Today's marches are part of a global grassroots movement against big agribusiness practices.
Keystone
More than 2,000 people have marched peacefully in the Swiss city of Basel to protest the practices of agrichemical companies such as Monsanto and Syngenta.
This content was published on
2 minutes
SDA-ATS/jc
As part of the international “March against Monsanto” movement, they denounced the power of big agribusiness groups and called for them to be more environmentally and socially responsible. Protestors denounced toxic pesticides, genetic engineering, seed patenting and a profit-oriented approach to food production.
Another “March against Monsanto” was also held on Saturday in Morges, in the French-speaking canton of Vaud where the US giant has one of its headquarters. Some 1,000 people participated in that demonstration, according to the regional newspaper 24 heures.
US multinational Monsanto’s products include a widely used weed-killer which has recently been at the centre of Europe-wide controversy.
Demonstrators in Basel also called for funding for an agro-environmental institute at the city’s university and an end to sponsoring and partnerships between the canton and agribusiness group Syngenta. An open letter to the Basel cantonal government expressing these demands was made public at the end of the march.
The Swiss group Syngenta, now in Chinese hands, is one of the world’s biggest producers of pesticides, and is headquartered in Basel.
This is the fourth such demonstration in Basel against big agribusiness. This year it was supported by some 60 organisations and political parties.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
The citizenship obstacle course facing spouses of Swiss Abroad
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
Top Swiss court rejects Russian request for administrative tax assistance
This content was published on
There is currently no reason to transmit banking information to the Russian Federation, the Swiss Federal Court has ruled.
After strike by radiologists, doctors demonstrate in Bern
This content was published on
Following a strike by radiology technicians in Fribourg, doctors, vets, dentists and chiropractors expressed their frustration on Friday outside parliament in the Swiss capital.
Eurovision and bleak world situation are top themes at Basel carnival
This content was published on
The Eurovision Song Contest and the gloomy global situation are among the main themes of Basel Fasnacht (carnival) this year.
Prices of Swiss investment properties continue to rise despite stagnating rents
This content was published on
Although rents in Switzerland stagnated or fell in the final quarter of last year, prices for investment properties continued to rise. Both apartment buildings and office properties have become more expensive.
Probe into wrong Swiss pension figures clears federal office
This content was published on
Employees of the Swiss Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO) did not breach their duty of care when calculating pension prospects, an investigation has concluded.
This content was published on
Hotels in the southern Swiss canton of Ticino welcomed significantly more guests last December than in the same month of the previous year.
Swiss collect over 9,000 tonnes of plastic for recycling in 2024
This content was published on
In 2024, consumers recycled 9,090 tonnes of plastic. More than 600 municipalities in 17 cantons participate in the "Bring Plastic Back" system.
Swiss nomadic people were victims of crimes against humanity, says government
This content was published on
The persecution of Sinti and Yenish in Switzerland in the 20th century is a crime against humanity according to current international law.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
US farmers sue Syngenta over GM corn
This content was published on
Syngenta’s MIR162 corn, known as Agrisure Viptera, contains a protein that kills off damaging insects such as corn earworm, army worm and corn borer. In November 2013, inspectors in China found traces of the protein in imported corn. Since then the import levels of US corn into China have fallen by 85% and the country…
ChemChina thrives at home on strategy of ‘going out’
This content was published on
ChemChina was one of the state-owned Chinese firms that was encouraged to “go out” of the country. The FT calls it a Trojan horse strategy.
Swiss bee expert laments exaggerated focus on insecticides
This content was published on
Bees and other pollinators are vital to three-quarters of the world’s food crops but have been in serious decline in recent decades.
Anti-pesticide farm initiative passes the signature stage
This content was published on
Campaigners have handed in signatures backing an initiative which would cut direct subsidies to farmers who use pesticides or antibiotics.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.