Gaza farmers have lost 187 hectares of crops to aerial spraying of herbicides by Israel hundreds of meters within the territory's borders. The action, carried out in the name of 'security', further undermines Gaza's ability to feed itself and may permanently deprive farmers of their livelihoods. It may also represent a war crime under the 1977 Protocol to the Geneva Conventions.
… by Israel hundreds of meters within the territory's borders. The action, carried out in the name of 'security', further undermines …
A radical new Seed Law drafted by Venezuelan people, farmers and NGOs was signed into law in the closing days of 2015, write William Camacaro, Frederick B. Mills & Christina M. Schiavoni. Striking back against the corporate takeover of seeds and peddling of GMOs, the Seed Law bans transgenic seeds, protects the country's germplasm, and establishes the legal foundation for a participatory, agroecological food and farming system.
… farmers and NGOs was signed into law in the closing days of 2015, write William … Christina M. Schiavoni. Striking back against the corporate takeover of seeds and peddling of GMOs, the Seed Law bans transgenic seeds, protects …
The British establishment does nothing quite so well as lies, cover-ups and high-level corruption, writes Georgina Downs - whether it's the Hillsborough disaster or permitting polluters to poison us. Georgina won her own High Court legal victory protecting rural residents from pesticide exposure as long ago as 2008 - only to have it snatched away as Court of Appeal judges closed ranks.
… Health Farming Corporations spraying-cut.jpg The British establishment does nothing quite … corruption, writes Georgina Downs - whether it's the Hillsborough disaster or permitting …
The anti-fracking movement scored a great victory when Lancashire councillors refused planning permission for two fracking wells, writes Damien Short. But dig deeper and the triumph was all the greater, as it overcame not just Cuadrilla, but a morass of pro-fracking bias and legal and scientific misrepresentation from those meant to be providing impartial advice.
… Human Rights Law Science camp-frack-cut.jpg The anti-fracking movement scored a great … writes Damien Short. But dig deeper and the triumph was all the greater, as it overcame not just …
After an apparent cave-in to Europe's pesticide industry, the European Food Safety Authority's latest guidance on pesticides conflicts with European law, writes Georgina Downs - by ignoring the real-life agrochemical exposure of rural residents. Commission President Juncker must step in and demand the withdrawal of this disgraceful document.
… cave-in to Europe's pesticide industry, the European Food Safety Authority's latest … law, writes Georgina Downs - by ignoring the real-life agrochemical exposure of rural … President Juncker must step in and demand the withdrawal of this disgraceful document. …
A new species of eco-lawyer is emerging from the legal undergrowth. James Thornton advocates a wig-and-gown approach so campaigners can strengthen their case against unethical corporations
… Can lawyers save the world? James Thornton | 12th June 2007 … A new species of eco-lawyer is emerging from the legal undergrowth. James Thornton … approach so campaigners can strengthen their case against unethical corporations …
The apparent conspiracy by the UK government and its agencies to conceal the real cause of death of 7-year old Zane Gbangbola may go right up to Prime Minister David Cameron, writes Paul Mobbs. He was chair of the COBRA emergency committee at the time when it appears to have held back the truth that he was killed by cyanide from the toxic landfill site his home was built over.
… Politics Law UK selly-oak-landfill-cut.jpg The apparent conspiracy by the UK government and its agencies to conceal the real cause of death of 7-year old Zane …
The Government is struggling to spin its policy to fast track fracking, writes Paul Mobbs. So as it cuts the public out of the regulatory process, exempts exploratory wells from controls, and forces the Environment Agency to issue permits with 1-2 weeks, its spin machine has resorted to outright lies and misinformation to conceal the scale of the attack on our environmental rights.
… Law Regulation fracking-its-happening-cut.jpg The Government is struggling to spin its … fracking, writes Paul Mobbs. So as it cuts the public out of the regulatory process, exempts exploratory …
This summer families of atom bomb test veterans who have died of cancer took the UK government to the High Court for its failure to compensate them, writes Chris Busby. Also on trial was the 'official' radiation risk model, which understates the true health hazards of internal exposures by a factor of 1,000. But 17 weeks after the case, litigants and veterans are still awaiting judgment.
… bomb test veterans' long wait for justice: the last battle Chris Busby | 11th November … test veterans who have died of cancer took the UK government to the High Court for its failure to compensate …
A letter from Energy Secretary Amber Rudd leaked to The Ecologist shows that she misled Parliament by promising the UK was 'on course' to deliver on its renewable energy targets - when in fact there is a delivery shortfall in 2020 of almost 25%. Her plan to fill the gap relies on more biofuels, buying in green power and 'credits' from abroad - everything but wind and solar.
… from Energy Secretary Amber Rudd leaked to The Ecologist shows that she misled Parliament by promising the UK was 'on course' to deliver on its renewable energy targets - when in fact there is a delivery shortfall in 2020 of …
The official 'fitness test' on the EU's nature directives carried out for the EU Commission under its 'better regulation' initiative finds that the laws are 'fit for purpose' in every respect, writes Oliver Tickell. But there's a mystery: the report was completed in January, yet it remains unpublished. Did it reach the 'wrong' conclusion for a Commission intent on a bonfire of red tape?
… EU Law Conservation Regulation kemeri-cut.jpg The official 'fitness test' on the EU's nature directives carried out for the EU Commission under its 'better …
Britain's nuclear bomb test veterans suffered severe genetic damage from radiation, writes Chris Busby, and their case for compensation is being heard in the High Court today. Key to their case is evidence of similar damage inflicted on in utero babies exposed to radiation from the Chernobyl disaster, and how the dreadful health impacts of radiation cascade down to future generations.
… Chernobyl, genetic damage, and the UK nuclear bomb tests - justice at last? … from radiation, writes Chris Busby, and their case for compensation is being heard in the High Court today. Key to their case is …
The nuclear industry and its media cheerleaders have raised a chorus of misinformation over Fukushima, writes Karl Grossman. But their attempts to suppress the truth are ultimately doomed to failure.
… Radiation Law Politics fuku-graffitti.png The nuclear industry and its media … over Fukushima, writes Karl Grossman. But their attempts to suppress the truth are ultimately doomed to failure. …
The official investigation into the downing of MH17 is without precedent in the history of aviation, writes James O'Neill, as it gives one of the prime suspects, Ukraine, a veto power over publication of the report. Grieving families of the victims may never know know the truth, as geopolitics triumphs over justice.
… Law Human Rights War Ukraine Australia Netherlands Russia mh17-schiphol-cut.jpg The official investigation into the downing of MH17 is without precedent in …
After 20 years of oil spills, deforestation, waste dumping and ill health, farmers and indigenous people in the the Ecuadorian Amazon have been fighting the Chevron-Texaco corporation. But despite its three times conviction and a $9.5 billion damages award to the victims, the oil giant looks no closer to making good its damage.
… Ecocide in the Amazon - Chevron evades $9.5bn restitution … ill health, farmers and indigenous people in thethe Ecuadorian Amazon have been fighting the …
As falling milk prices push dairy farm out of business, new mega-dairies and feedlot operations of 700 or more cows are filling the void, writes Andrew Wasley. Never mind the pollution, slurry lagoons, and heavy plant on country lanes - do we want the cows that produce our milk confined to sheds? And what's the future for traditional dairy farmers with small, well cared for herds?
… The march of the industrial mega-dairy - is this the future of milk? Andrew Wasley | 23rd … operations of 700 or more cows are filling the void, writes Andrew Wasley. Never mind the …
New regulations on animal slaughter are in force across Russia, writes Georgy Borodyansky, with devastating effects on small farmers and consumers, who face a three-fold hike in the price of meat. Will the 'health and safety' madness destroy Russia's main producers of wholesome food?
… Russia's small farmers are the latest 'health and safety' victims Georgy … a paddock on a small farm in Russia. But will the new regulations force small farmers and their animals out of business? Photo: Vmenkov …
Financed by the World Bank, the Kenya Forest Service has intensified its illegal campaign of evictions, arson, beatings and arrests of the Sengwer forest people of the Embobut forest, Dean Puckett reports from the Cherangani Hills. And behind the violence lies the lure of hard cash - from the prospect of selling the forest's carbon to international financiers.
… evicted, beaten, imprisoned - paid for by the World Bank Dean Puckett REDD Monitor | 7th … Change Finance embobut1-cut.jpg Financed by the World Bank, the Kenya Forest Service has intensified its …
The tiny Pacific state of the Marshall Islands has given oral evidence to the International Court of Justice against all nuclear armed states for failing to pursue disarmament. The UK, India and Pakistan were present to deny the charges, but the US, Russia, France, China, Israel and North Korea have denied the ICJ's compulsory jurisdiction.
… Pacific UK India Pakistan bikini-cut.jpg The tiny Pacific state of the Marshall Islands has given oral evidence to the International Court of Justice against all …
Disastrous water pollution from gold mines in El Salvador has united government and people to oppose new metal mines, writes Lynn Holland. In Central America's most water scarce country, the imperative is to keep lakes, rivers and streams clean and wholesome. But there may be a heavy price to pay, with a Canadian mining company pressing a $300 million 'compensation' claim.
… For the love of water: El Salvador's mining ban … Central America's most water scarce country, the imperative is to keep lakes, rivers and streams clean and wholesome. But there may be a heavy price to pay, with a …
The recently announced Snoopers Charter 2.0 gives the state enormous powers to delve into our lives, writes Paul Mobbs. And all the more so when combined with other data to which the government has access - by simply buying it from commercial providers. If you don't like the idea, it's time to get your systems secure and shrink your digital data trail.
… An activists' guide to the 'Snooper's Charter' - and what to do about … Media Technology Law UK phone-joker-cut.jpg The recently announced Snoopers Charter 2.0 gives the state enormous powers to delve into our …
Post Brexit, get ready for a massive attack on our liberty, especially on the right to protest, writes Paul Mobbs. With the UK likely to secede from the European Convention on Human Rights, prepare for a new empowerment of police to act with impunity against peaceful activists. We must be ready to stand up, with honour and dignity, for our ancient British right to dissent.
… Fracking, Brexit and austerity: the coming fight for British freedom Paul … massive attack on our liberty, especially on the right to protest, writes Paul Mobbs. With the UK likely to secede from the European …
Last week the Upper Tribunal of the Royal Courts of Justice ordered Defra to release key information about the badger cull based on a 'public interest' argument, writes Lesley Docksey. Could this judgment open a new era of transparent and accountable government?
… World Badgers redaction-cut.jpg Last week the Upper Tribunal of the Royal Courts of Justice ordered Defra to release key information about the badger cull based on a 'public interest' …
The Government of Honduras is intent on framing the only witness to the murder of Berta Cáceres as the one guilty of the crime, writes Beverly Bell. Gustavo Castro Soto, an eco-defender from Mexico, is now in effective detention in his country's embassy in Tegucigalpa in fear of his life, having himself been injured in the attack and seen the real assassin. The US Government must break its resounding silence.
… Gustavo Castro Soto and the rigged investigation into Berta Cáceres’s … Peoples Law rb_crowd_at_roadblock-cut.jpg The Government of Honduras is intent on framing the only witness to the murder of Berta …