Date: Wednesday September 4 Time: 8.30-9.30amLocation: Place du Luxembourg, Brussels
As Members of the European Parliament return to work in Brussels next week, leading campaign organisations are highlighting critical food-related issues with two stunts outside the European Parliament. The upcoming decisions taken by the European Union on biofuels and food speculation will have consequences for millions of people around the world.
8.30-9.00am
STOP BANKERS BETTING ON HUNGER – HAZARD-WARNING TAPE PROTEST
By: FairFin, Friends of the Earth Europe, Oxfam, SOS Faim, World Development Movement
Actors dressed as bankers will be restrained with hazard warning tape in a stunt calling on EU negotiators to strengthen rules intended to curb financial speculation on food.
The protest comes on the opening day of negotiations on proposed EU financial reforms known as MiFID (the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive) which could prevent banks and financial investors driving up food prices through financial speculation.
A petition against food speculation signed by over 30,000 citizens from across Europe will be handed-over to the lead MEP for the legislation, Markus Ferber of Germany.
Interviews will be available with spokespeople in English, French, Dutch and German.
For more information about this event please contact: Martina Schwab, Fairfin, +32 (0)4 88 3 88 3 41, martina.schwab@fairfin.be
A briefing about the MiFID and the loopholes that exist in the negotiating texts is available.
9.00-9.30am
FILLING A CAR WITH FOOD TO WARN ABOUT HARM OF BIOFUELS
By: ActionAid, Friends of the Earth Europe, Greenpeace, Oxfam
How many people – dressed in giant corn on the cob costumes! – can fit inside a small car? This colourful challenge will be attempted by dozens of campaigners to illustrate the madness of the current situation that sees food being used to fill cars as biofuels rather than being used to feed people. Every year, Europe burns enough food as biofuel in our cars to feed millions of people.
Flanked by large banners demanding ‘No food for fuel’ the action takes place against the backdrop of the European Parliament one week ahead of a decisive vote (September 11) by MEPs on reform of the EU’s controversial biofuels policy. Biofuels are fuelling hunger, land grabs and climate change. MEPs are being asked to vote to fix a failed policy and end the use of food for fuel.
Interviews will be available with spokespeople in English, French, Dutch and German, and a speaker from Sierra Leone on how biofuels policies are causing land grabs in his country.
For more information about this event please contact: Laura Sullivan, ActionAid, (+32) (0)485 781255, Laura.Sullivan@actionaid.org
