Triumph For Farmers As Guatemala Kick Out The Most Insane Law Ever!

The highest court in Guatemala has suspended the controversial ‘Monsanto Law,’ which would make it illegal for small farmers in Guatemala to save seeds from one year to the next as they have for centuries. But although it´s a victory for anti-GMO campaigners, it´s unlikely that Monsanto have given up.

Indigenous and peasant organizations marched in the capital of Guatemala last summer to reject the Law for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, known as `Monsanto Law´, which had been passed by Congress.

“The Mayan people would end if Monsanto privatize corn”,  says one protesting farmer in the video, with organic cobs stitched to his shirt.  “Without corn, we are nothing.” Not only that, but anyone caught saving indigenous seeds could face up to four years in prison.

This ridiculous law was recently struck down by Guatemala’s highest court, but according to campaign group The Sum Of Us: “Now Monsanto is saying the law is required under free trade deals, and it’s likely only a matter of time before it launches a wave of lawsuits to force Guatemala to give in.”

“Developing nations like Guatemala have no chance against a corporate superpower like Monsanto — that’s why we’re standing with Guatemala and fighting to stop the expansion of trade deals that allow this kind of bullying.”

You can support Guatemalan farmers against Monsanto by clicking here and sharing the video.

Image Credit: Flickr / Lorenzana & Sarhan, Inc

Popular on True Activist