From the 12th to 15th May, members of our European network gathered in Valencia for the annual Food, Agriculture & Biodiversity (FAB) meeting, hosted by our partners at Amigas de la Tierra. Martin FoEM Director, & Damjan the FAB Malta Campaign Coordinator participated in the network gathering where alongside, strategy discussions on corporate capture, false promises, and the challenges faced by young farmers, we also volunteered at the Albufera Nature Reserve, an area severely impacted by last year’s devastating floods.

During a cleanup at the site, we discovered pharmaceutical contaminants such as Tramadol and Amoxicillin in the soil. The pollution was traced back to the nearby Fedefarma facilities. These floods carried tons of toxic waste into agricultural land, leaving farmers unable to grow crops and damaging one of Valencia’s most vital ecosystems. The company has refused to take responsibility, highlighting the urgent need to keep industrial development away from protected natural areas. Follow @amigasdelatierra.bsky.social to learn more about their inspiring grassroots work for climate justice, food sovereignty, and corporate accountability.