Latin America videos
In Latin America, GM soy production has caused the destruction of millions of hectares of forest in Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. It has poisoned humans, livestock, and ecosystems.
The video Killing Fields: The True Cost of Cheap Meat, goes into this important story in detail.
The use of GMOs and increasingly aggressive chemicals transforms Argentina’s agricultural industry. Cases of cancer and deformities are rising – the local population fights against an invisible danger. This video shows pictures from "Stories from a wounded land", a photo-essay by the journalist Alvaro Ybarra Zavala on the terrible impacts of GMO agriculture in Argentina. Some of the images are shocking. (Time: 3:07)
Since being elected in 2008 as President of Paraguay, the 'Red Bishop' Fernando Lugo has been unable, or unwilling, to deliver on promises made to the landless farmers who got him to power in the first place. Meanwhile US and Brazilian-based soya industries are rapidly expanding and taking over Paraguay's agriculture, polluting much of its land and water sources and depriving small farmers of their means of livelihood. (Time: 8:29)
A new video of Andres Carrasco, professor of Molecular Embryology Laboratory at University of Buenos Aires, talking about his research showing birth defects cause by glyphosate, present in Roundup Ready Soy. (Time: 37.23)
This news report by journalist Rolando Grana, recorded in Santa Fe, Argentina, graphically shows the tragic human consequences of glyphosate spraying of GM soy, including babies with birth defects. It contains interviews with Dr Dario Gianfelici, a medical doctor; scientist Prof Andres Carrasco, whose research showed that glyphosate/Roundup causes birth defects in doses far lower than those used in agricultural spraying; and the journalist Marie-Monique Robin, who made the film, The World According to Monsanto. (Total time 21:51)
Hats off to this mother of three who got fed up and took charge. Thirteen years ago, Sofía Gatica's newborn died of kidney failure after being exposed to pesticides in the womb. After the despair came anger, then a fierce determination to protect the children in her community and beyond. (Time: 3:32)
Miguel Lovera, currently serving as the head of SENAVE, Paraguay's food and agricultural service, is currently the target of attacks for his agency's decision to destroy 44 hectares of illegally planted transgenic corm. Lovera, who also served as chief climate negotiator for Paraguay, discusses some of the challenges of enforcing agricultural and environmental regulations in a new democracy. (Time: 10:00)
A video produced by Chile without GMOs and narrated by Daniel Muñoz. The Chilean Congress has convened to inquire into GMOs in Chile. In Spanish with English subtitles – press the CC button for subtitles. (Time: 3:27)
Much of the cheap meat and dairy produce sold in supermarkets is only made possible as a result of serious human rights abuses and environmental damage in one of Latin America's most impoverished countries. This film documents the experiences of some of those caught up in Paraguay's growing conflict over soy farming. (Time 10:00)
On May 19 2009, a group of activists visited the WWF-Netherlands head office to protest against this organisation's initiative the 'Round Table on Responsible Soy' (RTRS). (Time 3:10)
Paraguay has become one of the world's biggest suppliers of genetically modified soya – much of it destined to feed cattle that ends up on European plates. This episode of Unreported World reveals how our demand for meat is driving the industrial farming of soya to disastrous lengths. (Time 23:53)
What's behind the "responsible" soy label? Detective Pig finds out... The soy industry is not what it seems. Soy production in South America means deforestation and pesticide poisonings – just to feed Europe's livestock. (Time: 1:30)
The action against the Round Table to show rejection! (Time 7:31)
Local farmers tell their stories of living with the devastating effects of soy cultivation in Paraguay. Support Friends of the Earth's work in Paraguay. (Time: 6:35)
The plight of the New Mexico heritage chili tradition, as it is threatened by incoming GE seeds, which could pollute the seeds that have been passed on for generations. (Time 8:20)
Excellent short German documentary, with English subtitles, about the effects of glyphosate-tolerant GM soy cultivation in South America and the import of GM soy animal feed into Europe. Includes interviews with researchers, Prof Andres Carrasco, and Prof Gilles-Eric Seralini. (Time: 7:51)