On 17th January, almost 50,000 people came together in Germany’s capital to call for a change of course in Europe’s agricultural policy. Farmers, consumers and activists took to the streets of Berlin to protest against factory farming, genetic engineering and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement between the EU and the United States. The march was organised by a broad alliance of more than 100 farmers’, environmental, animal welfare and development organisations, known as “Wir haben es satt!” (we are fed up). “The EU-USA trade agreement, the TTIP, only serves global corporations, and will take away the means of existence from many farms here and across the world”, rally organiser Jochen Fritz told the media. Equipped with posters and creative costumes, farmers, consumers, beekeepers and activists joined the march that was led by a procession of 80 tractors and ended in front of Angela Merkel’s chancellery. “Eating is political. Every single decision I make about what to buy determines how animals are kept or what is grown in our fields. And I can make sure that I support the farmers and not the big agricultural industry corporations”, Fritz said. Police downplayed the protest, saying 25,000 people joined the peaceful demonstration. Now in its fifth year, the ‘We Are Fed Up!’ march takes place annually during the International Green Week – Europe’s biggest agricultural fair that has just begun in Berlin. (ab)