Latin America
Related: About this forumHuman 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 isnt 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.
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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
Judi Lynn
(160,217 posts)July 20, 2018 5:01AM EDT
Brazils Industrial Farmers Spray Dangerous Chemicals Near Schools, Villages
Brazil is the worlds 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.
Whats happening with pesticides in Brazil?
Brazils 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 theres 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 theyre called the rural caucus, and theyre a very powerful political block. They try to weaken the laws around pesticides.
Are pesticides used in a dangerous way?
Across rural Brazil theres a huge problem with pesticide drift. Thats when pesticides blow off the target crops onto nearby farms, communities, people. And its 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