Local and international farmers and representatives from UBINIG (Policy Research for Development Alternatives), Bangladesh and Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PAN AP) shared their concerns over the use of dangerous pesticides and their human health and environmental impacts, in particular endocrine disrupting chemicals dangerous to the human reproductive system and child growth and development. The threats from the use of genetic engineering technologies on food and agriculture and what this could mean to local farmers and the community were also raised.

Mr. Percy Schmeiser, a canola farmer from Bruno, Saskatchewan, Canada – currently countersuing Monsanto over allegations that he illegally planted their variety of genetically engineered canola – told local farmers to be wary of giant Multinational companies like Monsanto – who are only
interested in trapping farmers into using their genetically altered seeds. These seeds have the potential to deny farmers of their right to save and reuse their seeds.

The concern over how multinationals are destroying the food security in India was expressed by Ms Santi Gangadharan and Mr Kollapuri Murugan – on route from Caravan activities in India. These farmers shared their experience of how their land was being planted to export oriented cash crops instead food crops for the community. So the land, soil and water is being poisoned. "We want land, soil and water free of poisons!"

Jahanara Begum, a women farmer from the area, summed up the event by rousing the crowd. "We should stop using pesticides. We don’t want these companies seeds and their poisons. We can use our own traditional seed. Tell your friends, neighbours, everybody!"

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