Pressure Systems edition
Wildfires and Droughts Hammer Global Farm Labor and Food Chains
August 25, 2026
What this edition shows
Escalating wildfires across British Columbia and Southern Europe collide with severe droughts in the UK and agricultural labor abuses in Canada, pushing smallholder food networks and migrant workers to the breaking point. Meanwhile, social movements from Argentina to Paraguay fight corporate land grabbing, foreign sales, and the criminalization of peasant leadership.
Reporting and analysis behind this edition 15 sources
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Europe: Farmers call for more agroecology in the face of heatwaves, wildfires and droughts
As farmers face escalating wildfires in rural areas across France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece, European Coordination Via Campesina is warning of the serious consequences this climate emergency is having for farmers and their communities and calls for emergency aid. The post Europe: Farmers ca…
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Australia: The Agroecology & Food Sovereignty Alliance (AFSA) Calls for Appropriate Regulation in Tasmania’s New Horticulture Standards
AFSA remains firm that regulations must be truly scale-appropriate to ensure the survival of small-scale, agroecological and regenerative farming businesses. The post Australia: The Agroecology & Food Sovereignty Alliance (AFSA) Calls for Appropriate Regulation in Tasmania’s New Horticulture Standar…
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A victory against foreign land grabbing in Argentina emboldens long-standing land struggles across Latin America
Social movements in Argentina have blocked a law that would have expanded the sale of farmland to foreigners, amidst a wave of land disputes sweeping the continent-- from Argentina to Honduras.
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Amid political and economic pressure, Brazil sees a rise in land conflicts and the murders of Indigenous people
Growing cases of violence against Indigenous people are linked to an impasse on the framework of rights and pressure against land demarcation, says the organization that advocates for Indigenous rights
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When the climate crisis reaches the supermarket shelf
Rising heat and failing harvests reveal a fragile food system. It is time to treat food security as a democratic issue
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How is drought hitting UK farming?
After months of heatwaves and unusually dry weather, officials say as much as two-thirds of England is in drought.
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Workshop “Who rules the roost?”: Statement from participants
In a joint statement, the representatives of the workshop "Who rules the roost? Corporate vs Community Poultry in Africa" denounce the promotion of hybrid chicken breeds by governments, businesses, development agencies and financial investors as a solution to increase poultry productivity in Africa.…
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Paraguay : FNC condemns the killing of a peasant leader and denounces the increasing criminalization of Indigenous and peasant communities.
In Paraguay, the National Peasants’ Federation (FNC), condemns the murder of the Indigenous leader and teacher . It also expresses its deep concern regarding the situation facing indigenous and peasant communities across the country, due to the increasing criminalisation and persecution of indigenou…
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Building Peasant Internationalism: La Via Campesina in Cotonou
From 4 to 8 August 2026, La Via Campesina was present in Cotonou, Benin, responding to the mobilisation of its members and allies in Africa and joining the activities surrounding the arrival of the West African Caravan. The post Building Peasant Internationalism: La Via Campesina in Cotonou appeared…
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France: Confédération Paysanne Puts Forth 22 Demands to Address the Climate Crises
The strength of our agriculture lies in its diversity, complementarity and solidarity, as we demonstrated during health crises or the most intense periods of fires. The post France: Confédération Paysanne Puts Forth 22 Demands to Address the Climate Crises appeared first on La Via Campesina - EN.
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Canada Is Exploiting Migrant Agricultural Workers
Caribbean laborers report rat-infested rooms and abusive bosses.
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'We will lose a lot of our annual crops': BC farmers brace for losses due to wildfires
Ella Braden, the owner of Braden Hill Orchard & Farm, says she was on vacation when wildfires roared through Summerland, BC.
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Migrant workers left with uncertain future amid BC wildfire evacuations
British Columbia's orchards, farms and ranches depend on migrant workers, some of whom have been left with an uncertain future because of wildfires, and advocates say more needs to be done at both the provincial and federal level to support them.
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Indonesia – international webinar: SPI reaffirms that agricultural cooperatives are the cornerstone of land reform and food sovereignty
On Tuesday 28 July 2026, to mark the 28th anniversary of the SPI and the 79th National Co-operatives Day, the Indonesian Farmers’ Union (SPI) organised an international webinar entitled ‘Strengthening agricultural cooperatives for land reform, food sovereignty, agroecology and social justice’. This…
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How healthier farm animals can cut greenhouse gas emissions
Preventing disease and miscarriage in cattle can help reduce methane emissions. Pravine/Shutterstock When a dairy cow miscarries, a farmer loses far more than an unborn calf. Feed has been grown, land and water used, and greenhouse gas released during the cow’s pregnancy but milk production, a futur…