by DARIO ARANDA
Activists protest Monsanto PHOTO/AFP
The biotechnology giant continues attempts to build its GMO seeds plant in Argentina, despite three years of unflinching popular opposition.
The world’s largest GMO corporation never imagined that it would suffer one of its major setbacks in a small, rural town in central Argentina.
Popular opposition, irregularities in the company’s environmental impact assessment, a protest blockade at the entry gate, and a court ruling stalled the construction of its seeds plant three years ago.
The most recent blow to the corporation occurred when it made a new attempt to enter the site in the municipality of Malvinas Argentinas, in the province of Cordoba. Protesters received an eviction notice, but local socio-environmental assemblies mobilized to strengthen the blockade, and a prosecutor suspended the order.
On Jan. 8 simultaneous marches were held in different cities across Argentina. The demand was one and the same: “Monsanto, get out of Latin America!”
December 30
The court order was clear: in 24 hours the activists had to give free passage and allow entry to people and machinery to the 30 hectares site owned by Monsanto. The prosecutor Víctor Hugo Chiappero declared:
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