Tierramerica

Ecobreves – GLOBAL: Transgenic Soy Depresses Prices

International soy prices fell 67 percent since the biotech giant Monsanto began commercial production of genetically modified seeds seven years ago, says Peter Rosset, co-director of the U.S.-based Food First and participant in the World Social Forum here last week.

Ecobreves – CUBA: More Organic Coffee

Cuba hopes to achieve annual organic coffee yields of 800 tons within a few years in the eastern region of Guantánamo, the product of agro-chemical-free growing techniques and in high demand in Europe.

Ecobreves – VENEZUELA: Strike Heightens Threat of Oil Spills

An environmental organization is blaming the strike leaders of the state-run Petróleos de Venezuela for the oil spills occurred since Dec 2, when the massive work stoppage began in protest against President Hugo Chávez

Ecobreves – EL SALVADOR: Water Festival

The public will join activists, authorities and business leaders in celebrating at the Festival of Water, Mar 17-23, in El Salvador, where they will also have the chance to express their concerns about this vital resource.

There are some 500 banana varieties in the world, but the most exported is the Cavendish. - Mauricio Ramos.

Transgenics will not save the banana”

In the wake of the storm caused by an article in New Scientist magazine, which predicts the disappearance within 10 years of a leading variety of the banana, the international organization tracking this fruit clarifies its stance in an exclusive dialogue with Tierramérica.

Ecobreves – VENEZUELA: Food for Garbage

- The "Garbage is not garbage" campaign for the collection and recycling of waste in exchange for food vouchers reaches the one-year mark this month, a success in this northwestern Venezuelan city.

The border river Usumacinta. - Mauricio Ramos

Specter of Usumacinta Dam Lingers

The hydroelectric dam mega-project on the river dividing Mexico and Guatemala is keeping environmental groups on edge, despite reassurances from authorities that it has been canceled.

Ecobreves – GUATEMALA: Business under Control

The Guatemalan Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources will enact a regulation requiring environmental impact studies prior to construction of factories or other productive installations.

 - Cenini/FAO

Bananas and Plantains

Bananas and plantains are fruits thousands of years old that have become an important food for humans. The banana trade is a dynamic market and has led to scientific delving into its genetics and its possibilities for ecological production.

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Forests and Deforestation

Forests cover 3.87 billion hectares of the earth’s surface, according to the latest report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on the State of the World’s Forests

Ecobreves – AMERICAS: Conference to Discuss Environmental Impact of Trade

Experts from a number of countries of the Americas will meet in Mexico Mar. 25-26 to discuss the impact of trade on the environment and on the quality of life of indigenous communities.

Ecobreves – COLOMBIA: Complete Database on Native Bird Species

A government initiative in Colombia that has the support of international institutions aims to set up a complete database of Colombian bird species that are held in ornithological collections around the world, in order to contribute to environmental controls and conservation programmes.

Ecobreves – ARGENTINA:: Native Forests Shrinking

Argentina has 33 million hectares of native forests, just one-third of the total registered less than a century ago, according to a study by the Secretariat of the Environment and Sustainable Development

Ecobreves – PERU: Authorities May Shut down US Factories

Municipal authorities in Lima are studying the possible closure and transfer of two U.S. companies located in the Villa Swamps, a protected area on the south side of the capital, after deciding this month to close down a Chilean pasta plant, Lucchetti.

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Unprotected Nature Reserves

Mesoamerica has a total of 597 nature reserves, with stunning tropical landscapes. But is that enough to protect the subregion’s biodiversity in the long-term?

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Environmentalists Complain that Coca Cola is Hogging Water

The El Salvador subsidiary of Coca Cola is accused of hogging scarce water resources in a region where the rivers that have not dried up or totally disappeared under urban areas are polluted. But the soft drink company maintains that it lives up to international environmental standards.

Ecobreves – HONDURAS:: Environmentalists Oppose Aquaculture Law

Environmental groups in Honduras are protesting a project being debated in Congress to regulate the fishing industry. The activists say it would give transnational companies greater freedom to exploit the country's waters.

Ecobreves – GUATEMALA: Training Farmers

Some 18,500 Guatemalan farmers received training this year in 716 workshops conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, ministry spokesman Nery Calvillo told Tierramérica.

Ecobreves – ARGENTINA: Legislation Against Over-Fishing

Argentine ecologists applauded the passage this month of a sustainable fisheries law for the northeastern province of Santa Fe, which holds the country's greatest freshwater fish stocks.

Ecobreves – PERU:: Protecting Medicinal Herbs

The Peruvian government will defend biological diversity, genetic resources and indigenous knowledge of natural medicines through a Register of Native Crops and Plants -- and diplomatic and legal actions abroad.

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Measuring the Environment with the Same Yardstick

Environment ministers from Latin America and the Caribbean for the first time agree to standardize their "green" indicators. Concrete information is expected to be available in 2004 for regional management of resources.

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