Did you enjoy our recent film screening? Want to know more about Oxford WDM? Our next meeting is at 7:30pm on Tuesday 11th February. There will be two short (5-minute) talks explaining WDM’s current campaigns to help newcomers understand what we’re all about. We’ll also get on with the business of planning our activities for the spring and early summer. Non-members are always welcome to attend.
News
WDM victory on food speculation
We’ve been campaigning for a long time to reduce food speculation, the so-called “hunger casino” where bankers bet on food prices and make food less affordable for the world’s poorest people. Now this campaign has achieved a big victory: the EU will be introducing regulations to stop irresponsible betting on food.
The regulations aren’t perfect and we’d like them to go further. But they do two key things:
- force financial traders to be more transparent about their dealings
- limit the number of food contracts that can be held by banks and other financial organisations.
This means it will be much harder for traders to distort the market, pushing up global food prices and causing price spikes. That means that food will be more affordable and food prices more reliable.
And there’s another reason why it’s significant: until now, the EU had no rules on food speculation at all. The fact that it does is mainly thanks to the tireless campaigning of WDM and other groups – and your support.
If you’ve signed a petition, donated money or come to one of our events: thank you.
Whose food? Our food!
What’s the connection between food banks and horsemeat lasagne? Two of the biggest UK news stories of 2013 were about people not having control of their food supply. Factors such as poverty, rising food prices and complex supply chains are reducing people’s control over what they eat.
It’s time to take that control back. Whose food? Our food! is an inspiring look at alternatives to the “shut up and eat what you’re given” model. This WDM film explores both the reasons behind the current dire situation and ways in which people are reclaiming power over their food supply.
Date: Tuesday 14th January
Venue: The Long Room, Oxford Town Hall (wheelchair-accessible)
Time: 8pm
Free entry
The fracking threat: public meeting in Bicester
A large expanse of north Oxfordshire has been identified as a possible site for fracking (drilling for shale gas). It won’t be long before companies begin applying for licences to drill in this part of Oxfordshire.
There will be a public meeting about the fracking threat on Friday, jointly organised by Oxon Against Fracking and Banbury & Cherwell Green Party. It will be chaired by Green MEP Keith Taylor.
The meeting will include a couple of short films about fracking, information about Keith’s personal experience of witnessing what it’s like to live near a fracking site and details of the areas in Oxfordshire where fracking could take place. There will also be a question and answer session.
Date & Time: Friday 10th January 2014, 7.30pm
Venue: Bicester Methodist Church, Bell Lane, Bicester (Sheep Street end)
This event is not organised by WDM.
Film on food sovereignty
How can communities take control of the food they produce and consume? In January we’ll be hosting a free film screening about food sovereignty, showing examples of successful food projects in several different countries. Key details:
Date: Tuesday 14th January
Venue: The Long Room, Oxford Town Hall (wheelchair-accessible)
Time: 8pm
Free entry
Sustainable Food info day
Oxford has just joined the Sustainable Food Cities Network and will be holding an information and discussion day on Monday 2nd December. Topics to be covered include food supply chains and reducing waste. The event is jointly organised by Low Carbon Oxford and Cultivate (not WDM). Email hannah.jacobs@lowcarbonhub.org for more details. Space is limited, so it is essential that attendees sign up in advance.
