Clipping of news on Brazilian Culture, Law and Citizenship
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The National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) recently banned acephate and endosulfan, the active ingredients in the manufacture of pesticides, banned in several countries to cause damage to the environment and health. Behind this news is a worrying scenario, since Brazil is today the world's largest consumer of pesticides.
Uncontrolled use of these products is directly related to many fatal diseases, acute and chronic diseases, like cancer, hormonal disorders, genetic malformations, neurological problems and allergies. According to 2007 data of the National Poison Information (SINITOX) were recorded in the country 9670 cases of acute pesticide poisoning in agricultural and domestic use, with 213 deaths.
Since 2001, Anvisa monitors pesticide residues in fresh food. In 2008 were analyzed 17 cultures, and were found in all samples with residues above permitted by law or in the presence of banned substances.
In the environment, the practice has shown that pests become more resistant, requiring new solutions and increasing the cost of production. For rural workers, in addition to rising costs and continuing their health is affected, the land becomes depleted, the animals are also affected and biodiversity is destroyed, contrary to the collective interest. There is no profit to restore these losses.
Many researchers and entrepreneurs are proving the feasibility of a model of agricultural production more environmentally sustainable and economically. Embrapa, for example, initiated the project "Transition Agroecológica: participatory construction of knowledge for sustainability", bringing together 25 research units and 29 institutions throughout Brazil.
We must invest in technologies that reduce the use of toxic substances, for the good of agriculture itself. The overall trend is the increasing environmental requirements and restrictions related to chemicals.
Anvisa is doing on your website, public consultations as part of the review of toxicological data of several active ingredients of pesticides. Even performing a work of undeniable public interest, it has suffered strong opposition from some sectors.
Therefore, the support of society is fundamental, especially the farmers. After all, they will be the first beneficiaries of the implementation of new protocols and clean technologies are vital tools for Brazilian agriculture to give its big jump in quality.
Marina Silva is an educator, Senator (PV-AC) and former minister of the environment. contatomarinasilva@uol.com.br
Originally published in the newspaper Folha de S. Paulo on 05-10-09, second.
Source: Mercado Ético
This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.