During the stop over in Chittagong the group met with local journalists. The Daily Purbokon(Bangla) and Daily Life(English) newspapers have already published news of the upcoming Public Meeting in Chakaria. Journalists from national and local media will be travelling to Chakaria to cover the public meeting in front of the Purba Boro Behula school ground at 10am on November 20.

Over 500 farmers, fisherfolk, students, teachers and government officials are expected.

The meeting will raise concerns to the local community over the use of dangerous pesticides and their human health and environmental impacts; new threats from the use of genetic engineering technologies on food and agriculture and what this could mean to the local farmer.

The meeting will also feature two farmers from India, belonging to the Rural Women’s Liberation Movement and the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Labourers Movement.

It will further highlight the testimony from Mr. Schmeiser who is challenging Monsanto, a giant multinational agrochemical company over allegations that he illegally planted their variety of genetically engineered canola. He is here to share his views of how his field was contaminated with genetically altered Roundup Ready canola against his knowledge and wishes. "This has destroyed my seeds which I have been developing for over fifty years" he commented.

Schmeiser’s case highlights the immoral practices of transnational corporations (TNCs) in their push for corporate dominance and control of local and regional food and agricultural production systems.

The Caravan seeks an end to globalisation; and instead advocates sustainable alternatives to achieve food security, social justice, and land and food without poisons.

For more information contact:

UBINIG (Policy Research for Development Alternatives), and
Nayakrishi Andolon
E-mail:nkrishi@bracbd.net
Tel: 8111 465 / 8124 533