Oct 2010: A village takes action in Brazil

Chega is a Community Fair trade soya supplier in Brazil. The group has been farming organically for many years now, and the farmers have chosen to be organic farmers despite the increased work load this represents, as they believe it better for their health and the environment.

However, while the ban on Endosulfan in Brazil waits to be implemented (details below), there are conventional farmers encroaching on their area (which also borders the Iguassu national park), and some of their recent crops have been rejected on entry to Europe as they have found traces of Endosulfan in their soya beans.

Chega is a “Village taking action” to ensure more effective enforcement of the phase out of endosulfan as part of their campaign for the toxic pesticide to be banned in Brazil.

Thousands of people have signed their petition – you can help by doing the same on their website below.

http://www.chega.org/en/chega/village-takes-action/
 

July 2010: Brazil has become the latest country to cancel the registration of pesticide endosulfan on the grounds that it represents a serious threat to human health and the environment.

Brazil’s decision will help protect its people from the devastating effects of endosulfan
Brazil’s decision will help protect its people from the devastating effects of endosulfan
The risks of exposure to endosulfan are extremely serious – linked to severe physical deformities, reproductive problems and neurological conditions, with the worst cases of exposure being fatal.

Brazil now joins the ever growing ranks of countries whose national governments have all taken steps to eliminate the deadly pesticide, including EU countries and the US.
 

Phasing in a ban

Based on the decision of the committee formed by the Brazilian Institute of Environment (IBAMA), Ministry of Agriculture (Map) and National Agency for Sanitary Surveillance (ANVISA), imports of endosulfan will be banned from July 31st 2011.

Domestic production will be phased out over the course of the next few years, until manufacture and use of endosulfan in Brazil is completely prohibited in July 2013.

A landmark decision

Although the ban is not effective immediately, this decision is hugely important for the health and wellbeing of Brazil’s people.

This national ban also represents another critical step towards the end of endosulfan use worldwide.

 

What you can do

Pesticides know no geographic or political boundaries, and residues of endosulfan have been found great distances from application sites – even in the blood of polar bears in Svalbard.

The decisions national governments make affect the whole planet. See our online action below and in a few clicks you can help make a difference today.

Learn more

Read about the high price of endosulfan
being paid by ordinary people in EJF’s latest report End of the Road for Endosulfan.

Watch Australia’s 60 Minutes feature

on the horrific consequences of endosulfan exposure as experienced through the eyes of Australian hatchery owner Gwen Gilson.