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Peasant women of Via
Campesina occupy ilegal area owned by the Finnish-Swedish
Company Stora Enso
March 4th 2008
This
morning (March 4th) 900 peasant women from Via Campesina
Brasil occupied a 2,100 hectars farm owned by the
Finnish-Swedish company Stora Enso. This farm is
situated in Rosario do Sul, 400km far from Porto Alegre,
Southern Brazil, close to Uruguay border. This occupation is a
demonstration against the expansion of Eucaliptus plantation
in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, also called "the Green Desert".
The demonstration includes cut down of Eucaliptus trees and
planting seedlings of native tree species.
Despite of Brazilian Legislation does not allow foreing
companies to buy land 150 km far from Brazilian borders, Stora
Enso has been buying thousands of hectares. Stora Enso has
used another company registered in the name of Brazilians
individuals to buy 45,000 hectares in Rio Grande do Sul. The
Company plans to have at least 100,000 hectares with
Euycaliptus plantation in the border between Brazil and
Uruguay. There is also a Bill in the Brazilian Congress
prosing to reduce the distance from the border to facilitate
these acquisitions of land by foreign companies.
Therefore, the peasant women from Via Campesina Brasil
requires that Brazilian Government:
"We
know that to fight against the green desert can result in
police repression. To protect the interests of Companies that
practise crimes against society the Government of Rio Grande
do Sul has been dealing with social movements as criminals. We
will resist. Our fight is in defense os peoples life and
enviroment. We are here, 900 peasant women, and we carry with
us the energy and courage of millions of women peasants around
the world that are figthing against the commodification of
life and nature."
Via Campesina
Press contact:
(+55-51)
9992-7674
Email:
informa@mmcbrasil.com.br |
