Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Judi Lynn

(160,211 posts)
Fri Jul 20, 2018, 12:57 PM Jul 2018

Human Rights Watch urges Brazil to regulate pesticides more

By SARAH DILORENZO, ASSOCIATED PRESS
SAO PAULO — Jul 20, 2018, 5:05 AM ET



The Associated Press

FILE - In this March 5, 2009 file photo, workers on tractors harvest soybeans in Campo Novo do Parecis, in Mato Grosso state, Brazil. Human Rights Watch released a report on Friday, July 20, 2018 saying Brazil is one of the largest consumers of pesticides in the world and that the nation isn’t doing enough to protect people from the hazardous products. (AP Photo/Maurilio Cheli, File)


Human Rights Watch urged the Brazilian government Friday to establish buffer zones nationwide when pesticides are sprayed and reduce the use of highly toxic products.

The group said in a report that Brazil is one of the largest consumers of pesticides in the world and it often uses products that are not authorized elsewhere. Of the 10 most common pesticides in Brazil, four cannot be used in the European Union.

The poorly regulated use of pesticides puts people's health at risk, the report said. Health Ministry data show that around 4,000 pesticide poisoning cases were reported last year. The ministry said in a report this year that there has been progress on reporting the number of cases, but that the figures continue to greatly underrepresent the reality.

. . .

Agriculture is a major engine of the economy in Brazil, which is among the largest producers of sugar, coffee and soybeans in the world. The "rural caucus" of lawmakers in Congress, who defend the interests of large landowners, are allies of President Michel Temer and wield significant political power.

More:
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/human-rights-watch-urges-brazil-regulate-pesticides-56706313

1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Human Rights Watch urges Brazil to regulate pesticides more (Original Post) Judi Lynn Jul 2018 OP
Interview: Drowning in Pesticides Judi Lynn Jul 2018 #1

Judi Lynn

(160,211 posts)
1. Interview: Drowning in Pesticides
Fri Jul 20, 2018, 01:01 PM
Jul 2018

July 20, 2018 5:01AM EDT

Brazil’s Industrial Farmers Spray Dangerous Chemicals Near Schools, Villages


Brazil is the world’s biggest pesticide market. Lax pesticide laws – in danger of becoming even looser – mean that toxic pesticides are sprayed near schools, indigenous communities, traditional Afro-Brazilian communities called quilombos, and rural communities, making people sick and endangering their long-term health. Richard Pearshouse, associate director of the Human Rights Watch environmental division, speaks with Amy Braunschweiger about the plight of rural communities, and why people are afraid to speak out against pesticide use.

What’s happening with pesticides in Brazil?

Brazil’s an agriculture powerhouse in terms of the amount of land under farming. The farming of soy, sugarcane, cotton, and corn is done at an industrial scale and pesticides are used intensively. Also, dangerous pesticides are used. Yet there’s a lot of political support for the large farms and the pesticides they use.

Agriculture is a tremendous political force in Brazil. Many politicians are farmers. In Brazil they’re called the “rural caucus,” and they’re a very powerful political block. They try to weaken the laws around pesticides.

Are pesticides used in a dangerous way?

Across rural Brazil there’s a huge problem with pesticide drift. That’s when pesticides blow off the target crops onto nearby farms, communities, people. And it’s both ground spraying – the big tractor with the arms down each side and the nozzles down the arms – and airplanes that spray as they fly over.

More:
https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/07/20/interview-drowning-pesticides

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Latin America»Human Rights Watch urges ...