Brazil's Pesticide Poisoning Problem Poses Global Dilemma, Say Critics
Brazils pesticide poisoning problem poses global dilemma, say critics
by Anna Sophie Gross on 27 August 2018
Brazil is second only to the U.S. in its use of chemical pesticides, with many of the chemicals sprayed in Brazil on soy and other crops banned by the EU and the United States. Pesticide poisoning is a major Brazilian problem. In 2016, 4,208 cases of intoxication by exposure to pesticides were registered across the nation the equivalent of 11 per day (killing 355 people).
The ruralista bancada, the powerful agribusiness lobby, is currently pushing an amendment through congress that would significantly weaken Brazils 1989 pesticide law. Analysts say the legislation (6.299/2002), dubbed the Poison Bill by critics, would make the approval of new pesticides far easier.
Brazils lax pesticide rules arent just a threat to farmworkers. Many toxins are persistent in the environment and in the food we eat. A Brazilian analysis of pesticide residue in foods such as rice, apples and peppers found that of 9,680 samples collected from 2013 to 2015, some 20 percent contained pesticide residues that exceeded allowed levels or contained unapproved pesticides.
Transnational pesticide makers such as Syngenta, Bayer and BASF produce pesticides in the EU which are considered highly hazardous so hazardous, they are banned in their countries of origin but the firms also sell these pesticides in high quantities to Brazil and other developing nations. Experts say that sprayed Brazilian exports of fruit, vegetables and coffee could be contaminated.
More:
https://news.mongabay.com/2018/08/brazils-pesticide-poisoning-problem-poses-global-dilemma-say-critics/