This week Isle of Man Friends of the Earth’s Secretary Cat Turner looks back at a moving show of solidarity
On Saturday May 25, something really cheering and positive happened on the streets of Douglas.
On the face of it, the causes weren’t too cheering, and for those who look closely at the issues there’s much to be concerned about.
But sometimes, things have to get to a certain level of unbearable ugh-ness before we’re inspired to really demand change, so maybe the pain’s to be welcomed: it could be the precursor to something much, much better.
So what was it all about? The March Against Monsanto was an idea which sprang up in the US, and quickly – astoundingly quickly – raced around the world, garnering its support at what campaigners like to call ‘grassroots level’; that means people like you and me. On the day we marched in Douglas, we were part of what’s being described as the biggest protest march ever...over two million people, in around 450 cities and 45 countries. It felt tremendous, and we were really proud to see the people of the island standing up to be counted.
Although Monsanto is the organisation which gets most of the attention, in many ways the movement was about much more – a cry of rage against the handful of big businesses controlling all aspects of agriculture and food production, and manipulating infrastructure, livelihoods, and the wellbeing of humans, animals and the environment for their own profit.
On Saturday morning, well before the march was due to start, little groups amassed to help make posters and banners, copy leaflets and flyers, give each other badges and NoGMO logos. It was lovely to see – a little hive of industry, complete with a few bee costumes flitting around!
We posted information about the known threats of genetically modifiied foodstuffs, both directly in the food chain (eg in breads and cereals), and indirectly so (for exasmple, where eggs, milk and meat come from livestock fed on GM material).
We pointed out that studies have shown links between GM food and cancers, diabetes, obesity and other problems – and that in April this year, after prolonged lobbying from the GM producers, three major UK supermarkets abandoned their policies on the inclusion and labelling of GM products on their shelves. As one banner read, ‘If you’re proud of your GMOs, LABEL your GMOs’.
We also told people about a new EU law (the Plant Reproductive Materials Law, passed earlier ths month and again a result of lobbying by these companies) which will, when it comes into force, allow the criminalisation of selling, swapping, giving and even saving (!) of any seeds of plants that aren’t on a national register. And of course, there’ll be a cost to register a seed type.
And we reminded people that Monsanto, and other GMO purveyors, are also responsible for selling pesticides implicated in bee colony collapse; fertilisers which destroy the productiveness of our soils; ‘suicide seeds’ which are only viable for one cropping season (so farmers can’t save seeds, as they have done since time immemorial, for next year’s crops) and many more assaults on the global food chain.
When you put all the pieces of the world food supply jigsaw together, and realise how unhealthy it’s making many peoples’ diets...and how precarious the livelihoods of the farming community...it’s really frightening. And people are angry - with a righteous sense of being betrayed by brands they felt they could trust.
The good news, of course, is that the Isle of Man outlawed GM agriculture back in 2001, and we’re proud and grateful for this.
Better yet, and although it’s not easy to avoid the quick fixes of the supermarket shelves, there ARE ways you can feed your family without anxiety. Growing your own’s not for everyone, but it is cheap, fun and delicious if you’re able and local groups like the Permaculture Association can help with ideas on making the most of the space available to you.
Supporting local producers, who will answer your questions honestly about their methods, is another good option, as is writing to your supermarkets and asking them to stock and label their food honestly and mindfully.
It’s great to live on an island where people have so much heart, and care so much about our future. When it all gets dispiriting, take a look at this happy band below and remember - the fight for trustworthy food is worthwhile, and it’s one we can all be part of!
For more information contact iomfoe@manx.net, or come to one of our regular monthly meetings at the Green Centre – the next one is our annual general meeting, and it’s on Wednesday June 12th, at 7.30pm.
You’ll be very welcome!