A crop of genetically modified maize in Vivaro [Friuli- Venezia Giulia] was destroyed by “no global” protestors on Monday, reports ANSA.
Two weeks ago the farmer had caused outrage by announcing that the crop was ready to be harvested and Greenpeace tried to enter the field last week.
Monday’s protestors, from the group “Ya Basta”, donned white overalls and stamped violently on the plants, destroying all of them before police could intervene. A spokesman for the group said that they had acted “against the violence that GM crops wreak on the environment and on humans”.
There is widespread opposition to GM crops among farmers in Italy but the violent protest has been condemned by all: Coldiretti, the farmers’ union which campaigns for organic farming, said that the law must always be respected and the Governor of Friuli- Venezia Giulia has said that law-breakers will be dealt with decisively. Agriculture Minister Giancarlo Galan has likened the protestors to “fascist thugs”.
Coldiretti did, however, criticise politicians and officials for their slow response to the issue of GM crops. The Governor of neighbouring Veneto, former Agriculture minister Luca Zaia, has expressed concerns about possible cross-contamination from GM crops in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region.
Do you sympathise with the protestors or the farmer?
