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Pesticides News No 53
The Journal of Pesticide Action Network UK
An international perspective on the health and environmental effects of pesticides
Quarterly/September 2001
News
Retailer bans suspect pesticides 3
The UK retailer and farming enterprise, the Co-op, has banned the use of 24 pesticides worldwide in crops it purchases because of rising consumer concerns about health and environmental impacts. As Britain's biggest farmer, the Co-op believes governments must start applying the 'precautionary principle' to existing and new pesticides and increase support for safer alternatives. David Buffin reports.
Developing country hazards
Dangerous phosphine practices in West Africa 4
Following liberalisation, highly toxic phosphine for grain preservation is readily available in West Africa. Peter Golob and Bruno Tran report on the hazardous practices among smallholders and retailers and explain why these are also ineffective in protecting grain from pest damage.
Phorate poisoning in India 5
In June two pesticide accidents occurred in Idukki district, Kerala, one in a cardamom plantation and another in a tea estate. The pesticide involved was phorate, a highly hazardous organophosphate (OP).
Vietnam promotes solutions to pesticide risks 6
Tanzanian risk reduction - Regulators seek stakeholder support 8
Faced with rising pesticide use, and lack of resources, a concerted effort to involve stakeholders in a pesticide risk reduction programme must be the way ahead, argues Alcheraus Rwazo of the Tropical Pesticides Research Institute which regulates pesticides.
Aerial spraying devastates Colombian communities 9
Indigenous peoples in the Amazon are urgently calling for an end to the aerial spraying of herbicides, part of the US-funded anti-drugs tactics in Colombia, because it is destroying their communities. How can one of the world's most widely used and 'safest' weedkillers produce such shocking impacts?
Regulation
Promoting precaution 10
Concern about the known, unknown and uncertain impacts of chemicals has led public interest groups to lobby regulators to take a more precautionary approach to pesticide safety and approval. David Buffin reports on the debate.
Water contamination 11
Chlorpyrifos pollution kills fish
In August 2001, UK Environment Agency officers traced the source of a pesticide which has killed hundreds of fish on the River Ouse in Southern England to the insecticide chlorpyrifos.
Residues in UK water among highest in Europe
A new survey of sources of drinking water shows that the UK has some of the highest levels, according to EUREAU, an organisation that represents water industry associations across Europe.
Company watch
Corporate change 12
The agrochemical industry continues to consolidate with company mergers and takeovers leading to ever-larger corporate interests and links between pesticides and genetically engineered seeds. Barbara Dinham reports on the latest analyses of the industry.
Unions news
Unions promote Integrated Pest Management 15
Agricultural workers are acutely aware that chemical pesticides are bad for their health and that of their families and communities. 'What are the alternatives and how do we stop using these poisons' are the questions most frequently asked at health and safety workshops for pesticide operators.
Protecting vulnerable workers in agriculture 16
21 June 2001 was an historic day for the world's agricultural workers, with the signing of a new International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention and Recommendation on safety and health in agriculture. Peter Hurst reports.
European news 17
New PAN UK resources 17
Local action on pesticides
Lawns - the risk of pesticide use 18
The UK non-agricultural sector used 5,400 tonnes of pesticide active ingredients during 2000(1). Over 175 pesticide products, containing over 13 active ingredients are specifically produced to control lawn problems in the UK(2). Our apparent obsession with creating an unnatural green carpet not only reduces biodiversity but also increases the risk of exposure to pesticides.
Canada Supreme Court allows ban on lawn pesticides 19
In June 2001 the Canadian supreme court upheld the decision of the Hudson local authority in Montreal to ban the use of residential lawn care pesticides under local bylaw legislation.
Fact sheet
Metaldehyde 20
Metaldehyde is used widely around the world as a molluscicide to kill slugs and snails, although it is toxic to all animals that ingest it. There is widespread concern that there has been an unacceptable number of poisoning incidents especially involving domestic pets, wild animals and birds.
Food safety
Lettuce residue alarm 21
Consumers who regularly eat salad are being exposed to a cocktail of potentially dangerous chemicals. Pesticide residues in lettuce continue to threaten our health, both now and in the future.