Agriculture: Latin American and Caribbean female farmers demand end to neoliberal policies.

Female farmers from 19 Latin American and Caribbean countries have renewed their commitment to seek development of the sector and demand an end to neoliberal policies.

Delegates to the 3rd Continental Assembly of Country Women convened by the Latin American Coordinator of Country Organizations (CLOC) said that neoliberalism affected their culture, economy and daily work. The participants also demanded the right of women farmers and indigenous in the world to a decent life.Other issues included:

* Rejection of "the authoritarian rule of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Inter American Development Bank."

* Promise to protest "constantly against economic domination instruments, including the free trade agreements of Central America and the Dominican Republic with the US (CAFTA) and another expected with the European Union".

* A claim that export-oriented model in farming, implemented by multinationals, "has seized production in rural areas and turned women into overexploited workers, depriving them of access to health and social security".

* Demanding a comprehensive farm policy with gender equality without violence that protects cultural practices, natural resources and the life of all generations.