An estimated two million people took to the streets in cities all around the world in May 2013 for a worldwide day of protest against agro-biotech giant Monsanto and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) in general.

Organic farming bans the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.

Sustainable farming avoids soil erosion and pollution.

A few years ago, the French government decided to vaccinate a million free-range ducks, chickens, geese in an attempt to stem the spread of the H5N1 virus.

Five hundred angry farmers dumped manure in front of administrative headquarters in Brussels to demonstrate against the Common Agricultural Policy.

We can’t grumble about accommodation:
we have a new concrete floor that’s
always dry, four walls that are
painted white, and a sheet-iron roof
the rain drums on. A fan blows warm air
beneath our feet to disperse the smell
of chicken shit and, on dull days,
fluorescent lightening sees us. […]

Edwin Brock © Martin Secker & Warburg Ltd, 1977.