PLANET IN PERIL

New charitable status will allow Experimental Lakes Area to realize full fundraising potential. WINNIPEG—The  International Institute for Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA)  is pleased to announce that it has now been granted full charitable status from the Canada Revenue Agency. This is a crucial step in allowing the world-class freshwater research facility to reach its full fundraising potential and to realize its research, educational and operational goals.

By George Monbiot Every child should visit an abattoir. If you disagree, ask yourself why. Story here. Related: "Saving the Planet, One Meal at aTime."

Manitoba Co-Operator Many forage and forage seed importers have zero tolerance for GM crops, including alfalfa. Story here.

National Farmers Union Bringing in the wheat. Larry Powell PinP photo. (Deleau, MB) - The NFU is urging the governments of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC to become actively engaged in the federal government’s plan to dispose of the farmer-paid Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) assets. Story here.

La Via Campesina El Salvador has had the highest rate of femicide in the world, with 2, 250 between 2010 and 2013. Guatemala has the third and Honduras the seventh highest rate of femicides.   In Guatemala, only 2% of murdered women's cases were investigated in 2013 and likewise in Honduras less than 2% were investigated.  For cases that somehow make it to court in Guatemala, 90% of defendants are not convicted. It is much the same in El Salvador.  In 2014 alone, between January and October, over 300  bodies of young women between the ages of 12 and 18 years old have been found in unmarked common  graves.