NEW REPORT: END OF THE ROAD FOR ENDOSULFAN

Despite being banned in 62 countries, its continued production and use continues to poison and people and environments as a number of countries, led by India, stand in the way of a global ban.

A new report by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) details the environmental and human impacts of one of the world's most dangerous and pervasive pesticides, highlighting why it should be banned globally.

Download the full report PDF here

Endosulfan is the dominant pesticide in the cotton sector in 19 countries. Last month Bayer CropScience, formerly Europe's biggest producer, confirmed it will phase out the sale of Endosulfan in 2010 following continued pressure from campaigners including EJF and Pesticide Action Network.

It's big news for the food and clothing (cotton) industry, especially with the movement of consumer consciousness towards more ethical production. Eliminating the worst pesticides from use in the fields inherently cleans up the supply chain, protecting both people and planet, irrespective of whether people buy into the 'organic movement' or not, improving environmental security for everyone.

Much like the case in the news this summer of the British children affected by poisoning from the closure of British Steel plants, many thousands of people in communities living close to the spraying of endosulfan suffer the horrific health impacts, causing disease, birth deformities and even death.

High street retailers and international celebrities have joined EJF's call to action for a global ban and support the campaign and there are simple ways people can show their support through EJF's website.

Key points in the report:

• A 2008 Europe-wide supermarket survey revealed that grapes bought from a supermarket in France were found to contain endosulfan, even though its use has been illegal in Europe since 2007.
• Accidental exposure - particularly by eating contaminated food - is by far the most common way people are poisoned.
• 20,000 agricultural workers die each year from pesticide poisoning (this includes all pesticides and not just endosulfan).
• Poisonous to most living organisms, endosulfan is classified by the US Environmental Protection Agency as 'highly hazardous' - yet the pesticide has been extensively used for food production.
• Endosulfan has been found in the breast milk of women in many countries, including South Africa, Spain and Finland. A survey of women in Denmark and Finland found endosulfan in all samples of breast milk and all placental samples.
• Readily absorbed through the skin and via the stomach and lungs, the pesticide has been linked to congenital physical disorders, mental disabilities, cancer and deaths.
• In October 2009 government delegations meeting under the auspices of the Stockholm Convention's 'Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee' will consider whether endosulfan should progress to the next stage of the review process - potentially a step closer to a global ban.
• India - the world's largest producer and user of endosulfan - strongly opposes an international ban, and is hampering efforts to eradicate the pesticide. The Indian Government owns Hindustan Insecticides Ltd, one of the world's top producers of endosulfan. Despite this, one state in India (Kerala) has already made the decision to ban endosulfan in response to studies showing its devastating effect on human health.

Consumers can support the call for a global ban by sending online action letters or making a donation to EJF's campaign.

Since 2001 environmental and human rights charity EJF has campaigned for a global ban on endosulfan - which is used widely on food crops and cotton.

Download the full report PDF here

For more information, quotes, interviews or pictures contact: Larissa Clark 0207 239 3310 / larissa.clark@ejfoundation.org>