Last update:
2015-02-11

Farmers Strike for Food Sovereignty, Colombia

Farmers revolted against control over their seed and agricultural tyranny of Ley 970 and corporate-government abuse



Description:

In 2011, the Colombian government authorities stormed the warehouses and trucks of rice farmers in Campoalegre, in the province of Huila, and violently destroyed 70 tonnes of rice that it said were not processed as per the law. This militarised intervention to destroy farmers' seeds shocked many, and inspired one young Chilean activist, Victoria Solano, to make a film about it. The film is called "9.70" because that is the number of the law adopted in 2010 that articulates the state's right to destroy farmers' seeds if they don't comply.

See more
Basic Data
Name of conflict:Farmers Strike for Food Sovereignty, Colombia
Country:Colombia
Accuracy of locationLOW (Country level)
Source of Conflict
Type of conflict. 1st level:Biomass and Land Conflicts (Forests, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Management)
Type of conflict. 2nd level:Intensive food production (monoculture and livestock)
GMOs
Agro-toxics
Specific commodities:Rice
Seeds
Project Details and Actors
Project details

The state provides almost no support for the small-scale farming sector. Instead, it embraces a social and economic model that serves the interests of a wealthy elite minority. Recent free trade agreements (FTAs) signed with the US and the EU are undercutting Colombian producers, who can't compete with subsidised imports.

See more
Type of populationRural
Start of the conflict:13/08/2013
Company names or state enterprises:Monsanto Corporation (Monsanto Co) from United States of America
Relevant government actors:the Union for the Protection of New Plant Varieties (UPOV)
International and Finance InstitutionsNorth America Free Trade Agreement
Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available:La Via Campesina
GRAIN
Conflict & Mobilization
IntensityHIGH (widespread, mass mobilization, violence, arrests, etc...)
Reaction stagePREVENTIVE resistance (precautionary phase)
Groups mobilizing:Farmers
Industrial workers
Trade unions
Students
Forms of mobilization:Street protest/marches
Property damage/arson
Strikes
massive public outcry started on 19th August 2013
Impacts
Environmental ImpactsVisible: Food insecurity (crop damage), Soil contamination, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality, Groundwater pollution or depletion
Potential: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Genetic contamination, Soil erosion
Health ImpactsPotential: Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…), Malnutrition, Mental problems including stress, depression and suicide, Deaths
Socio-economical ImpactsVisible: Increase in Corruption/Co-optation of different actors, Displacement, Increase in violence and crime, Militarization and increased police presence, Violations of human rights, Land dispossession, Loss of landscape/sense of place
Potential: Loss of livelihood, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Lack of work security, labour absenteeism, firings, unemployment, Specific impacts on women
Outcome
Project StatusPlanned (decision to go ahead eg EIA undertaken, etc)
Conflict outcome / response:Project temporarily suspended
Proposal and development of alternatives:Repeal of UPOV '91
Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?:Not Sure
Briefly explain:The social pressure was so strong that the government declared that the Resolution would be suspended for two years. However, it was not suspended and is merely being amended. Some of the harsh language has been replaced with more subtle words but it remains the same in content.
Sources & Materials
Juridical relevant texts related to the conflict (laws, legislations, EIAs, etc)

Law 1032 of 2006

Resolution 970 by ICA

Decision 345 of the Andean Community

References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries

The criminalisation of peasant seeds: How farmers are resisting

La Via Campesina and GRAIN

2015

Grain - Colombia farmers' uprising puts the spotlight on seeds
[click to view]

Forcing Farmers to Plant Genetically Modified Seeds: Colombians Revolt Against Seed Control and Agricultural Tyranny
[click to view]

Related media links to videos, campaigns, social network

Documental 9.70 de Victoria Solano
[click to view]

Meta information
Contributor:Ejolt team
Last update18/08/2019
Conflict ID:1787
Comments
Legal notice / Aviso legal
We use cookies for statistical purposes and to improve our services. By clicking "Accept cookies" you consent to place cookies when visiting the website. For more information, and to find out how to change the configuration of cookies, please read our cookie policy. Utilizamos cookies para realizar el análisis de la navegación de los usuarios y mejorar nuestros servicios. Al pulsar "Accept cookies" consiente dichas cookies. Puede obtener más información, o bien conocer cómo cambiar la configuración, pulsando en más información.