MOVIAC, a movement that gathers agricultural and indigenous people and social organizations in defense of the environment, among other actors, invited people to participate in this march to mark World Food Day on October 16. The demonstrators gathered at Avenida Revolución and marched to the offices of the National Private Business Association (ANEP) and also the Legislative Assembly. During the demonstration they expressed their concern over the use of agrotoxics, which is seriously affecting the health of the local population, the quality of water, soil fertility, biodiversity, the local economy and food security.

The demonstrators submitted a letter to the Legislative Assembly (national parliament) where they demanded to resume the discussion over the agrotoxic ban in the country and to pass a food sovereignty law. The demonstrators demand the Assembly to annul the veto by former President Mauricio Funes to Decree 473. That decree includes reforms to the Pesticide, Fertilizer and Agricultural Product Use Control Law and the Assembly is required to annul the presidential veto in order to be able to ban the use of 53 agrotoxics. MOVIAC also urges the Agricultural and Agroindustrial Chamber of El Salvador (CAMAGRO), which has defended the use of poisons, to stop opposing the ban.

According to Verdad Digital news outlet, MOVIAC´s Secretary General, José Santos Guevara, explained that agrochemical products have deep impacts on the health of the population. He also stated that “in the past years, thousands of people have died from kidney failure” and that “the extremely high rates of kidney failure are attributed to the use of agrochemicals”. According to MOVIAC, an investigation conducted by the Salvadoran Health Ministry showed that there is a link between affected populations and dominant agricultural practices that include the use of high amounts of agrotoxics.

Below you´ll find a video produced by Voces de la Frontera for MOVIAC.