In this week's News from Brazil:

• Brazilian Agribusiness Rejects Bayer's Transgenic Rice
• Dorothy Stang Update
• Urgent Action Request:  The Islanders of Sirinhaem

Brazilian Agribusiness Rejects Bayer's Transgenic Rice
by Dafne Melo

First it was soy, then corn, then cotton, and now it is rice that is now in danger of being allowed to grow genetically modified (GM) here in Brazil.  But judging from the public hearing held on March 18th by the CTNBio (National Technical Commission on Biosecurity), GM rice will have a much more difficult time gaining passage.  Even entities tied to agribusiness (like Embrapa--Brazilian Business of Agricultural Research) which are traditionally in favor of transgenics have come out against GM rice.

Federarroz (Federation of Associations of Rice Farmers) of Rio Grande do Sul, the state responsible for 62% of the national production of rice, has also come out against licensing of GM rice, as did Farsul (Federation of Agriculture of the state of Rio Grande do Sul).  "It was a first, these entities with practically the same position as the social movements like Via Campesina," said Leonardo Melgarejo, agronomist and representative of the Ministry of Agrarian Development in the CTNBio.  Rafael Cruz, social scientist and coordinator for Greenpeace's campaign against genetic engineering, was also surprised with the new positioning of these entities:  "In the past, Farsul defended transgenic soy as did Embrapa.  Nothing is new about the arguments, but openly taking up a contrary position, even for economic reasons, is something new."

Transgenic produce already has difficulties selling in various markets, but in the case of rice, it is almost universally rejected.  Only in the United States has GM rice been allowed to be commercialized.  However, after a serious case of contamination in 2006*, US farmers have virtually rejected seeds from Bayer.  According to Cruz, many countries are already preparing themselves against eventual investments from the German company.  Thailand, one of the world's main producers of rice, has already put in place very strict rules, and in the Philippines a request for legalization has already been stopped in the courts.

Besides the complications of exportation, farmers have felt in their pockets what social movements and environmentalists have been saying from the beginning:  growing transgenics is less costly only in the short term.  In Brazil, for example, GM soy producers are already experiencing difficulties.  New weeds resistant to the Monsanto herbicide (sold in conjunction with the GM seeds) are beginning to appear.  Thus, besides the expensive royalties which must be paid with every harvest, the use of herbicides have not diminished and in some cases has increased, adding more costs to production.

According to Melgarejo, one representative from Bayer declared that their seeds could be used for the next ten years.  After this period, they would no longer be efficient.

Besides economic concerns, GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are rejected by environmental, social and consumer groups because of the effects that they may have on human health, on the environment, and out of concern that transnationals will control natural resources and agriculture.

In the case of rice, the glufosinate ammonium  present in the herbicide is extremely poisonous.  The European Parliament has declared that it is cancerous, toxic, genetic-altering, and has denied its use.  Tests done on rats show that ingestion of the substance caused alterations in the nervous system, allergic reactions and convulsions.

Andrea Salazar, a lawyer for Idec (Institute of Consumer Defense), who was present at the hearing, believes that the information presented by Bayer is flawed and insufficient.  She stated that this is not surprising when you look at the cases of soy, corn and cotton.  "The lack of and precariousness of the information presented by the companies is glaring.  Their lens of evaluation is quite narrow, as much as in the area of health as in the environment," said Salazar.  She went on to critique the performance of CTNBio, who in her opinion use a "precarious and irresponsible method of analysis, which puts the population more at risk, especially in the case of rice."  Melgarejo added that many of the commission's advisors analyze the issue only in terms of biosecurity, and do not consider political or commercial implications.  "Science is not neutral, and our choices have political and economic implications."

*In August of 2006, the US Department of Agriculture admitted that its rice production for exportation had been contaminated by Bayer's GM rice.  The discovery was made only because of a routine inspection of a ship that arrived in Europe loaded with US rice.  Demanding an explanation for the contamination, the Europeans pressured the US to investigate the matter.  After 14 months, the findings were inconclusive.  Greenpeace decided to do its own report.  According to the document, the event was the "biggest commercial and financial disaster in the US rice industry."  It generated global damages anywhere from US$741 million--in the best case scenario--to US$1.285 billion.  Thirty countries confirmed that they received contaminated rice and closed their markets to US rice, including all of Europe.  All of the contamination happened through experimental fields. 

Source:  Brasil de Fato, March 26-April 1, 2009

Dorothy Stang Update

The saga of the murder trial of Dorothy Stang* opened yet another chapter last week.  On April 7th, the Justice Tribunal of the State of Para decided to reopen the case.  In May of 2008, rancher Vitalmiro "Bida" de Moura, accused of having ordered the assassination, had been absolved of the crime.  Last week, the court annulled the decision on the basis that the defense had used illegal evidence by exhibiting a video in which another participant of the crime had claimed that the rancher was innocent.  This video had not been registered prior to the trial.  The court ordered the immediate arrest of Bida.

Dinailson Benassuly, the coordinator of the Dorothy Stang Committee, commented that this decision was "an advance in the struggle against impunity and for human rights."  Although he is happy is about the decision, Benassuly is cautious because there is still the trial ahead.  "Yesterday was just one step in the struggle."

The case of Dorothy Stang has received international attention, transforming the missionary into a symbol of resistance and struggle in defense of the people of the Amazon.  Amnesty International affirmed that the decision of the Tribunal "offers an opportunity for justice to be done in a state where defenders of human rights and social activists live in constant threat."

*Dorothy Stang was assassinated in 2005 while working with sustainable agricultural projects in the region of Anapu.

Source:  Adital and Radioagência NP, April 7th, 2009

Urgent Action Request:  The Islanders of Sirinhaem

We at Brazil Justice Net received a letter from Fr. James Thorlby, who has worked for years with the islanders of the Sirinhaém Estuary.  Below is an excerpt of the letter:

.......Another significant moment has arrived in their struggle: the public is to be consulted (“consulta pública”) for their opinion on the creation of an Extrativist Reserve (RESEX). This RESEX will guarantee the environment in the Sirinhaém estuary – and that includes the islanders who are the real guardians of the environment in the region.

Meanwhile, the sugar baron will hear none of it! He wants to control the islands, the mangroves and the waters so that there will be no witnesses to the devastation and pollution he brings to the flora and fauna … like emptying the poisonous sillage into the river … like polluting underground  waters with toxic chemicals … like destroying vegetation indigenous to the Atlantic Forest … like extinguishing wild life in the region … and all with the backing and rubber stamp of “green-washing” environmental organizations such as “Conservation International” … and the powers that be: a subservient executive, an obedient judiciary, acomodating legislative.

As the “Consulta Pública” approaches – the moment when the public will have the opportunity to voice their opinion on the RESEX  - the Islanders need your solidarity. Your solidarity consists in sending a letter.

Send your letter in Portuguese (a proposed version appears on the next page) to the person indicated. Send it by snail-mail – the conventional service. That way, it will be included in the RESEX process. E-mails, faxes are not included.

Your letter should arrive at the address indicated by 08 May 2009 at the latest.

The Islanders thanks you for your solidarity.

The task is simple: print the Portuguese version of the letter; circulate it; sign it; envelope it; stamp it – send it!

Here is a translation of the proposed version that follows:

Dear Madam, Coordenator of the RESEX process in the Sirinhaém Estuary:

On 18.03.09, you took part in a meeting in Recife in which Islanders of the Sirinhaém Estuary also participated. During the meeting – in which you outlined the “Consulta Pública” procedure – the Islanders and those who support the cause of this traditional community, presented the principal motive for the creation of a RESEX in that region. The principal motive is the preservation of the environment which also includes guaranteeing  the way of life of the traditional Islanders community which co-exists in the environment. The lands for the projected RESEX are State Lands. They belong to the Brazilian People. They are not the private property of anyone.

We have accompanied the RESEX campaign of the Islanders. Only a People that has right on their side could have possibly resisted so much humiliation to their citizenship, so much violence against their physical integrity, so much omission by the authorities to guarantee even the most basic of human rights.

The Islanders´ resistance, however, was worth it! The moment to stage the “Consulta Pública” has arrived (May 2009).

We declare our support for the RESEX in the Sirinhaém Island Estuary. We are from another country. We are, however, voyagers on the same Planet. The measures to guarantee the environment in Sirinhaém will reverberate throughout the Planet … throughout the Universe.

Consulta Pública, now!

RESEX in the Sirinhaém Estuary, now!

Thank you for your attention.

Yours sincerely,
 

______________________

Erika Fernandes Pinto
Coordenadora
Instituto Chico Mendes
SCEN – Setor de Clubes Esportivos Norte
TRrech 2 – Ed. Sede do IBAMA
CEP 70.818-900 Brasília. D.F.
Brasil

Prezada Senhora, Coordenadora do Processo RESEX nas Ilhas de Sirinhaém:

Em 18.03.09, a senhora participou de uma reunião no Recife com ilhéus da região do Estuário de Sirinhaém, PE.

Nesta reunião – em que a senhora esboçou o procedimento de realizar a “Consulta Pública” -  os ilhéus e os que apóiam a causa desta comunidade tradicional, apresentaram o motivo principal para a criação de RESEX naquela região. O motivo principal é a preservação do meio ambiente que também inclui garantia para a comunidade tradicional que co-existe neste meio ambiente. As terras para a RESEX projetada são Terras da União. Pertencem ao Povo Brasileiro. Não são propriedade privada de ninguém.

Acompanhamos as campanha de RESEX dos ilhéus. Só um povo que está com o direito resistiria tanta humiliação de sua cidadania, tanta violência contra sua integridade física, tanta omissão pelas autoridades para garantir os direitos mais básicos.

A resistência dos Ilhéus, porém, valeu! O momento para fazer a “Consulta Pública” (maio 2009) chegou.

Declaramos nosso apoio à RESEX no Esturário do Rio Sirinhaém. Somos de um outropaís. Somos, porém, viajantes no mesmo Planeta. As medidas para garantir o meio ambiente em Sirinhaém vão fazer eco pelo Planeta ... pelo Universo.

Consulta Pública, já!

RESEX no Estuário de Sirinhaém, já!

Obrigado pela atenção.

Atenciosamente,
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