Farmers from four continents meet to stop GM crops

This week, Indian, Ethiopian and American farmers met with British farmers in Oxfordshire to discuss the future of their of their trade with the threat of GM crops.Undercurrents heard their stories.

The two American farmers learnt from the two Indian farmers that organic crops can be sustainable, both financially and environmentaly.

Satesh, one of the Indian farmers called upon the British Government to cancel its aid to the area of Andhra Pradesh. A huge Genetically modification(GM) project entitled Vision 20\20 is set to displace 25 million rural people. The right wing Chief Minister of AP had just signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" with GM giant Monsanto, giving the corporation a free rein to plant their controversial crops throughout Andhra Pradesh.

Corruption is high in the state. Tony Blair PM visited Andhra Pradesh recently, and millions of rupees of Aid money were spent on cleaning each village he went to, including distribution of free clothes to all the "Untouchable" villagers. As soon as he had gone, Government officials took the clothes back.

On Monday March 18th, 2.00pm, the farmers will present the findings of a ‘Citizen's Jury’, rejecting "Vision 20\20", in the House of
Commons.