A Camp Against GMOs

Campsites are often places of discussion and ideas, where people share their life (and culinary) experiences. At the Slow Food Camp in Uruguay last month, the discussion (and food) was all about fostering a production system that is good, from a taste point of view, as well as socially and environmentally sustainable. It also focused on the important theme of genetically engineered (GM) crops, a plague in some parts of the world.

The situation is particularly serious and evident in South America, where the spread of GM crops and toxic products is reaching exorbitant levels, as demonstrated by, among others, important documentaries like El poison está en la mesa by Silvio Tendler and The World According to Monsanto by Marie Robin. Images of entire families and small farms surrounded by the advance of transgenic soy plantations cannot leave us indifferent. They are terrorizing images that remind us that food sovereignty is at risk every day.

Within this context, Slow Food Canario held Slow Camp in San Luis, Uruguay over February 4-7; a gathering of young people from across the country as well as from Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile, to strengthen their collaboration, particularly on the issue of GM food. Over four days the group shared ideas and meals, reflecting an incredible variety of styles and flavors, and updated each other on initiatives happening across South America. Their campaigns to stop the spread of GMOs in the region have included seminars in Uruguay, Chile and Brazil and a campaign for clear and accurate labeling in Argentina, the first southern cone country to allow the cultivation of GMO crops.

Four days of working to increase awareness and effectiveness, but also four days of the best local food – fish caught by traditional fishers, vegetables grown by organic producers and meat raised on local farms – because the search for quality food is a pro-active form of protest. Voting with our fork effectively reiterates our opposition to GM foods and to support those who cultivate respect for the environment and the health of the consumer.

To find out more: slowfoodcanelones.blogspot.it

Watch the video here:

Slow Camp 2013 Uruguay Canelones from Slowfood Canelones on Vimeo.