It
is time to campaign for a GMO-free Europe!
Our vision is of European food and farming free from GM crops and corporate control.
By campaigning locally we also get to
areas where the biotechnology industry can’t reach. So local and regional
campaigning is crucial to ensure that we preserve a GM free agriculture and
GMO-free food in Europe.
Actions in
UE
Munich, Germany
One of Europe´s biggest farmer protests against genetically modified (GM) foods and crops took place on January 31 2004 in Munich, Germany.
In Spain
There are initiatives in Cataluña where several
organizations are asking for a GMO-free Cataluña. In particular an important
catalan farmers union, Unio de Pagesos, have asked the regional government on
9th March to declare Cataluña GMO-free.
Active Spanish Organisations and institutions on GMO
Amigos de la Tierra
COAG
In Scotland
Campaigning on what level?
Top
tips for running your campaign
More and more regions
and local governments all over Europe have started to declare themselves
GMO-free and through this grassroots approach national governments and the
European Union will be forced to acknowledge the will of the Europe people who
say “No to GMO”.
EU legislation allows “regional measures” to avoid
GM contamination (see legal chapter below), giving regional and local
governments tools to declare themselves GMO-free.
One of Europe´s biggest farmer protests against genetically modified (GM) foods and crops took place on January 31 2004 in Munich, Germany.
In Spain, several regions
have reacted to the authorization to commercially grow GM varieties granted by
the central government since 1998.
Ecoportal.net, el directorio
ecológico y natural
Greenpeace - Decir no a la ingeniería genética
Plataforma Transgènics Fora!
Plataforma Galega Antitransxénicos
Som Lo Que Sembrem
Actions and demonstrations in Spain
On 15 April 2013, a social movement of farmers, citizens and ecologists in Spain denounced the pro-GMO policies of the Spanish government during a week of action.
In UK
Greenpeace - Decir no a la ingeniería genética
Plataforma Transgènics Fora!
Plataforma Galega Antitransxénicos
Som Lo Que Sembrem
"Sóm lo que sembrem" is a platform that comes out from the Assembly of farmers
of Catalonia to support a Popular Legislative Initiative contrary to transgenic
crops in Calalonia.
The platform is composed by more than a hundred Catalan organizations.
Their aim is to raise
awareness of the implications of the Catalan population crops and GM food in
our house.
Our task is directed to:
a. Consumption: including health issues,
critical consumption, labeling, right to decide impact of GMOs in organic food,
etc.
b. Farming: particularly aimed at sowing
campaign in 2008, include the issue of the impact of GM crops.
c. Solidarity aimed to develop solidarity
actions to alleviate the repressive measures against the movement activists.
The aim of the ILP (Proposed Law) is to stop the cultivation and development of
GM foods in Catalan territory, as well as ensuring a thorough labeling of
products that contain raw materials.
Actions and demonstrations in Spain
On 15 April 2013, a social movement of farmers, citizens and ecologists in Spain denounced the pro-GMO policies of the Spanish government during a week of action.
This is the
fifth annual 'Action week against GMOs and in support of food sovereignty'
organised by farmers trade unions, consumers associations and green groups.
Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern
Ireland launched the GMO-free Britain campaign in October 2002 involving
particularly their own local group network, but increasingly also other groups.
A number of resources have been produced enabling
groups to lobby their local government to declare themselves GMO-free,
including campaign action guides, press material, in-depth briefings, as well
as promotion material like posters, leaflets and stickers. (see
In Scotland the Highland Council's Land &
Environment Select Committee has recommended the adoption of a revised Highland
Council policy on Genetically Modified crops. This policy was homologated on
18th December 2003. The policy recommends that the Council:
(a) take active steps to encourage the
establishment of a GM-free zone in the Highlands
(b) open discussions with the 10 European regions
opposed to GM crops and who were appealing on this basis to the European
Commission
(c) initiate discussion with the NFUS, SCF and
other agencies, adjacent Local Authorities and the wider Highland community to
seek their support for the Council's view; and
(d) call on SEERAD to introduce rules on
co-existence that would ensure that organic and conventional farms would not be
compromised by the presence of GM production, in the event that other parts of
the UK became involved in such production http://www.gmfreescotland.net/
In February 2004 the Welsh and Scottish executive
blocked the go-ahead for the first GM crop in Britain, a strain of GM maize
called Chardon LL or T25 and patented by Bayer. The Welsh executive has pointed
out that UK regulations stipulate that a particular crop can be grown in one
country only if the other two agree.
Campaigns
for GMO-free zones in Europe have been targeting authorities on different
levels. There are four main approaches:
-National
approach
- Regional
approach
- Local
approach
- Target
big (mostly public) land owners
·
Remember you don’t have to be an expert.
You are acting as a concerned citizen.
You are acting as a concerned citizen.
·
Find out what else is going on in your area.
Are any other groups in your area working on GM
already? Could you team up?
·
Divide up responsibilities.
This is
not a campaign for one person! One can build links, Another of you may want to take on the role
of media contact and another the organising of events such as the campaign
launch.
·
Make a plan
The best way to approach it and which of the actions
outlined in this pack might be best taken
·
Meet regularly
Feedback
on developments, revise your plans, share new ideas, and set further action
points at a regular meeting.
·
Keep a record of suport
If businesses, organisations or celebrities declare
their support, share this at your meetings and keep a record in one place so
all of your group know who’s already on board.
·
Be positive
Environmental campaigners are often seen as being
against everything. It’s really important to propose positive alternatives, for
example healthy food, organic food, local food production for local
consumption, and support for the local economy. All of these provide economic,
social and environmental benefits.
·
Remember that winning is not everything
It’s more important to raise the issue and increase
awareness, generate vocal support within your community and maintain the
debate.
THIS IS THE
WORKSHEET GIVEN TO THE STUDENTS
CAMPAIGN: YOU CAN
CHANGE IT, BUT ... WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO DO IT?
You have to organize a PLAN OF ACTION:
- What are
the problems?
- Find
solutions
- Look for
supporters and sponsors
- You need
publicity
- Organize a
march
- Write
banners
- Organize a
sport event
- Volunteer
to help to …
- start an
email campaign
Vocabulary:
Publicize/publicity
Meet/meeting
Organize/organization
March
|
Protest
Sponsor
Campaign
Boycott those shops
|
We need publicity / Invite journalists to a meeting / Organize a march in the street / Organize a protest / Volunteer to help to … / Look for supporters and sponsors /
Key phrases:
Key phrases:
Let’s organize a meeting
How about (starting an email campaign)?
Why don’t we (boycott the ….?
Shall we (protest about the decision)?
Might – for possibility
Will - for sure
1st conditional: If people stop ….…, we will …..
// We will …… if people stop …..
If they don't ............., we will.......// We will ......... if they don't .....
If they don't ............., we will.......// We will ......... if they don't .....
"It is time for an awakening" / "Is it a save
and beneficial process?" / "Is it dangerous for the
Environment?" / "Does Genetic Engineering create serious
Environmental problems?" / "
Does it affect wildlife?" / "Can
Animals be GM? Protect the animals" / "Are you benefitting from
Genetically engineered crops?" / "Are you paying a dear price for you
and your children's future?" / "Are
GMOs safe to eat? /
- Genetically modified food 1(If people let government decide what foods they eat…)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOt2mDngNLA
1. Tips for a
healthy lifestyle mind map:
Just 60 minutes of activity a day can make a big difference.
Step 1: Choose an activity 
Active encouragement.
Encouraging your children to take part in fun family activity can help prevent
major illnesses like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer later in life.
It can also help them be happier and more confident and help them control their
weight and even sleep better at night.
Just 60 minutes is all it takes and lots of things count like using the hall for hopping races, playing football in the garden with the washing line as a goal, and putting on a dance show in the front room. And they can break their 60 minutes down into 15 minutes here and 10 minutes there throughout the day.
Take life on, one step at a time. TIPS:
Going for a walk with a friend is a great way to spend
an evening
and a lot cheaper than going elsewhere.
Get out with the Kids
Try walking some of the way to and from
your destination. You only need to get off the bus a couple of stops early.
Over time that will make a real difference to your health and fitness,
one step at a time.
Get out at Lunchtime
Leave the Car
When you pop out to the local shop, why not walk
instead of taking the car?
Get on up!
Choose a Campaign
to support and organize a PLAN OF ACTION:
1. Healthy lifestyle Campaign
2. Protect the welfare of our wildlife
3. Help Hens lay their Eggs Campaign
4. Action Against GMOs in Spain Campaign
5. Pro Biological Food Campaign
6. Take Action for the Welfare of farm animals. Worried about farm
animals?
7.Food Waste Reduction Campaign
8. Step up for animals used in research and testing
9. Campaign to improve the lives of Europe's dairy cows. Supporting better dairy.
10. Local Food Campaign.
11.Healthy Eating for all Campaign
12.Elephant Ivory Poaching Campaign (Animal welfare)
13. The welfare of animals in Captivity Campaign
14. Save
endangered animals Campaign
15. Our life at
the cost of theirs Campaign
Just 60 minutes of activity a day can make a big difference.
That’s all it takes to make people healthier and happier. And you don’t even have to do
all the activity in one go.
Instead you can do it bit by bit throughout the day. And it adds up in no time.
- Walk to/from school
- Chase dog around garden
- Chase brother/sister around sofa
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Walking in the park
- Running round the playground
- Helping with the shopping
- Helping with the vacuuming
- Tidying your bedroom
- Playing an active video game
- Dancing in the front room
- Skipping in the garden
- Helping with the gardening
- Playing hide and seek
- Playing balloon volleyball
- Skateboarding
- Rollerblading
- Playing ‘chase’ in the park
- Aerobics
- Running
- Gymnastics
- Playing football
- Tennis/badminton
- Martial arts such as karate
- Games like hopscotch
Why 60 minutes is important?
Ensuring children get at least 60 minutes of activity, which gets them hot and slightly out of breath each day can help prevent major illnesses later in life.
Ensuring children get at least 60 minutes of activity, which gets them hot and slightly out of breath each day can help prevent major illnesses later in life.
Kids who are active are more likely to have a healthy
weight and a better outlook on life. And the more active they become, the more
they’ll start to enjoy physical activity, so things get better all the time.
Tempt them away from the TV and computer whenever possible and reduce the time
they spend sitting on buses and in cars by suggesting they walk part of the
way. It’s much more fun than being stuck in traffic and it’ll count towards
their 60 minutes.
Physical activity helps kids to:
- Be happy
- Sleep well at night
- Concentrate at school
- Control their weight
- Grow up healthy and strong
- Meet new friends
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Improve their confidence
Active encouragement.
Just 60 minutes is all it takes and lots of things count like using the hall for hopping races, playing football in the garden with the washing line as a goal, and putting on a dance show in the front room. And they can break their 60 minutes down into 15 minutes here and 10 minutes there throughout the day.
Take life on, one step at a time. TIPS:
and a lot cheaper than going elsewhere.
As parents,
you play a vital role in shaping
what your kids think about physical activity. Just making a few
small changes can make a massive difference. Chasing your kids around the
garden or park, or having a kick about is good for you and fun for them.
Swimming is also a fun way to get you and the kids fit. The easiest way to be active every day is to make it part of
your daily routine, a bit like brushing your teeth, but more fun.
Walk more often
Try walking some of the way to and from
your destination. You only need to get off the bus a couple of stops early.
Over time that will make a real difference to your health and fitness,
one step at a time.
Why not go to the shops or park at lunchtime instead
of staying at work? The walk will also make you feel more awake in the
afternoon.
Leave the Car
Draw the curtains, turn up the music and dance around
the living room to your favorite songs.
Take the Stairs
Try taking the stairs instead of the lift or the
escalator.
Gardens and Parks
Even planting flowers and growing vegetables can be
good for you. Yup, even gardening counts as exercise. For those of us without
one, or if green fingers aren't your thing, a walk through a park can be
invigorating as well as being a much needed break from your daily routine.
2. PROTECT
THE WELFARE OF OUR WILDLIFE CAMPAIGN
What are wild animals?
Wild animals are the animals that
live free in the environment and have not been domesticated or closed in a
cage.
·
Humans are destroying their habitats.
·
These animals are hunted for leisure.
·
Because in the food chain when one specie
is affected all ecosystem is affected too. It’s because the cycle of matter.
·
The climate change and the pollution of
the environment.
·
Introducing exotic animals that compete
with native species. It can alter the food chain and can end with the native
species.
·
To
avoid this problem first of all we need to aware people of this important
problem. If they don’t know the problem, they will never help us to
mend it.
·
To
ban large-scale fishing with nets that destroys the seabed, which it’s the
habitat of a lot species that dead because they can’t survive without it.
·
Crate
more natural reserves where people can’t make buildings and hunt animals.
·
Try
to use more renewable energies.
·
Take
care of our environment and don’t dirty it.
·
Reduce
the gas emissions and toxic substances to the atmosphere and our seas from
the industries.
·
Create
SOS places for the endangered animals that can be extinct.
·
Control
the size of the cities and try to preserve the land that belongs to the
animals.
To solve this problem, we think there should be more
government implication about the preservation of the environment and the
protection of the welfare of our wildlife. In our opinion they aren't
involved in these things.
3. HELP HENS LAY THEIR EGGS CAMPAIGN
Egg laying
hens are one of the few types of farm animal in the UK that, on some
farms, are still kept in close-confinement cage systems for all of their
productive lives.
More and more
people are choosing eggs from hens kept in higher-welfare alternative systems,
such as barn or free-range.
Hens are
naturally inquisitive animals with a strong desire to perch, preen themselves, dust
bathe, forage and nest. 
Although the
design of battery cages changed by law across Europe in 2012, from the barren
to the so-called ‘enriched’ battery cage, we are still very concerned that hens
can’t carry out all of their important natural behaviors properly in such an
environment. We want to see all laying hens kept in well-managed free-range or
barn systems instead.
Love hens? Enjoy eggs?
Always choose eggs labeled :
- Freedom Food
- Free-range
- Organic
- Barn
- quiche
- sandwiches
- mayonnaise
- cakes
- pasta
All egg boxes are labeled with how the hens were
farmed. Make sure you check the box carefully, and don't buy eggs marked with
'Eggs from caged hens'.
4. ACTION AGAINST
GMOs IN SPAIN CAMPAIGN
It’s time for awakening.
GMO crops are destroying our environment and we should do
something about it. We don’t know for
sure the side effects that this type of food will have on us so we must protest
to change this situation. We must stay all together to fight for our rights to
eat healthy food instead of genetically modified food! It’s bad for our health
and people have to be aware of this problem so this way we can live in a better
world.
We
have found the best solution for everybody: We need to stop eating all the GMOs
as a sign of protest and industries will have to ban all these products
forever. To achieve this goal we have planned to organize a meeting where all
people will be welcomed and we encourage you to take part in this project. To
do, it we also need sponsors and publicity to promote this activity so more
people will join us in our cause. Please, could anyone help us to find a
journalist or sponsors? Contact us as soon as possible.
We
will also take in account all your ideas and proposals to raise this campaign.
If there’s anything you want to share with us and you think it might be helpful
send it to the email actionagainstgmos@greenmail.com.
Remember the march will take place in Barcelona on the 23rd of June
and we will go all the way through Les Rambles. It will start at 9:00 and we
will approximately finish at 12:00 but if you are really interested in this
topic you can stay with us to hand leaflets to other citizens.
Are you
paying a dear price for you and
your children’s future? |
6. Take Action for the Welfare of farm animals. Worried about farm
animals?
 |
 |
We would like to improve the welfare of as many farm animals as
possible, at every stage of their lives and to help to improve
conditions for farm animals at markets, during transport and at slaughter.
 |
 |
Campaigning for farm animals
We aim to
improve the lives and reduce the suffering of farm animals by:
- Aiming to have all farmed
animals kept to higher welfare standards
- Improving farm animal
welfare legislation and ensuring it is enforced
- Encouraging consumers to
replace meat, eggs and dairy products with those from higher welfare
production systems
- Ensuring animal products
are properly labeled so consumers can make higher welfare choices
- Stopping the long
distance live transport of animals for slaughter or further fattening.
These are
just five of our goals.
How can you help? Join our campaign...
...to improve the welfare of as many farm animals
as possible, at every stage of their lives. Please support
our campaigns for farm animals.
8. Step up for animals used in research and
testing Campaign
Our laboratory animal campaigns take a
constructive, practical approach to replacing animal experiments, reducing the
number of animals used and reducing suffering.
Working with
government, industry and science to improve the welfare of lab animals.
Lab animal law
We campaigned
hard to ensure there would be no weakening of UE regulations on animal
experiments.
Cosmetics testing on animals
Animal
testing is the ugly side of beauty. Say 'No' to cruel cosmetics!
Take action for lab animals
Join us and take action today - calling on the "Departament
d'Agricultura, Ramaderia, Pesca, Alimentació i Medi Natural" to launch an independent inquiry into the unacceptable practices uncovered in
our labs. Your email will be sent direct to Sr. Josep Maria Pelegrí i Aixut,
the minister responsible for the department which licenses and regulates the
use of animals in laboratories.
9.
Campaign to improve the lives of Europe's dairy cows
"COWS
BELONG TO FIELDS"
Dairy cattle (also called dairy cows or milk cows) are
cattle cows (adult females) bred for the ability to produce large quantities of
milk, from which dairy products are made. Dairy cows generally are of the
species "Bonos Taurus".
The campaign to improve the lives of Europe’s
dairy cows: Milk, butter and cheese can be a daily part of many people’s diet,
yet despite the lovely image of black and white cows roaming a field, there are
concerns about the welfare of Europe's dairy cows.
Many animal protection organizations are working
together on this important issue.
Specific EU regulations already safeguard other
farm animals but dairy cows have no such protection, meaning that welfare
standards vary greatly across the EU, with some suffering from poor health and
inadequate housing.
The "Supporting better Dairy" campaign aims to introduce EU-wide legislation that will set
standards to protect the welfare of 20 million dairy cows and we need your
action to help make this happen…
It's about
you!
|
We Love
cows!
|
The sad truth
|
We're
calling for new rules!
|
Who's in?
|
Take action for Europe's dairy cows: Email the EU
Commission today.
Letter to the EU
Commission
Europe’s 23
Million cows don't have specific rules to protect their welfare as there are
for pigs and hens. I think it’s unfair and I believe we need to show our
hard-working dairy cows some love. I want you to use your influence to
introduce a specific EU Directive to protect them. The campaign Supporting
Better Dairy has a full proposal on the Directive content that I believe you
should consider. You can view it at http://www.happycows.eu/EUDirectiveContent
Thank you,
11. Healthy Eating for all Campaign
Top tips for healthy eating
Love your labels
Food labels are the best way of
checking what you're eating as they can tell you what's hidden inside the food.
Once you know what/ how to use them, you'll soon be able to make healthier
choices when you're shopping.
Be calorie smart
Counting calories are a really
handy way of helping you choose balanced meals each day, and not eating more
than your body needs.
Eat well plate
The eat well plate is a brilliant
idea - it helps you eat a balanced diet by showing you how much of what type of
food to eat at each meal. Simple!
Share packaged foods
Share packaged foods
Many foods and drinks are
packaged for two adults sharing, so if you’re eating by yourself avoid
temptation and save some for later.
Eat a little slower
It takes time for our brains to register
we’re full, so try to eat more slowly. If you’re
eating with friends or family try pacing yourself to the slowest eater.
Focus on your food
Eating distractedly, such as in
front of the TV, means we eat more without noticing or even enjoying it. Swap
the TV for the table.
Aim to feel satisfied, not
stuffed
Try eating just one plate of food
and don’t go back for seconds.
Super start your day
Don’t be tempted to skip
breakfast, even if you’re trying to lose weight. If you have a healthy
breakfast in the morning you’re less likely to want to snack before lunch.
Mix and match
If you know you’ll be having a
proper dinner later, keep an eye on the calories by having a lighter lunch.
Pack it in
Plan ahead and try to take a
packed lunch to work or when you are out and about. It can work out cheaper.
Spot the difference
Spot the difference
Swap a big dinner plate for a
smaller one and you’ll have a smaller portion. It will also look as if you have
more food on your plate too.
Max your pocket, not your drink!
Try swapping for a regular size
coffee made with lower fat milk – less calories
12. Elephant
Ivory Poaching Campaign (Animals welfare)
The Asian Elephant population is
being devastated by the excessive amounts of ivory being poached. The desirable
quality about ivory is its beauty, but is it worth killing off an entire
species for the creation of chachkies? Globally, creating an absolute ban would
be very difficult and maybe not realistic. Nonetheless, there should most
definitely be some kind of law regulating the amount of elephants murdered in
the process in search of ivory.
We decided to support the
"Elephants from illegal ivory markets".
We are working to keep ivory where it belongs and you can help!
"Ivory belongs on elephants"
MAKE
DREAMS COME TRUE
THE ILLEGAL IVORY MARKET
We are going to deal with the problems in our
planet of “THE ILLEGAL IVORY MARKETS”.
Nowadays there are some elephants which are born
without a horn.
Our organisation wants to protect the
elephants from the hunters. We ask you for collaboration to solve
this problem.
1. Many elephants die becouse
of the illegal ivory market.
2. The coast of one horn is
between 75-100 dolars.
3. Nowadays some
elephants are born without horn.
ACTIONS:
1. Put into prison all
elephant hunters.
2. Stop the sales of ivory.
3. Invent new methods to
protect elephants.
SURVEY:
Hello, we are OSE, an “Organitzation to Save the
Elephants” and we are doing a survey to see the opinion of the people.
· Are you in
favour of the illegal ivory market? YES NO
· Do you
think we should do something about it? YES NO
· Do you
think we should look for the hunters and punish them? YES NO
THE EVENT:
Citizens of Barcelona, we let you know that next
Thursday October 13th, 2013 we, the "OSE organization" is organizing a race
because we need to collect a lot of money to contribute in an elephant
protection campaign.
To take part in this event it is necessary to pay 10€.
Others coming soon
…
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