‘We are fed up!’: Thousands march against TTIP & GMOs in Berlin (PHOTOS, VIDEO)
Published time: January 17, 2015 20:08
German
farmers and consumer rights activists take part in a march to protest
against the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), mass
husbandry and genetic engineering in Berlin, January 17, 2015.
(Reuters/Fabrizio Bensch)
A broad alliance of farmers, ethical consumers, and
anti-capitalist activists staged a march through Berlin that numbered up
to 50,000, to denounce the proposed TTIP treaty between the US and EU,
and mass farming technologies.
More than 120 organizations joined the fifth annual ‘We are Fed
Up!’ demonstration, which this year focused on the increased
importation of American farming practices – such as genetic
modification, frequent antibiotic injections for animals, and
chemical meat treatments – following the implementation of the
controversial Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership
(TTIP).
A
demonstrators takes part in a German farmers and consumer rights
activists march to protest against the Transatlantic Trade and
Investment Partnership (TTIP), mass husbandry and genetic engineering in
Berlin, January 17, 2015. (Reuters/Fabrizio Bensch)
"The EU-USA trade agreement TTIP only serves global concerns,
and will take away the means of existence from many farms here
and across the world," rally organizer Jochen Fritz told the
media.
Tractors
take part in protest of German farmers and consumer rights activists
against the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), mass
husbandry and genetic engineering in Berlin, January 17, 2015.
(Reuters/Fabrizio Bensch)
Police said that 25,000 people joined the peaceful demonstration
– with organizers claiming twice that number – though the most
impressive spectacle included a procession of 80 tractors manned
by angry farmers. The demonstration was timed to coincide with
International Green Week, a large agriculture fair that has just
begun in Berlin.
German
farmers and consumer rights activists perform as the take part in a
march to protest against the Transatlantic Trade and Investment
Partnership (TTIP), mass husbandry and genetic engineering in front of
the Reichtsgas building Berlin, January 17, 2015. (Reuters/Fabrizio
Bensch)
“Eating is political. Every single decision I make about what
to buy is determined by how the animals are kept, or what grows
in our fields. And I can make sure that I support the farmers and
not the big agricultural industry corporations,” said Fritz.
A
protestor holds up a figure with a sign reading "market-compliant
democracy- we rule elections" (marktkonforme Demokratie- Die Wahlen
bestimmen wir) during a demonstration against the TTIP (Transatlantic
Trade and Investment Pact) in Berlin, on January 17, 2015. (AFP/DPA)
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The much stalled TTIP, whose 24-chapter provisional text was made
public last week after formal negotiations since July 2013, seeks
to formalize the economic relationship between the EU and US
economies across the board. The two partners trade nearly €1
billion (US$1.1 billion) worth of goods and services annually.
Protestors
take part in a demonstration against the TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and
Investment Pact) in Berlin, on January 17, 2015. (AFP/DPA)
But the search for standardization has led to wide rifts in
several areas – specifically agriculture – with US-based
multinationals such as Monsanto leading the way in technological
innovations, while the European public remains wary, despite
assurances from EU regulators.
Speaking at one of the Green Week events, Federal Agriculture
Minister Christian Schmidt promised to address the issues raised
by the demonstrators, and said that he welcomed the public
display of opinion.