We are pushing for a ban on herbicides that cause cancer

The Public Environmental Center for Sustainable Development, as part of the Coalition for Nature to Remain in Bulgaria, is pushing for a ban on glyphosate and glyphosate-containing herbicides. You can read and sign the petition to all responsible institutions here.

In many countries, different levels of glyphosate and glyphosate-containing herbicides are banned. In Luxembourg, the ban is total, and in France from January 1, 2020 applies to non-agricultural production – kindergartens, parks, private yards and gardens.

The initiator of the petition – Agrolink Association, starts with the smaller goal, but easier to achieve in our country – a ban on the use of the herbicide in green areas in kindergartens, parks, private yards and gardens, sports grounds and playgrounds, inter-block spaces , gated residential and business complexes.

Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide used to control weeds and is the most widely used herbicide in the world. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in herbicides produced under the trade names Roundup, NASA and many others.

Why is it important?

– In 2015, after a thorough study, the World Health Organization identified glyphosate as possibly carcinogenic.

– Glyphosate causes non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma – a lethal cancer of the immune system;

– Bees, other pollinators and birds are dying en masse in Bulgaria due to overuse of agricultural biocides, incl. and glyphosate;

– Glyphosate has a direct impact on the health of farmers and small gardeners who use it;

– In the United States, more than 10,000 farmers have filed lawsuits against Bayer / Monsanto, the manufacturer of Roundup. In the latest case, Bayer / Monsanto was ordered to pay $ 2.424 billion for causing disability and cancer;

– Glyphosate remains not only in the soil, but also in processed products such as bread, beer and others, which contain crops treated with glyphosate. Glyphosate is also found in the water we drink.

Where are glyphosate-containing herbicides used in Bulgaria?

Everywhere! In the green areas of kindergartens, in parks, in private gardens and yards of houses, golf and football fields, stadiums, parks, all grassy areas. It is a myth that the grandmothers of the village produce “pure” tomatoes and vegetables.

Where there is a ban on glyphosate?

There are different levels of glyphosate bans in 39 countries around the world.

– Luxembourg is the first country in the EU to introduce a total ban on glyphosate-containing herbicides on 1 February 2020.

– Belgium, Italy, France and Malta have banned the use of glyphosate in the treatment of public and private gardens, parks and sports venues.

– In 2018, the Czech Republic, Italy and Denmark banned the treatment of crops before harvest so that it does not remain in the food.

– In July 2019, the Austrian Parliament voted for a total ban on glyphosate, which has not yet entered into force.

– In 2019, Angela Merkel said that glyphosate will be banned until 2023.

– The use of glyphosate for non-commercial purposes is prohibited in the Netherlands.

From 1 January 2020, EUR 25 million has been set aside for the implementation of the ordinance to ban the use of dangerous pesticides, incl. and glyphosate less than 20 meters from buildings, including schools, homes, office buildings, and for private gardens and vineyards. Another EUR 14 million will support research on the effects of chemicals on human health and the environment.

Translator: Valentina Vagge