Paraguay’s soy harvests a new set of victims
22 February 2011
Paraguay’s soy harvest is in full swing, and with it comes disturbing news of poisoning by agrochemicals.
On Friday 7 January, 17 inhabitants of ‘Colonia Yeruti’ a small community near Canindeyu in Eastern Paraguay were taken to hospital.
They were suffering from symptoms such as fever, coughing, stomach aches, vomiting, headaches and skin eruptions.
26-year-old Ruben Cáceres arrived dead at the hospital.
Family in danger
An investigation by the Paraguayan Ministry of the Environment found Ruben’s mother, wife and 2-year-old son also suffering fevers and skin complaints.
Their house was on a low lying area surrounded by soy fields.
Neighbours complain that they are subjected to constant aerial and tractor spraying, regardless of the wind, humidity and time of day.
Business as usual
Sadly in Paraguay, this is not unusual.
Environmental legislation is regularly flouted and expansion of soy drives people from their land, speeding destruction of forests and contamination of land and water.
Press for change
In 2003, Silvino Talavera died from pesticide poisoning. His mother is still fighting for justice.
Send an email in support of her call for justice.
Fix the food chain
The majority or Paraguay’s soy harvest is destined for export to feed animals in Europe’s factory farms.
In Europe, billions of pounds of EU taxpayers’ money is used to subsidise this intensive livestock production, driving our demand for soy.
Friends of the Earth is campaigning for changes in UK and European farming policy.
We want your money to go towards planet-friendly farming which doesn’t wreck the environment or livelihoods abroad, and boosts a thriving farming sector in the UK and Europe.
Friends of the Earth is calling for:
- Incentives for European farmers to grow their own animal feed.
- An end to support for factory-style farming that relies on soy from South America.
- Support for different types of meat and dairy farming, including grazing animals.
Read more about the food chain campaign.
Full Article here: http://www.foe.co.uk/news/paraguay_soy_27076.html