China detains five in meat probe by Financial Times | 6 Aug 2014 China | United States | corporations Chinese authorities have detained five employees of a US-owned company accused of relabelling expired meat amid allegations of systemic violations at a key supplier to McDonald’s, KFC and other fast-food chains in China and Japan. Chinese authorities have detained five employees of a US-owned company accused of relabelling expired meat amid allegations of systemic violations at a key supplier to McDonald’s, KFC and other fast-food chains in China and Japan.
Report: big firm pays reporters by Bangkok Post | 16 Jul 2014 Thailand | corporations An Asian agribusiness giant spends 50,000 dollars a month to influence media and social networks in Thailand to keep its image positive, according to a report from the Thailand Information Centre For Civil Rights and Investigative Journalism (TCIJ) – the money goes to reporters, radio hosts, websites and others. In the wake of the report, Charoen Pokhpand Foods admitted the firm had set aside a budget for the press, but insists that the process was accountable and transparent. An Asian agribusiness giant spends 50,000 dollars a month to influence media and social networks in Thailand to keep its image positive, according to a report from the Thailand Information Centre For Civil Rights and Investigative Journalism (TCIJ) – the money goes to reporters, radio hosts, websites and others. In the wake of the report, Charoen Pokhpand Foods admitted the firm had set aside a budget for the press, but insists that the process was accountable and transparent.
A new look at land-grabs in the global South linked to EU biomass policies by Almuth Ernsting | 7 Jul 2014 land grabbing | corporations | climate crisis A new look at land-grabs in the global south linked to EU biomass policies, report by Almuth Ernsting of Biofuelwatch A new look at land-grabs in the global south linked to EU biomass policies, report by Almuth Ernsting of Biofuelwatch
The new scramble for Africa infographics by WDM | 19 Jun 2014 land grabbing | corporations | Angola | Kenya | Mozambique | Senegal | Tanzania In the nineteenth century scramble for Africa, European colonial powers took control of the continent’s land, resources and people. Today’s multinational corporations, aided by governments, are taking control over Africa’s food system. Great infographics by WDM In the nineteenth century scramble for Africa, European colonial powers took control of the continent’s land, resources and people. Today’s multinational corporations, aided by governments, are taking control over Africa’s food system. Great infographics by WDM
Revealed: Asian slave labour producing prawns for supermarkets in US, UK by The Guardian | 16 Jun 2014 Myanmar | Thailand | corporations | Cambodia Slaves forced to work for no pay for years at a time under threat of extreme violence are being used in Asia in the production of seafood sold by major US, British and other European retailers. Slaves forced to work for no pay for years at a time under threat of extreme violence are being used in Asia in the production of seafood sold by major US, British and other European retailers.
'Hungry for land' in the Guardian by Guardian | 28 May 2014 land grabbing | corporations | food sovereignty John Vidal of The Guardian covers GRAIN's 'Hungry for land' report John Vidal of The Guardian covers GRAIN's 'Hungry for land' report
Soil to sky: agroecology vs. industrial agriculture by Christensen Fund | 8 Feb 2014 corporations | food sovereignty | seeds & biodiversity A great educational poster contrasting industrial agriculture and agroecology. By the Christensen Fund. A great educational poster contrasting industrial agriculture and agroecology. By the Christensen Fund.
World Bank funding a company implicated in human rights abuses in Honduras by International and Honduran CSOs | 21 Jan 2014 Honduras | land grabbing | corporations Internal investigation found the World Bank's International Finance Corporation failed to adhere to policies to protect local communities; failed to disclose vital project information, consult with local communities, or identify the project as a high-risk investment; ignored or failed to spot the serious social, political and human rights Dinant operates in. Internal investigation found the World Bank's International Finance Corporation failed to adhere to policies to protect local communities; failed to disclose vital project information, consult with local communities, or identify the project as a high-risk investment; ignored or failed to spot the serious social, political and human rights Dinant operates in.
The Gates Foundation's hypocritical investments by Alex Park & Jaeah Lee | 16 Jan 2014 United States | corporations According to its website, the Gates Foundation "works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives." So how do the investments of the foundation's $36 billion investing arm, the Gates Foundation Trust, match up to its mission? Alex Park and Jaeah Lee of Mother Jones dug into the group's tax returns to find out. ExxonMobil, Walmart, and McDonald's are just a few of the companies that the mega-charity supports. According to its website, the Gates Foundation "works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives." So how do the investments of the foundation's $36 billion investing arm, the Gates Foundation Trust, match up to its mission? Alex Park and Jaeah Lee of Mother Jones dug into the group's tax returns to find out. ExxonMobil, Walmart, and McDonald's are just a few of the companies that the mega-charity supports.
How Bill Gates is helping KFC take over Africa by Alex Park, Mother Jones | 13 Jan 2014 Mozambique | South Africa | Zambia | corporations | food sovereignty The Gates Foundation and USAID are helping the Colonel's African expansion, perhaps at the expense of local farmers. The Gates Foundation and USAID are helping the Colonel's African expansion, perhaps at the expense of local farmers.
Monsanto Suspends Construction in Córdoba Due to Protests by Argentina Independent | 3 Oct 2013 Argentina | corporations | seeds & biodiversity Monsanto has been forced to put construction of its plant in Malvinas Argentinas, Córdoba, on hold as protesters blockade an access road, citing concerns over the health risks and contamination from the plant’s activity. Monsanto has been forced to put construction of its plant in Malvinas Argentinas, Córdoba, on hold as protesters blockade an access road, citing concerns over the health risks and contamination from the plant’s activity.
Nyéléni 15: Smallholder agri-investments by Nyéléni | 30 Sep 2013 land grabbing | corporations In October the World Committee on Food Security (CFS) will meet to discuss principles for ‘Responsible investments in agriculture’. We must shout out the message that not all investment is the same. And ask important questions - Investment in what type of agriculture? By whom? For whose benefit? In October the World Committee on Food Security (CFS) will meet to discuss principles for ‘Responsible investments in agriculture’. We must shout out the message that not all investment is the same. And ask important questions - Investment in what type of agriculture? By whom? For whose benefit?
Factory Food From Above: Satellite Images of Industrial Farms by Brandon Keim | 17 Sep 2013 United States | corporations | climate crisis | food sovereignty Seen from a satellite, an industrial feedlot has a sort of abstract beauty. The washes of colors, the juxtaposition of organic and rigid geometries, initially obscure the subject. Then comes the realization: That’s where our food comes from. Seen from a satellite, an industrial feedlot has a sort of abstract beauty. The washes of colors, the juxtaposition of organic and rigid geometries, initially obscure the subject. Then comes the realization: That’s where our food comes from.
Half of China's antibiotics now go to livestock by Mother Jones | 10 Sep 2013 China | United States | corporations Tom Philpott explains how China's booming use of antibiotics in meat production stems from its following of a model of industrial livestock farming developed by US corporations. Tom Philpott explains how China's booming use of antibiotics in meat production stems from its following of a model of industrial livestock farming developed by US corporations.
Why unions need to join the climate fight by Naomi Klein | 5 Sep 2013 Canada | corporations | climate crisis Naomi Klein, addressing the founding convention of a new Canadian workers union, arguing that the fight against the climate crisis should be at the centre of their struggle. Radical, refreshing and cutting through myths and stereotypes. Naomi Klein, addressing the founding convention of a new Canadian workers union, arguing that the fight against the climate crisis should be at the centre of their struggle. Radical, refreshing and cutting through myths and stereotypes.