Kisan Coordination Committee - Revision history

Claire Robinson at 14:44, 19 April 2009

2009-04-19T14:44:39Z

Claire Robinson at 14:42, 19 April 2009

2009-04-19T14:42:47Z

Claire Robinson at 14:16, 19 April 2009

2009-04-19T14:16:46Z

Claire Robinson at 14:15, 19 April 2009

2009-04-19T14:15:36Z

Claire Robinson at 20:56, 15 March 2009

2009-03-15T20:56:04Z

Claire Robinson at 20:55, 15 March 2009

2009-03-15T20:55:00Z

Claire Robinson at 15:14, 12 March 2009

2009-03-12T15:14:42Z

Rebecca Gordon-Nesbitt at 10:39, 7 March 2009

2009-03-07T10:39:20Z

Claire Robinson at 18:09, 25 November 2008

2008-11-25T18:09:54Z

Claire Robinson at 18:14, 18 November 2008

2008-11-18T18:14:25Z

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 In September 2002 KCC urged leaders at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, South Africa, to 'respect their freedom' to grow GM crops. Representatives of KCC and the [[Federation of Farmers Associations]] also joined a pro-biotech march there organised by the far right [[Sustainable Development Network]], and at which [[TJ Buthelezi]] and representatives [[AfricaBio]] were present.
-The founder of KCC and [[Shetkari Sanghatana]], [[Sharad Joshi]], is also the leader of a grouping called [[Farmers for Freedom (India)|Farmers for Freedom]]. Joshi describes himself as a  'Peasant Leader'. His organisations are presented as representing the typical Indian peasant farmer.
+The founder of KCC and Shetkari Sanghatana, [[Sharad Joshi]], is also the leader of a grouping called [[Farmers for Freedom (India)|Farmers for Freedom]]. Joshi describes himself as a  'Peasant Leader'. His organisations are presented as representing the typical Indian peasant farmer.
 A press release from [[EuropaBio]], for instance, describes [[Shetkari Sanghatna]] as 'the mainstream farmers' movement in India.'<ref>EuropaBio[http://www.europabio.org/PRGeneral.htm press release.] </ref> According to the press release, 'The umbrella organisation of farmers'39; unions, led by [[Shetkari Sanghatna]] and representing several million farmers from 14 Indian states, is the KCC or Kisan Coordination Committee.'

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:42, 19 April 2009
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−	The '''Kisan Coordination Committee''' (KCC)<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/in/farmersforfreedom/fccdefault.html Kisan Coordination Committee]</ref> - 'kisan' means 'farmer' - is one of a cluster of 'farmer unions' in India that, in close coordination with the biotech industry and a network of pro-corporate lobbyists, have worked to promote GM crops. Others include [[Shetkari ~~Sanghatna~~]] (SS)<ref>[http://www.shetkari.org Shetkari Sanghatana]</ref> , [[Farmers for Freedom (India)]] (FFF) and the [[Federation of Farmers Associations]] (FFA).	+	The '''Kisan Coordination Committee''' (KCC)<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/in/farmersforfreedom/fccdefault.html Kisan Coordination Committee]</ref> - 'kisan' means 'farmer' - is one of a cluster of 'farmer unions' in India that, in close coordination with the biotech industry and a network of pro-corporate lobbyists, have worked to promote GM crops. Others include [[Shetkari Sanghatana]] (SS)<ref>[http://www.shetkari.org Shetkari Sanghatana]</ref> , [[Farmers for Freedom (India)]] (FFF) and the [[Federation of Farmers Associations]] (FFA).

	In 1999 a KCC delegation lobbied for GM crops in 5 European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland), at the invitation of [[EuropaBio]] and in coordination with biotech giant [[Novartis]] and PR firm [[Burson Marsteller]]. A spokesperson for KCC was quoted condemning Christian Aid's critical report on GM crops as, 'anti-technology propaganda' and 'pseudo-scientific rhetoric from NGO activists who think that they know what is good for Indian farmers'.<ref>[http://www.europabio.org/upload/articles/article_31_EN.pdf Spokesperson for KCC]</ref>		In 1999 a KCC delegation lobbied for GM crops in 5 European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland), at the invitation of [[EuropaBio]] and in coordination with biotech giant [[Novartis]] and PR firm [[Burson Marsteller]]. A spokesperson for KCC was quoted condemning Christian Aid's critical report on GM crops as, 'anti-technology propaganda' and 'pseudo-scientific rhetoric from NGO activists who think that they know what is good for Indian farmers'.<ref>[http://www.europabio.org/upload/articles/article_31_EN.pdf Spokesperson for KCC]</ref>

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:16, 19 April 2009
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−	The '''Kisan Coordination Committee''' (KCC)<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/in/farmersforfreedom/fccdefault.html Kisan Coordination Committee]</ref> - 'kisan' means 'farmer' - is one of a cluster of 'farmer unions' in India that, in close coordination with the biotech industry and a network of pro-corporate lobbyists, have worked to promote GM crops. Others include Shetkari Sanghatna (SS)<ref>[http://www.shetkari.org Shetkari ~~Sanghatna~~]</ref> , [[Farmers for Freedom]] (FFF) and the [[Federation of Farmers Associations]] (FFA).	+	The '''Kisan Coordination Committee''' (KCC)<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/in/farmersforfreedom/fccdefault.html Kisan Coordination Committee]</ref> - 'kisan' means 'farmer' - is one of a cluster of 'farmer unions' in India that, in close coordination with the biotech industry and a network of pro-corporate lobbyists, have worked to promote GM crops. Others include [[Shetkari Sanghatna]] (SS)<ref>[http://www.shetkari.org Shetkari Sanghatana]</ref> , [[Farmers for Freedom (India)]] (FFF) and the [[Federation of Farmers Associations]] (FFA).

	In 1999 a KCC delegation lobbied for GM crops in 5 European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland), at the invitation of [[EuropaBio]] and in coordination with biotech giant [[Novartis]] and PR firm [[Burson Marsteller]]. A spokesperson for KCC was quoted condemning Christian Aid's critical report on GM crops as, 'anti-technology propaganda' and 'pseudo-scientific rhetoric from NGO activists who think that they know what is good for Indian farmers'.<ref>[http://www.europabio.org/upload/articles/article_31_EN.pdf Spokesperson for KCC]</ref>		In 1999 a KCC delegation lobbied for GM crops in 5 European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland), at the invitation of [[EuropaBio]] and in coordination with biotech giant [[Novartis]] and PR firm [[Burson Marsteller]]. A spokesperson for KCC was quoted condemning Christian Aid's critical report on GM crops as, 'anti-technology propaganda' and 'pseudo-scientific rhetoric from NGO activists who think that they know what is good for Indian farmers'.<ref>[http://www.europabio.org/upload/articles/article_31_EN.pdf Spokesperson for KCC]</ref>

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 In September 2002 KCC urged leaders at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, South Africa, to 'respect their freedom' to grow GM crops. Representatives of KCC and the [[Federation of Farmers Associations]] also joined a pro-biotech march there organised by the far right [[Sustainable Development Network]], and at which [[TJ Buthelezi]] and representatives [[AfricaBio]] were present.
-The founder of KCC and [[Shetkari Sanghatana]], [[Sharad Joshi]], is also the leader of a grouping called [[Farmers for Freedom]]. Joshi describes himself as a  'Peasant Leader'. His organisations are presented as representing the typical Indian peasant farmer.
+The founder of KCC and [[Shetkari Sanghatana]], [[Sharad Joshi]], is also the leader of a grouping called [[Farmers for Freedom (India)|Farmers for Freedom]]. Joshi describes himself as a  'Peasant Leader'. His organisations are presented as representing the typical Indian peasant farmer.
 A press release from [[EuropaBio]], for instance, describes [[Shetkari Sanghatna]] as 'the mainstream farmers' movement in India.'<ref>EuropaBio[http://www.europabio.org/PRGeneral.htm press release.] </ref> According to the press release, 'The umbrella organisation of farmers'39; unions, led by [[Shetkari Sanghatna]] and representing several million farmers from 14 Indian states, is the KCC or Kisan Coordination Committee.'

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-The '''Kisan Coordination Committee''' (KCC)<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/in/farmersforfreedom/fccdefault.html Kisan Coordination Committee]</ref> - 'kisan' means 'farmer' - is one of a cluster of 'farmer unions' in India that, in close coordination with the biotech industry and a network of pro-corporate lobbyists, have worked to promote GM crops. Others include Shetkari Sanghatna (SS)<ref>[http://www.shetkari.org Shetkari Sanghatna]</ref> , [[Farmers for Freedom]] (FFF) and the [[Federation of Farmers Association]] (FFA).
+The '''Kisan Coordination Committee''' (KCC)<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/in/farmersforfreedom/fccdefault.html Kisan Coordination Committee]</ref> - 'kisan' means 'farmer' - is one of a cluster of 'farmer unions' in India that, in close coordination with the biotech industry and a network of pro-corporate lobbyists, have worked to promote GM crops. Others include Shetkari Sanghatna (SS)<ref>[http://www.shetkari.org Shetkari Sanghatna]</ref> , [[Farmers for Freedom]] (FFF) and the [[Federation of Farmers Associations]] (FFA).
-In 1999 a KCC delegation lobbied for GM crops in 5 European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland), at the invitation of EuropaBio and in coordination with biotech giant Novartis and PR firm Burson Marsteller. A spokesperson for KCC was quoted condemning Christian Aid's critical report on GM crops as, 'anti-technology propaganda' and  'pseudo-scientific rhetoric from NGO activists who think that they know what is good for Indian farmers'.<ref>[http://www.europabio.org/upload/articles/article_31_EN.pdf Spokesperson for KCC]</ref>
+In 1999 a KCC delegation lobbied for GM crops in 5 European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland), at the invitation of [[EuropaBio]] and in coordination with biotech giant [[Novartis]] and PR firm [[Burson Marsteller]]. A spokesperson for KCC was quoted condemning Christian Aid's critical report on GM crops as, 'anti-technology propaganda' and  'pseudo-scientific rhetoric from NGO activists who think that they know what is good for Indian farmers'.<ref>[http://www.europabio.org/upload/articles/article_31_EN.pdf Spokesperson for KCC]</ref>
-In March 2002 representatives of KCC and Shetkari Sanghatna appeared at a press briefing in New Delhi, arranged by the far right Liberty Institute, to lobby for GM Cotton under the slogan, 'Let no more lives end - dismal & dreary. Give us the freedom to earn more by growing more!'<ref>Liberty Institute [http://www.libertyindia.org/events/bt_cotton_march2002invite.htm press briefing]</ref> They warned that if India's regulatory body (the GEAC) failed to approve the commercialisation of Monsanto's GM (Bt) cotton 'farmers all over the country, under the banner of Kisan Coordination Committee (KCC), will launch a civil disobedience movement and begin sowing of Bt Cotton seeds.'
+In March 2002 representatives of KCC and Shetkari Sanghatna appeared at a press briefing in New Delhi, arranged by the far right Liberty Institute, to lobby for GM cotton under the slogan, 'Let no more lives end - dismal & dreary. Give us the freedom to earn more by growing more!'<ref>Liberty Institute [http://www.libertyindia.org/events/bt_cotton_march2002invite.htm press briefing]</ref> They warned that if India's regulatory body (the GEAC) failed to approve the commercialisation of Monsanto's GM (Bt) cotton 'farmers all over the country, under the banner of Kisan Coordination Committee (KCC), will launch a civil disobedience movement and begin sowing of Bt Cotton seeds.'
 A year earlier they, along with [[Chengal Reddy]] of the [[Federation of Farmers Associations]], attended a 'public dialogue' on GM cotton approval held by the GEAC, at which they sat with Monsanto's MD.
-In September 2002 KCC urged leaders at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, South Africa, to 'respect their freedom' to grow GM crops. Representatives of KCC and the [[Federation of Farmers Association]] also joined a pro-biotech march there organised by the far right Sustainable Development Network, and at which [[TJ Buthelezi]] and representatives [[AfricaBio]] were present.
+In September 2002 KCC urged leaders at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, South Africa, to 'respect their freedom' to grow GM crops. Representatives of KCC and the [[Federation of Farmers Associations]] also joined a pro-biotech march there organised by the far right [[Sustainable Development Network]], and at which [[TJ Buthelezi]] and representatives [[AfricaBio]] were present.
 The founder of KCC and [[Shetkari Sanghatana]], [[Sharad Joshi]], is also the leader of a grouping called [[Farmers for Freedom]]. Joshi describes himself as a  'Peasant Leader'. His organisations are presented as representing the typical Indian peasant farmer.

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:14, 12 March 2009
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−	~~{{Template:NuclearSpin}}~~
	The Kisan Coordination Committee (KCC)<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/in/farmersforfreedom/fccdefault.html Kisan Coordination Committee]</ref> - 'kisan' means 'farmer' - is one of a cluster of 'farmer unions' in India that, in close coordination with the biotech industry and a network of pro-corporate lobbyists, have worked to promote GM crops. Others include Shetkari Sanghatna (SS)<ref>[http://www.shetkari.org Shetkari Sanghatna]</ref> , [[Farmers for Freedom]] (FFF) and the [[Federation of Farmers Association]] (FFA).		The Kisan Coordination Committee (KCC)<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/in/farmersforfreedom/fccdefault.html Kisan Coordination Committee]</ref> - 'kisan' means 'farmer' - is one of a cluster of 'farmer unions' in India that, in close coordination with the biotech industry and a network of pro-corporate lobbyists, have worked to promote GM crops. Others include Shetkari Sanghatna (SS)<ref>[http://www.shetkari.org Shetkari Sanghatna]</ref> , [[Farmers for Freedom]] (FFF) and the [[Federation of Farmers Association]] (FFA).

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-The [http://www.angelfire.com/in/farmersforfreedom/fccdefault.html Kisan Coordination Committee] (KCC) - 'kisan' means 'farmer' - is one of a cluster of 'farmer unions' in India that, in close coordination with the biotech industry and a network of pro-corporate lobbyists, have worked to promote GM crops. Others include [http://www.shetkari.org Shetkari Sanghatna] (SS), [[Farmers for Freedom]] (FFF) and the [[Federation of Farmers Association]] (FFA).
+{{Template:NuclearSpin}}
-In 1999 a KCC delegation lobbied for GM crops in 5 European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland), at the invitation of EuropaBio and in coordination with biotech giant Novartis and PR firm Burson Marsteller. A [http://www.europabio.org/upload/articles/article_31_EN.pdf spokesperson] for KCC was quoted condemning Christian Aid's critical report on GM crops as, 'anti-technology propaganda' and  'pseudo-scientific rhetoric from NGO activists who think that they know what is good for Indian farmers'.
+In 1999 a KCC delegation lobbied for GM crops in 5 European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland), at the invitation of EuropaBio and in coordination with biotech giant Novartis and PR firm Burson Marsteller. A spokesperson for KCC was quoted condemning Christian Aid's critical report on GM crops as, 'anti-technology propaganda' and  'pseudo-scientific rhetoric from NGO activists who think that they know what is good for Indian farmers'.<ref>[http://www.europabio.org/upload/articles/article_31_EN.pdf Spokesperson for KCC]</ref>
-In March 2002 representatives of KCC and Shetkari Sanghatna appeared at a [http://www.libertyindia.org/events/bt_cotton_march2002invite.htm press briefing] in New Delhi, arranged by the far right Liberty Institute, to lobby for GM Cotton under the slogan, 'Let no more lives end - dismal & dreary. Give us the freedom to earn more by growing more!' They warned that if India's regulatory body (the GEAC) failed to approve the commercialisation of Monsanto's GM (Bt) cotton 'farmers all over the country, under the banner of Kisan Coordination Committee (KCC), will launch a civil disobedience movement and begin sowing of Bt Cotton seeds.'
+In March 2002 representatives of KCC and Shetkari Sanghatna appeared at a press briefing in New Delhi, arranged by the far right Liberty Institute, to lobby for GM Cotton under the slogan, 'Let no more lives end - dismal & dreary. Give us the freedom to earn more by growing more!'<ref>Liberty Institute [http://www.libertyindia.org/events/bt_cotton_march2002invite.htm press briefing]</ref> They warned that if India's regulatory body (the GEAC) failed to approve the commercialisation of Monsanto's GM (Bt) cotton 'farmers all over the country, under the banner of Kisan Coordination Committee (KCC), will launch a civil disobedience movement and begin sowing of Bt Cotton seeds.'
 A year earlier they, along with Chengal Reddy of Federation of Farmers Association, attended a 'public dialogue' on GM cotton approval held by the GEAC, at which they sat with Monsanto's MD.
@@ Line 11: / Line 12: @@
 The founder of KCC and [[Shetkari Sanghatana]], [[Sharad Joshi]], is also the leader of a grouping called [[Farmers for Freedom]]. Joshi describes himself as a  'Peasant Leader'. His organisations are presented as representing the typical Indian peasant farmer.
-A [http://www.europabio.org/PRGeneral.htm press release]  from [[EuropaBio]], for instance, describes [[Shetkari Sanghatna]] as 'the mainstream farmers' movement in India.' According to the press release, 'The umbrella organisation of farmers&#39; unions, led by [[Shetkari Sanghatna]] and representing several million farmers from 14 Indian states, is the KCC or Kisan Coordination Committee.'
+A press release from [[EuropaBio]], for instance, describes [[Shetkari Sanghatna]] as 'the mainstream farmers' movement in India.'<ref>EuropaBio[http://www.europabio.org/PRGeneral.htm press release.] </ref> According to the press release, 'The umbrella organisation of farmers'39; unions, led by [[Shetkari Sanghatna]] and representing several million farmers from 14 Indian states, is the KCC or Kisan Coordination Committee.'
-But in reality Kisan Coordination Committee comprises the remnants of farmer unions which have lost control over their constituencies . The membership of Shetkari Sanghatna, as  [http://www.xs4all.nl/~ceo/observer5/biotech.html Kavaljit Singh]  of the New Delhi-based Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) explains, has dropped from around 80,000 in the 1980s to an estimated 5,000 by the late 90s. This is a miniscule number for a country of almost 1 billion in which agriculture provides the most common source of employment. New Delhi-based Food and Trade Policy analyst, Devinder Sharma, told us in 2002, 'Sharad Joshi is now almost alone in his Shetkari Sanghtana, with the dominant group breaking away and opposing the WTO and GM foods.'
+But in reality Kisan Coordination Committee comprises the remnants of farmer unions which have lost control over their constituencies . The membership of Shetkari Sanghatna, as  Kavaljit Singh of the New Delhi-based Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) explains, has dropped from around 80,000 in the 1980s to an estimated 5,000 by the late 90s.<ref>Kavaljit Singh [http://www.xs4all.nl/~ceo/observer5/biotech.html statement]</ref> This is a miniscule number for a country of almost 1 billion in which agriculture provides the most common source of employment. New Delhi-based Food and Trade Policy analyst, Devinder Sharma, told us in 2002, 'Sharad Joshi is now almost alone in his Shetkari Sanghtana, with the dominant group breaking away and opposing the WTO and GM foods.'
 Not only is [[Shetkari Sanghatna]] numerically unrepresentative but  far from being an 'All-India' movement, as [[EuropaBio]] suggests, it is largely confined to the state of Maharashtra. And like the [[Federation of Farmers Association]] in Andhra Pradesh, it now typically represents large local landowners growing cash crops, rather than India's numerous subsistence farmers.
@@ Line 21: / Line 22: @@
 All the groups with which Joshi is connected claim to be 'non-political' but, in fact, have an ultra-libertarian stance. They  emphasise not just freedom of access to markets, but freedom from state regulation and from any state economic intervention.  In recent years, the freedom to use GM crops without any restriction has been added to the list.
-[[EuropaBio]] also claims KCC is 'non-political' but Sharad Joshi is the founder of a political party, the Swatantra Bharat Party, which promotes the same ideology of 'minimal government' and places its manifesto on the Shetkari Sanghatna [http://www.shetkari.org website]. According to [http://www.corporateeurope.org/backlist.html Corporate Observatory Europe], the 'marginal position of these groups and their ideology was revealed when Joshi ran for the Indian parliament in the mid-90s and received only a few hundred votes.'
+[[EuropaBio]] also claims KCC is 'non-political' but Sharad Joshi is the founder of a political party, the Swatantra Bharat Party, which promotes the same ideology of 'minimal government' and places its manifesto on the Shetkari Sanghatna website <ref>Shetkari Sanghatna [http://www.shetkari.org website].</ref> According to Corporate Observatory Europe, <ref>Corporate Observatory Europe [http://www.corporateeurope.org/backlist.html website]</ref> the 'marginal position of these groups and their ideology was revealed when Joshi ran for the Indian parliament in the mid-90s and received only a few hundred votes.'
 ==Notes==
 <references/>
 [[Category:GM]][[Category:Third World Lobbyists (GM)]][[Category:GM]][[Category:GM Farm Lobby]]