'Monsanto Law' Brings Uproar to Chile

What the law "does is put food sovereignty at risk by making it dependent on big corporations"

Protesters filled the streets of over 10 cities in Chile on Saturday to march against what has been dubbed 'Monsanto Law,' a measure critics say risks the country's food sovereignty while putting seeds in the hands of a few multi-national corporations.

The law, set into motion by former President Michelle Bachelet, is currently making its way through the parliament, and would give seed patenting rights to corporations such as Monsanto, the I Don't Want GMOs in Chile campaign (Yo No Quiero Transgenicos en Chile) explained.

Joel Gonzalez, a representative from the campaign, said that the measure was an attack "against agricultural practices of peasant communities" who weren't even consulted about the proposed law but could be slapped with fines from the corporations for violating the seed patents.

"This law puts seeds into the hands of a few transnational companies," added Ivan Santandreu, a member of Chile without GMOs (Chile Sin Transgenicos). "This measure does not contribute to the innovation and wellbeing of independent farmers at all. What it does is put food sovereignty at risk by making it dependent on big corporations," he told Radio Universidad de Chile.

TeleSuradds that critics say the law would prevent the saving of seeds and would increase the amount of time corporations have over the rights of hybrid and GMO seeds in the country.

Flickr user Deoxyt2 has photos from Saturday's march:

________________________

Join Us: News for people demanding a better world


Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place.

We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference.

Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. Join with us today!

Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.