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03/10/2006:

"Rural rights activists wreck Brazilian plantation"

A group of about 2,000 rural activists invaded a eucalyptus plantation in southern Brazil this week causing millions of pounds damage to one of the country's biggest paper producers.

The protesters, linked to Brazil's Landless Workers Movement (MST), ransacked the grounds of Aracruz Celulose in the early hours of Wednesday, tearing up bulbs and destroying 15 years of genetic research, according to the company.

Yesterday, as Brazilian authorities condemned the attacks as "vandalism" and "banditry", those responsible said they were opening up a new front in the fight for justice in rural areas and against multinational agricultural businesses.
guardian.co.uk