Euro MPs see off soy16 March 2011
Hundreds of Euro MPs have voted for alternatives to soy.
Friend of the Earth activists across Europe have had great success drumming up support for a new report going through the European Parliament.
The report is packed with solutions to end the destruction caused by Europe's dependence on soy to feed factory farms.
Soy destructive
Europe imports vast amounts of soy from South America to feed its factory farmed animals. Soy destroys rainforests and evicts communities from their land.
And heavy spraying of pesticides on soy plantations poisons people and the environment.
Changing course
Previous bad decisions made in European trade and farming policy have created this cycle of destruction.
But with a complete reform of Europe's farming policy on the cards, we have a chance to end it.
A big step forward
The report is calling for changes in farming rules to encourage:
- Growing more animal feed in Europe
- Funds and training to help farmers grow their own animal feed
- Research into crops that are best suited to local areas
Getting it passed through the European Parliament is a big step forward.
No to GM
Unfortunately a few Euro MPs managed to include some pro-GM elements in the report..
GM soy increases the use of dangerous pesticides and locks farmers in poverty.
Friends of the Earth will keep campaigning to ensure planet-friendly solutions to the soy problem.
© Friends of the Earth
