Soy in Brazil: Social Effects on Small Farms & Rural Communities Soy farming in Brazil was traditionally dominated by small farms producing several crops for sustenance means and the domestic market. The expansion of the global market and trade liberalization have lead to a deterioration in small scale farming and an increase in large single crop plantations, controlled by foreign trade organizations.

Social and economic effects: Increase in monoculture, mass production farms Decrease in small farms, increase in migration to urban areas Decrease in food crops/variety for domestic market Elimination of manual labor positions due to mechanization of labor Harm caused to surrounding environment, including small farms and organic farms due to chemicals

Soybean production in Argentina started in the Pampas which is a dry flat region and soybean production has occupied 4.6 million hectares of land Soybean production in Argentina started in the Pampas which is a dry flat region and soybean production has occupied 4.6 million hectares of land Soybean production in Argentina has created an immense amount of environmental damage to Argentina one of the greatest has been to the Chaco forest which is home to thousands of plant life and animal species as well as 4 million individuals who are slowly being displaced Soybean production in Argentina has created an immense amount of environmental damage to Argentina one of the greatest has been to the Chaco forest which is home to thousands of plant life and animal species as well as 4 million individuals who are slowly being displaced The major issue has genetically modified soybean seeds and Monsanto who the Argentinian farmers depend on for seed each year (3 to 4 times more expensive) The major issue has genetically modified soybean seeds and Monsanto who the Argentinian farmers depend on for seed each year (3 to 4 times more expensive) One of the biggest problems facing is that Argentina is too focused on the financial incentive rather then the future of farming and the environmental devastation which is irreversible One of the biggest problems facing is that Argentina is too focused on the financial incentive rather then the future of farming and the environmental devastation which is irreversible

Superman or Kryptonite?

Roundup Ready soybeans hit the market in In that year, RR soybeans made up 2% of the total acreage. In 2010 that number hit 93%. 80% of worlds soybeans come from United States, Argentina, Brazil. Of these, only Brazil produces a significant number of non-GM soybeans. RR soybeans are very popular in Argentina, grown throughout the country. uses: Makes farming easier. Less herbicide needs to be sprayed, although studies argue that this is not actually true. Farmers also have to till the ground less and rotate crops less thanks to RR-soybeans. It saves them money to, as they have to spend less on other herbicides

Problem: many consumers in Europe are more wary of GM foods than are customers here in the US. This has led many in Europe, both consumers and food processors, to shy away from RR-soybeans. Huge problem with cross- contamination - 10% of supposedly non-GM soybeans have been found to be genetically modified in samples. Most of the soy in the world goes to feed animals or create soy oil. This helps lesson the demand for non- GM soybeans, because -many people don't care about what animals eat as much as what people eat- they consume 80% of soy produced -much of the soy consumed by people goes into creating oils, which synsethize out the modified genes, supposedly making them safe. Therefore not as much pressure for farmers to switch.