In spite of the de facto moratoria in other European countries, introduction of GM maize in Spain started in 1998. The available GM varieties have grown from the initial 16 to 61 in 2007. All the current varieties derive from the GM maize event Mon810 modified to be resistant to the corn borer. The rate of farmers adoption and hectares under GM maize cultivation have arisen according to this increasing number of registered GM maize varieties, although with a very heterogeneous distribution. |
| Name of conflict: | GMOs in Aragon, Spain |
| Country: | Spain |
| State or province: | Aragon |
| Location of conflict: | Zuera, Tauste, Egea de los Caballeros... (many locations) |
| Accuracy of location | LOW (Country level) |
| Type of conflict. 1st level: | Biomass and Land Conflicts (Forests, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Management) |
| Type of conflict. 2nd level: | GMOs |
| Specific commodities: | Corn/Maize |
| Project details | |
| Type of population | Unknown |
| Affected Population: | 7,000,000 |
| Start of the conflict: | 1998 |
| Company names or state enterprises: | Pioneer Monsanto Corporation (Monsanto Co) from United States of America |
| Relevant government actors: | Aragon regional governement, Departamento de Agricultura y Alimentación de la Chunta de Aragón, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Alimentación y Agricultura |
| Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | Aragon sin Transgénicos y hacia la Soberanía Alimentaria. Supported by the following groups:, A.VV. Puente Santiago Actur, A.VV. Sauces de Montecanal (Casablanca), Achencia de noticias AraInfo, Agencia de Medio Ambiente y Sostenibilidad del Ayuntamiento de Zaragoza, Alcañiza Toma la Plaza 15M, Amigos de la Tierra, ARNA Agrupacion Apicola, Asamblea 15M Zaragoza, Asociación Amigos del Maiz de consumo humano y de la semilla de Alfalfa Aragón, Asociación Cultural Os Zagales, Asociación para la Defensa de la Sanidad Pública de Aragón, Asociación Sueltas, Asociación Volaria, Biblioteca Frida Kahlo, Birosta Bar Vegetariano, Borraja a Piñon, Borrájatelo, grupo de consumo ecológico en Zaragoza, Caracol Zaragoza, red de personas por la autonomía zapatista, Casa Chusepón (Murillo de Gállego), Centro de Estudios Ambientales Ãtaca de Andorra (Teruel), Centro deEstudios Rurales y de Agricultura Internacional- CERAI Aragón, Centro Obrero de Formación- CODEF, CGT Aragón, Chunta Aragonesista, Circulo Solidario José Martí de Huesca, colectivo zombra, Comité Aragonés de Agricultura Ecológica, Comité de Solidaridad Internacionalista de Zaragoza, Confederación de Asociaciones Vecinales de Aragón- CAVAragón, Coordinadora Antifascista de Zaragoza, Decrecimiento Aragón, ECO agricultor, EcoFlor, Ecologistas en Acción Aragón, EcoNuez, grupo de consumo y producción ecológica de Nuez de Ebro, EcoRedAragón, red de consumidores y productores ecológicos en Aragón, Equo Aragón, Facilita coaching y Casa Pirineos (Ulle, Huesca), Fundación Paz y Solidaridad de CCOO Aragón, Greenpeace en Aragón, Grupo Scout Santa Isabel, Imago Mundi. Teatro de Títeres, Ingeniería Sin Fronteras Aragón, Izquierda Anticapitalista en Aragón, Izquierda Unida de Aragón, Juventud Comunista Aragón, LAlbolte, cultivo biodinámico de almendras y olivas, La Capaceta, grupo de consumo responsable de Los Monegros, La enredadera de Radio Topo, La Espinaca Ataca, cooperativa de consumo ecológico, La HuertaZa, La Natural. Alimentación, vida sana y consumo responsable, La Vía Campesina, Marea Roja Zaragoza, Mi Espacio Gourmet, MiKaSa (Panillo), Observatorio Aragonés para el Sáhara Occidental, Para Todos Todo (Pina de Ebro), Partido Comunista de España en Aragón, Plaibo, Puyalón de Cuchas, Red de Economía Alternativa y Solidaria- REAS Aragón, Red de Semillas de Aragón, Red Hortelanos Sobrarbe, Riet Vell, S.A., Setem Aragón, Slow Food Zaragoza- Convivium Ãnsula Barataria, Unión de Agricultores y Ganaderos de Aragón- UAGA-COAG, Veterinarios Sin Fronteras Aragón, Villamayorto, huerto social ecológico en VIllamayor (Zaragoza), COAG Aragon (Farmers Trade Union) |
| Intensity | MEDIUM (street protests, visible mobilization) |
| Reaction stage | In REACTION to the implementation (during construction or operation) |
| Groups mobilizing: | Farmers Local ejos Local government/political parties Neighbours/citizens/communities Social movements Trade unions Local scientists/professionals groups from organic consumption cooperatives |
| Forms of mobilization: | Development of alternative proposals Official complaint letters and petitions Public campaigns |
| Environmental Impacts | Visible: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Genetic contamination Potential: Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Soil contamination, Soil erosion |
| Health Impacts | Visible: Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…) Potential: Other environmental related diseases |
| Socio-economical Impacts | Potential: Increase in Corruption/Co-optation of different actors, Loss of livelihood, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures |
| Project Status | In operation |
| Conflict outcome / response: | Institutional changes New legislation |
| Proposal and development of alternatives: | Ban GMOs. Ban Patents on life. Promoting alternative food systems and short supply chains based on small-scale organic production and local, seasonal and organic consumption schemes. |
| Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | No |
| Briefly explain: | The area of GM maize is equal or increasing. |
| Juridical relevant texts related to the conflict (laws, legislations, EIAs, etc) |
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| References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries |
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| Contributor: | Amaranta Herrero |
| Last update | 18/08/2019 |
| Conflict ID: | 77 |