Filipino Farmers Protests Rice Trade Liberalization Policy

Dear Friends,

We would like to share with you our protest action in front of the National Food Authority (NFA) office in Quezon City last July 30, 2010 calling for the prosecution of former president Gloria Arroyo and former Agriculture secretary Arthur Yap for over-importation of rice. The farmers led by the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and KASAMAT-TK together with Bantay Bigas also called for the immediate distribution of over-stocked rice to victims of typhoons and extreme drought.

The Bantay Bigas is a national network of farmers, consumers, and public and private organizations pushing for the realization of sufficient, safe and affordable rice for every Filipino family. The KMP is a co-convenor of Bantay Bigas.

Bantay Bigas lambasted the policy of rice trade liberalization as the culprit behind the flooding and rotting of rice in warehouses of the National Food Authority (NFA).

In a statement, Bantay Bigas said “Since the country entered World Trade Organization (WTO), we were obligated to import from one (1) to four (4) per cent of our annual rice consumption. However, since 1995 the country imported many times over what was required from its commitment.”

See the link below:

http://www.arkibongbayan.org/2010/2010-07July30--RallyatNFA/Protest%20at...