made public last week after
formal negotiations since July 2013, seeks to formalize the economic
relationship between the EU and US economies across the board. The two partners
trade nearly €1 billion (US$1.1 billion) worth of goods and services annually.
y
17, 2015. (AFP/DPA)
But
the search for standardization has led to wide rifts in several areas –
specifically agriculture – with US-based multinationals such as Monsanto
leading the way in technological innovations, while the European public remains
wary, despite assurances from EU regulators.
Speaking at one of the Green Week events, Federal Agriculture Minister
Christian Schmidt promised to address the issues raised by the demonstrators,
and said that he welcomed the public display of opinion. Published time: January 17, 2015 20:08
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