In 1996 a particular variety of transgenic soy was introduced in Argentina. Marketed as Round Up Ready soy (RR), it was genetically modified to resist Round Up, a potent glyphosate-based herbicide. The North American multinational company Monsanto, a specialist in agricultural biotechnology and seeds and the worldwide leader in GM food production, produce both the RR soy and herbicide. |
GM soy monocultures ravages on health and biodiversity mobilize numerous semi-rural communities but this harmful production, at the core of Argentinean economy, remains hard to challenge.
Description:
Basic Data
| Name of conflict: | Monsanto and soy monocultures, Argentina |
| Country: | Argentina |
| State or province: | Cordoba, Santa, Fe, La Pampa, santiago del Estero, and other provinces |
| Accuracy of location | LOW (Country level) |
Source of Conflict
Project Details and Actors
| Project details | Children out of 30 resulted with high rates of agrotoxins in their blood after blood tests were done. |
| Project area: | 17000000 |
| Type of population | Semi-urban |
| Company names or state enterprises: | Monsanto Corporation (Monsanto Co) from United States of America Nidera Semillas S.A. from Argentina |
| Relevant government actors: | SENASA, CONABIA, CONICET, FAA |
| Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | Santa Fe Court of Appeal- Argentina, La Asamblea Malvinas Lucha por la Vida, Union de Trabajadores Agrcolas Representacion Estatal - Argentina, FOCO - Argentina, AA of AA - Argentina, Grupo de Madres Ituzaing Anexo - Argentina, GRR - Argentina, CEPRONAT - Argentina, RENACE - Argentina, Cordoba Coordination for the Defence of Water and Life - Argentina, UAC - Argentina, Argetine Association of Environmental Attorneys - Argentina, Cordoba Coordinadora en Defensa del Agua y de la Vida - Argentina, The Cordoba Court of Justice, Supreme Court of Justice - Argentina |
Conflict & Mobilization
| Intensity | HIGH (widespread, mass mobilization, violence, arrests, etc...) |
| Reaction stage | In REACTION to the implementation (during construction or operation) |
| Groups mobilizing: | Farmers Indigenous groups or traditional communities International ejos Local ejos Neighbours/citizens/communities Social movements Women Local scientists/professionals |
| Forms of mobilization: | Community-based participative research (popular epidemiology studies, etc..) Creation of alternative reports/knowledge Involvement of national and international NGOs Lawsuits, court cases, judicial activism Media based activism/alternative media Public campaigns Arguments for the rights of mother nature |
Impacts
| Environmental Impacts | Visible: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Food insecurity (crop damage), Genetic contamination, Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Soil contamination, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover Potential: Desertification/Drought, Global warming, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality |
| Health Impacts | Visible: Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…), Occupational disease and accidents, Infectious diseases, Other environmental related diseases Potential: Deaths |
| Other Health impacts | Cancer |
| Socio-economical Impacts | Visible: Displacement, Specific impacts on women, Violations of human rights, Loss of landscape/sense of place Potential: Lack of work security, labour absenteeism, firings, unemployment, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures |
Outcome
| Project Status | In operation |
| Conflict outcome / response: | Court decision (victory for environmental justice) New legislation New Environmental Impact Assessment/Study |
| Proposal and development of alternatives: | Erradication of soy monocultures, crop rotations, giving up on the use of herbicide and glyphosate. |
| Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | Not Sure |
| Briefly explain: | Althought there is a stron movement to stop aerial spraying og glyphosate, and many critiques against deforestation in Chaco and their territories, there has been no compensation or punishment of the corporation responsible for the environmental and health harms. |
Sources & Materials
| 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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Meta information
| Contributor: | Lucie Greyl |
| Last update | 18/08/2019 |
| Conflict ID: | 487 |
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