Agro business shooting star in Ukraine turns into nightmare for investors
February 18, 2015
The story of the defaulted company Mriya Agro Holding shows what risks investors and creditors are willing to take in the pursuit of profit in Ukraine’s agribusiness. Major creditors, including the International Finance Corporation and export credit agencies have been left with little hopes of recoveries. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has escaped the financial loss by a hair’s-breadth.
Quantity over quality in EBRD food security initiative – Evidence from pig farms in Ukraine
February 19, 2014
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development praises its own achievements in the agricultural sector. A look at Ukraine, however, reveals how sustainable food provision, local communities and the quality of soil are falling by the wayside with the bank’s focus on big industrial operations.
Letter to EBRD: Complaint filed with IFC on Danosha pig farms in Ukraine
February 5, 2014
Local communities in the Ivano-Frankvisk region in Ukraine have filed a complaint with the IFC’s complaint mechanism regarding the conduct of agribusiness corporation Danosha. This letter summarises the complaint’s content and asks the EBRD to follow the complaint process and derive lessons for its own support of industrial farming projects in Ukraine.
Local impacts of Danosha pig farms, Ukraine
November 27, 2013
The EBRD is considering a loan to the Ukrainian agribusiness corporation Danosha whose pig farms in the Ivano-Frankvisk region have triggered numerous complains by locals.
Guest post: EBRD financed Ukrainian agribusiness causes local insecurities
October 28, 2013
Environmental groups in Ukraine have highlighted the negative local impacts of one of the biggest agribusinesses in the country, MHP, that is in line to receive additional credit by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Green agriculture spending culled in Estonia – NGOs demand proper use of future EU money
June 26, 2013
While the EU’s future common agricultural policy is taking shape in Brussels, it’s not just there that major agri-business interests are flexing their muscles to take the ‘green-ness’ out of EU agricultural spending.
Good news: EBRD drops controversial Monsanto project
January 28, 2013
A potential cooperation between the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the agro-corporation Monsanto has thankfully not come to fruition. The case highlights the difficulties for a large development bank to reach farmers on the ground.
Monsanto Should Not Expand Relying on Public Money
November 19, 2012
London — Monsanto, the world’s largest seed producer and one of the most prominent promoters of GMO crops worldwide, is set to receive 40 million US dollars of public financial support via the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
European public development money for Monsanto? Whatever next?!
November 14, 2012
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development considers supporting one of the most criticised and controversial corporations on the planet, Monsanto. Reasons for deciding against it are plenty.
