Brasília, 6/29/2006 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - In a note signed by its national secretariat, the Landless Rural Worker Movement (Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra) (MST) commented on the resignation of minister of Agriculture, Roberto Rodrigues. According to the note, "Unfortunately, Rodrigues did not support the democratization of land ownership, the linkage of income distribution and food sovereignty, or the use of farming techniques that are ecologically friendly."

The note goes on to say that the principal concern at the MST is to adopt economic policies and a farm model that benefits the majority of Brazilians. And warns that if this is not done the country will face grave problems with hunger, poverty and unemployment in a society that is already one of the most unequal on the planet.

Translation: Allen Bennett