US Government bans pesticide endosulfan
One of the pesticides at the centre of the Sunland Fish Hatchery spray-drift dispute, endosulfan, will be immediately phased out by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Endosulfan, which was used on vegetables, fruits and cotton in the US, has been banned because it “can pose unacceptable neurological and reproductive risks to farmworkers and wildlife and can persist in the environment.”
The EPA stated that, while endosulfan does not present a risk to human health from dietary exposure, new data have suggested that the risks of endosulfan are greater than were previously known, including risks to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife who consume the substance on plants, and to animals higher up the food chain.
In Australia, use of endosulfan is tightly regulated by APVMA, who have asked the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts to review new scientific information on endosulfan, particularly in regard to ‘long-range environmental transport’ – the movement of the pesticide through the environment and the food chain.
Growcom and the Queensland horticulture industry have released a statement that they will comply with any decisions made by APVMA.
Why none is questioning the fact that agencies like US EPA and EU and Stockholm Convention base their decision making on only “probable facts”. Words like “can”, “possible endocrine disruptor”, “suggested data” etc should NEVER appear in context to decision on global ban of agrochemicals. People all over the world protect their crop with Endosulfan, be it Europe, USA, Australia or India. Till today EU allows reregistration of endosulfan. Withing last 2 years it was used in Italy on walnut. EDIBLE crop. Hence it is not THAT toxic as “money making agencies” claim.
Banning this pesticide will impact a lot of things. 1/3 of global food is pollinated by honey bee. Endosulfan is the ONLY honey bee friendly insecticide. how much have recent new neonicotinoids harmed honey bee populations all over the world we all know. Neonecotinoids were invented by EU as replacement for Endosulfan. What for? to kill honey bee, who gives us so much food. Waht will we gain by this? Nothing.
Recent statement of US EPA claim that Endosulfan will still be used in cattle, and the only risk Endosulfan causes is through exposure. no bio-accumulation. They are willing to ban it cause of polar bears and allow it in cattle. Don’t you think there is something really strange in that?
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