Protests against Monsanto in Costa Rica Today
Protests against Monsanto in Costa Rica Today
Monsanto, get out of Costa Rica. GMO-free foods
San Jose, May 25 (Prensa Latina) Costa Ricans are demonstrating against the U.S. multinational Monsanto, as part of a simultaneous worldwide protest to prevent the proliferation of genetically modified seeds.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Costa Rica granted (Monsanto) a license for the cultivation of transgenic corn.
The license was granted despite requests from academics, farmers and environmentalists to prevent it, but is now stopped by a lawsuit in court.
As part of the struggle for human health care and the environment, 55 municipalities, representing 60 percent of the national territory, declared themselves to be GMO-free, environmental activists reported.
...
http://www.prensa-latina.cu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&idioma=1&id=1447281&Itemid=1
Related:
Costa Rica: "We Don't Want Monsanto!"
By Brian Stoffel
March 12, 2013
...
A brewing storm
As soon as word got out that Monsanto had been granted this exception, several groups began weighing in against the company. Besides environmental groups, the agricultural and biology departments at the University of Costa Rica, as well as the Costa Rican Agronomy Engineers' Association, wrote letters warning of the inherent dangers of using seeds provided not by nature, but by scientists working in labs.
Many concerned parties began to mobilize to squash any attempt to bring genetically modified seeds into the country before a steady movement in that direction materialized.
Local cantons began voting in earnest to let their voice -- and, if obeyed, their laws -- be known. In fact, on the very same day Monsanto was granted its permission, the municipalities of Aserri, San Jose, and San Rafael de Heredia announced that GMOs would not be allowed in their soil.
Since then, the response has been clear and direct. Of the country's 81 cantons, 60% -- or 49 in total -- have voted to make it illegal to plant GMOs within the Canton lines. Keep in mind that most of this has transpired in just the past three months!

...
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/03/12/costa-rica-we-dont-want-monsanto.aspx