Help Paraguay fight the soy invasion
29 July 2013

In Paraguay soy is fast becoming a constant threat.

Paraguay is a major exporter of soy - which is being used as animal feed in the UK.

Small farmers are being forced off their land by large landowners looking to expand.

And frequent spraying of pesticides and herbicides is making it really difficult to resist.

The risk

In the city of Asuncion soy is now putting the drinking water supply at risk.

The global food giant Cargill has built its own port on the banks of the River Paraguay with plans to expand.

It's only 500 meters upstream from the city's main water intake - a spill could affect the water supply for over 1.2 million people.

Water intake of Asuncion City

Injustice

In response the Paraguayan Environment Ministry closed down the port and withdrew its licence to operate.

But Paraguay's President Lugo overruled their decision and re - opened the port.

Environmental abuse is poisoning Paraguay's people, and destroying its wildlife.

Take action

Ask Paraguay's President Lugo to stand up to big business and guarantee clean water for Asuncion.

Email President Lugo

His Excellency, President Don Fernando Lugo

Dear President Lugo, I understand that you recently issued Decree 4118 which allows Puerto Union, the port facility belonging to the transnational food giant Cargill, to continue operating. This decree was issued despite the fact that the Paraguayan Environment Ministry (SEAM) has withdrawn the operating licence for the port. Puerto Union is situated only 500 metres upstream from the main water intake of the city of Asuncion, which supplies drinking water to some 1.2 million people. The Cargill port facility represents a hazard to the water supply of the entire population of the city, and any accident such as spills of fuel, pesticides, or water-soluble pollutants in the port could have devastating consequences. There are a number of reasons for concern: - The port has failed to submit an adequate environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the project. The EIA submitted in 2007 failed to mention key information: the proximity of the port to the main water intake of Asuncion. It also failed to include a public hearing, which is a basic requirement for granting an environmental permit. - By putting at risk the water supply to Asuncion and its metropolitan area, the port is breaking Paraguay's Water Resouces Law 3239/07, which establishes water as a fundamental human right. - Several public institutions have warned that the port should not be located near the city's water intake. One of which is the Comptroller General of the Republic, who in August 2008 issued Resolution No 1329/07 which recommends that the Municipality of Asuncion undertake a review of its decisions in view of potentially irreversible impacts on the population's health. - The Paraguayan water company ESSAP, responsible for water distribution in the city, state that they do not have the technology to clean the water supply in the case of an accident in the port. - The first ruling of the Environment Directorate of the Municipality of Asuncion declared that Puerto Union represents a polluting and dangerous industry. Environmental legislation in Paraguay must be strengthened to ensure responsible behaviour by corporations and individuals, and to protect the Paraguayan people. Giving Cargill's port permission to operate weakens the authority of the Environment Ministry (SEAM) and sets a dangerous precedent in a country where environmental enforcement has been historically weak. Cargill's port must not be allowed to operate until it complies with the requirements laid down by the Ministry of Environment. I call on you to reverse your decision.

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Help Paraguay fight the soy invasion29 July 2013

The risk

Injustice

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Help Paraguay fight the soy invasion
29 July 2013