• Freedom to grow any crop of their choice.
• Freedom to trade within and outside the country.
• Freedom to access the best available technology.
• Freedom to improve agricultural productivity.
• Freedom to sell their goods at a price that is not distorted by agricultural subsidies, tariffs or quotas.

The Farmers believe that increased agricultural productivity not only helps in alleviating rural poverty, but also contributes to reduced environmental stress, and helps in improving the quality of environmental resources.

Farmers from Asia and Africa have come together to urge leaders at the World Summit on Sustainable Development to enable them access to the world market. The Farmers want the WSSD to respect their freedom to see for themselves the economic and technological viability of all new technologies, including agricultural biotechnology.

The Farmers recognise that every technology has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and experience shows that the less savoury aspects of a specific technology are remedied by further technological advancement and not by reverting to an imaginary world set in a pristine natural environment. Closing doors on technology is a recipe for disaster. The most important thing is to remove all obstacles in the path of access and conduct comprehensive trials of all new technologies.

The Farmers, being the most important stakeholders, must have the freedom to decide for themselves the appropriate strategies for staying competitive in the world market, and regaining economic viability.

==> National African Farmers Union, South Africa
==> Ubongwa Farmers Union, South Africa
==> Kenyan National Farmers Union
==> Provincial Farmers Action Council, Philippines
==> Federation of Farmers Association, India
==> Kisan Coordination Committee, India

Contacts:
Barun Mitra 072 477 2372, Liberty Institute, New Delhi

Kendra Okonski 072 477 2371, Sustainable Development Network