Land grabbing is a serious and alarming global phenomenon, involving 50 million hectares of land. Every four days, areas of land larger than the city of Rome are being sold to foreign investors. This rush to land hides tragic forms of exploitation of land, territory and local populations, which is likely to create new and insidious forms of colonialism in the Southern Hemisphere.  Most of these land acquisitions are not legitimate because they do not take into account the economic, social and cultural rights of local people, small farmers, indigenous people, women and children for whom survival depends on the fruits of this very land. In most cases, land deprivation involves simultaneous lack of access to water, which is the source of life, hygiene, irrigation. This inevitably leads to hunger, famine, conflict, disease and finally, death. No wonder entire populations are fleeing from these precarious conditions, which do not guarantee life, to look elsewhere for a better future.

FI took the opportunity to speak out about land grabbing and food sustainability at the Milan Expo in Italy last Thursday, May28th. This was during the presentation of a book entitled “Land and Food,” published by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, held at the  Coldiretti Pavillon ( Coldiretti is a Catholic Italian Union for Farmers), and included a round table that was attended by Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontificial Commission for JP and co-author of the book, Mr. Maurizio  Martina, Italian Minister for Agricultural Affairs, Mr. Roberto Moncalvo, Coldiretti national president, Mr. Stefano Masini, Responsible for the Environment at Coldiretti and moderator of the meeting.  FI was represented by Mr. Attilio Galimberti, OFS, as its spokesperson. 

FI’s intervention, prepared by Francesca Restifo, FI’s Advocacy Director and Brother Rodrigo Peret, OFM from Brazil, echoed other speakers’ recommendations to give more power to small farmers and to fight against transnational companies and their policies. FI also presented cases from the grassroots, inviting those present to consider that these problems can be solved only with the support and action of States and Gouvernements.

FI made numerous links at the event, connecting with like-minded attendees committed to fighting the injustices linked to land-grabbing and working towards a new approach to development. 

Read FI's intervention in its entirety here. (in Italian)