Hundreds walk against Monsanto and to raise awareness on multiple sclerosis

More than 300 people and 17 voluntary groups walked down the streets of Valletta as part of a global protest against the multinational agricultural technology company Monsanto. The walk, which started from City Gate, also had a of high attendance of foreigners who, together with other people, held up placards and posters calling out against the use of genetically modified organisms. John Portelli, from the Malta Organic and Agricultural Movement, said he was very pleased with the turnout. “Foreigners are more aware about consumer rights about food consumption while unfortunately many Maltese are happy just to eat pastizzi, burgers or takeaway food,” he said. Monsanto is the world’s largest producer of genetically modified crops and seeds. There was a “very bad food culture” in Malta and there was the need for a national agricultural policy that covered the way vegetables were grown and processed into the food chain. “I’m very happy that foreigners supported this initiative and that there was such a high turnout of voluntary groups,” he said. In fact, the protest walk joined forces with another walk organised by the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Malta, which incidentally also had...