Over 150,000 people are calling on the governing parties to finally implement the announced export ban on pesticides that are produced in Germany but banned in the EU. Misereor, the INKOTA network and the Pesticide Action Network today handed over the signed appeal "Stop toxic exports" to Sylvia Bender, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food (BMEL). The export of pesticides that have been banned in the EU for health reasons jeopardises people in the importing countries.
Although the governing parties had agreed in the coalition agreement to ban the export of harmful pesticides that are banned in Germany, a corresponding draft regulation has been thwarted within the coalition - and has been for a year now. "The coalition had a long time to clarify open questions and agree on a legally compliant regulation text. As one of the world's largest exporters of pesticides, Germany must take responsibility and finally put a legally secure stop to the export of pesticides that have been proven to make people ill and have been taken off the market to protect its own population and agricultural workers," says Susan Haffmans, Pesticides Officer at PAN Germany. "Against the backdrop of broad public support, the members of the government should finally come to an agreement and get the export regulation off the ground," says Haffmans.
Every year, German companies export tonnes of pesticides that are banned in the EU to Africa, Asia and Latin America. Many millions of people there are defencelessly exposed to the poisons. "Agricultural workers and small farmers in particular suffer from the consequences of pesticide poisoning. Cases of cancer and respiratory diseases are on the rise and deformities in newborns are not uncommon," explains Markus Wolter, Misereor's agriculture and global food security officer. People who live near fields or plantations are particularly affected by the consequences of agricultural poisons. Pesticides contaminate their food and the groundwater. "We are calling for equal protection from dangerous pesticides for all people worldwide and a significant reduction in their use," says Wolter.
With their signatures, over 150,000 people are calling on Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir, Justice Minister Marco Buschmann and Economics Minister Robert Habeck to take responsibility and help stop this inhumane practice with the announced regulation. On behalf of the numerous supporters, Silke Bollmohr from the INKOTA network demanded at the handover: "Human rights must finally be put before profits. It is unacceptable that toxic pesticides continue to be exported despite the availability of innovative alternatives. 'Business as usual' harms people and the environment. We expect the ministers in question to immediately enforce the promised export ban regulation." In France and Belgium, export bans on banned pesticides have already been implemented nationally.
Further information:
Pictures of the signing ceremony in front of the BMEL today can be found here.
More on pesticides here.
Contact person:
Dr Silke Bollmohr, INKOTA-netzwerk, Phone: +49 174 56 20 107, Mail: Bollmohr@inkota.de
Markus Wolter, Misereor, Phone: +49 151 19 78 00 45, Mail: markus.wolter@misereor.de
Susan Haffmans, PAN Germany, Phone: +49 157 31 56 04 017, Mail: susan.haffmans@pan-germany.org
