February - March 2006
1. PAN Europe activities
Advance notice of PAN Europe Annual Conference 2006
In collaboration with Legambiente and the Italian Organic Farming
Association (AIAB) we will be holding our Network Annual Conference
for members and other supporters Thursday 7 and Friday 8
September 2006 in Bologna, Italy. The conference will be
held at the same time and site as SANA, one the largest organic
fairs in the world and it will also be an excellent opportunity
to visit this fair. The central theme for this years’ conference
is Integrated Crop Management/Integrated Pest Management and alternatives
to chemical crop protection from the point of view of producers,
retailers and consumers, with a special emphasis in Italian/regional
examples. We will also hold our Network Annual General Meeting on
the 8th September.
Action for the elimination of eight hazardous pesticides
in the EU market
The Commission proposal for the inclusion of eight hazardous pesticides
in the EU market was postponed from the meeting of the Standing
Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health of 26/27 January to
the 3rd March. The Commission’s proposals to include these
substances are particularly worrying since in August 2005, it had
informed the registrants of the eight substances that it was “considering
the possible non-inclusion of the substance”. Several months
later, the Commission did a u-turn and decided to include these
same substances with restrictions, despite member states experts’
recommendations to keep them off the positive list. The eight substances
include several with mutagenic and hormone mimicking properties
and the results from the evaluation conducted by Member States experts
and scientific advisors recommended their exclusion from the EU
market.
PAN Europe, EEB-European Environmental Bureau and EEN-EPHA Environment
Network wrote to all representatives from Member States to reject
the 8 substances. PAN Europe also encouraged members and partners
to contact their national Ministries of Agriculture, Environment
and Consumers and representatives in the SCFCAH. The response from
PAN Europe members was very encouraging, with members starting internet
actions and media campaigns raising pesticide issues in the national
media.
In the 3rd of March meeting the eight proposals failed to achieve
the necessary qualified majority of Member States and a new proposal
will have to be transmitted to the Council. The Commission is now
working on a new proposal to submit to the Agriculture Council in
the beginning of April. After this date, the Council will have to
reach a decision within three months.
Participation in the Draft Assessment Report on diazinon
Under the new provisions for participation in the Draft Assessment
Report (DAR) of active substances under the revision process forecasted
in Directive 91/414/EEC, the public has now forty days to comment
on the draft assessment report prepared by the rapporteur Member
State. Diazinon is an organophosphate pesticide known for its neurotoxic
effects and banned in a number of European and African countries.
Portugal is the rapporteur Member State for diazinon and it proposes
not to include the substance in the European market because no safe
uses were found under mammalian toxicology and ecotoxicology. The
risk assessment also found no acceptable level of risk for operators,
workers and bystanders.
In our view, existing data gaps, concerns about neurotoxicity and
the vast scientific literature indicate no safe uses for diazinon.
The present DAR also does not take into consideration the vast scientific
literature existing on: the possible carcinogenic effects of diazinon,
reproductive effects, special sensitivity of children, possible
links with Parkinson disease, neurodevelopmental effects and wildlife.
Therefore, we submitted a fact sheet and a list of recent scientific
studies on the effects of diazinon on human health and wildlife.
EFSA will peer review the DAR submitted by the Member State rapporteur
and publish conclusions that will be taken into consideration by
the European Commission when preparing a proposal for the substance.
Discussion of pesticides legislation in the Council
during the Finish Presidency
The Framework Directive within the Thematic Strategy and the revision
of Directive 91/414/EEC are scheduled to be addressed by the Agricultural
Council meeting 19-20 June 2006 in the draft agenda of the Austrian
Presidency of the European Union. PAN Europe is concerned about
the continuity for this dossier during the Finnish Presidency in
the second half of 2006 because we believe these issues are better
addressed at the level of the Environment Council. With the support
of the Finnish Society for Nature Conservation, we addressed the
Finnish Environment and Agricultural Ministers insisting to have
the new pesticide regulations addressed at the Environmental Council
level during the Finnish Presidency of the EU.
Approval of active ingredients in EU review
The EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCFCAH)
has approved two new active ingredients: the insecticide
clothianidin; and the herbicide pethoxamid, which are to be included
in Annex I after the confirmation by the European Commission. The
SCFCAH voted for the inclusion of five existing active ingredients
to Annex I: tolclofos-methyl (neurotoxic), a fungicide; pirimicarb
(neurotoxic), an insecticide; herbicides rimsulfuron and clodinafop
and triticonazole, a fungicide. The European Commission also authorised
Member States to extend provisional approvals for Syngenta’s
new insecticide, thiamethoxam, by up to two years.
The EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCFCAH)
didn’t reach a qualified majority to approve the substances
azinphos-methyl, carbendazim, dinocap, fenarimol, flusilazole, methamidophos,
procymidone and vinclozolin in the meeting of 3rd March. A new proposal
is in preparation and will be transmitted to the Council in the
beginning of April.
Pesticides are EU citizens' top food-related health
concern
A recent Eurobarometer survey about EU citizens' general fears and
fears about food shows that 63% are concerned about pesticide residues
in fruit and vegetables. The Eurobarometer study, commissioned by
the Commission and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), was
published in February 2006 and examines EU citizens' general risk
perceptions and risks associated with food.
As to food safety, the survey results show high levels of concern
about:
Pesticide residues in fruit, vegetables and cereals (63%), new viruses
like avian influenza (62%), residues in meats like antibiotics and
hormones (62%), unhygienic conditions in food handling outside the
home, such as in food processing plants, shops or restaurants (62%),
pollutants like mercury or dioxins (59%), genetically modified products
in food or drinks (58%) and additives like colours, preservatives
or flavourings used in food or drinks (57%).
Consumer groups (32%), physicians or doctors (also 32%) and scientists
(30%) are considered as the most trusted information sources regarding
serious food risks, ahead of public authorities (22%) and the media
(17%). The citizens trust food manufacturers (6%), farmers (6%)
and supermarkets or shops (3%) the least.
Brain tumours and pesticides
The ARC (Association pour la Recherche sur le Cancer) and Fnath
(Association des accidentés de la vie) presented the first
results of an epidemiological research programme focusing on professional
cancers started in 2002.
The results show that individuals professionally exposed to pesticides
have 2.6 times more risks of developing brain tumours. The risk
is even multiplied by 3.2 for particular types of brain cancer.
Research previously showed a positive link between pesticide use
and development of cancer but this is the first time a positive
link is established for this important type of cancer, said Professor
Marcel Goldberg, coordinator of the epidemiological research of
professional cancers.
Around 10% of all cancers in France have a professional origin,
representing 20,000 cases a year. The proportion directly attributed
to professional exposure is as high as 10% to 15% for lung cancer
and 15% to 20% for digestive and air systems.
Researchers flag up endocrine disruptor risks
A class of poorly researched endocrine-disrupting chemicals poses
a much greater risk to the environment and humans than previously
thought, according to the results of the EU funded research project
Comprendo. The Comprendo project investigated human and environmental
exposures to androgens and anti-androgens. The study of endocrine
disruption began with a focus on compounds capable of mimicking
or interfering with oestrogen and until now 90% of endocrine disruption
research efforts have gone into oestrogens. The project forms part
of the wider Credo programme on endocrine disrupters and its results
were presented at a conference in Germany in March.
The project looked at around 20 substances including pharmaceuticals
and agricultural pesticides. They found worryingly high levels in
the environment, in areas such as the Po and Elbe rivers. Among
them were fenarimol and vinclozolin, two of a group of eight pesticides
currently the focus of an EU regulatory dispute.
Comprendo found "remarkably high risk factors" associated
with the EDCs studied. The substances interfered with sperm and
egg formation in a large range of animal species at extraordinarily
low concentrations (parts per billion).
Pesticides and cancer: review suggests increased risk
in young
A systematic review of all the evidence to date by researchers from
Liverpool University concludes that low levels of synthetic pesticides
and organochlorines with endocrine-disrupting properties could be
major facts in the development of cancers, particularly for hormone-dependent
malignancies, such as breast, testicular and prostate cancers. It
concludes that while population studies had not conclusively proved
a link between lower levels of the potentially carcinogenic chemicals
and people of any age, some animal studies have indicated the link.
There was further evidence that genetically predisposed individuals
and vulnerable groups such as developing foetus, the developing
child and adolescent might be more vulnerable to the chemicals.
The research indicates that the dangers of pesticides for children
have been underestimated as chemicals can potentially cause cancer
in children at parts per billion and parts per trillion levels,
rather than parts per million and thousands. Furthermore, these
substances could affect the development of babies before they are
born and increase their likelihood of developing cancer later in
life. The organochlorines also accumulate in breast milk, raising
the possibility that babies are vulnerable while breastfeeding.
The evidence suggested the link is "feasible" and enough
for parents to consider switching to organic diets to avoid contamination.
Women exposure to organochlorine pesticides in Southern
Spain
Southern Spain has the largest area of intensive greenhouse agriculture
in Europe, and may constitute a special case of occupational and
female exposure, because this type of farming requires considerable
pesticide use and employs many women. A team of researchers from
Granada measured adipose tissue levels of 14 organochlorine pesticides
in 458 women living in the area and analyzed the relationship between
pesticide level/presence and sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive
history or life-style factors that may influence this exposure.
Almost 70% of all women had measurable levels of endosulfan and/or
metabolites, with the higher exposure in women with shorter residence
in rural settings and more frequent in women with 3 children or
more. 52.62% were exposed to aldrin–dieldrin–endrin
group. Endrin was more frequent in women who were younger, with
higher educational level or no agricultural working experience;
dieldrin was more frequent in women who were older, with lower educational
level or more children. Finally, lindane residues were found in
39.30%. Lindane levels were higher in women who breastfed longer
or had more children. Research is required on women occupationally
exposed to a selected group of organochlorine pesticides, especially
those of reproductive age, as a basis for preventive action.
EU research to look into chemical exposure of babies
A new 15 million euro research project has been launched to investigate
exposure to chemicals in food and the environment and their connection
with childhood cancer and immune disorders.
NewGeneris was launched on 1 February 2006 as a new European Integrated
Research Project under the Community's 6th Framework Research Programme
(FP6). It brings together 25 institutions from 16 European countries
with a budget of 15 million euros over five years. The new research
project is part of the EU Environment and Health Strategy (SCALE),
launched in 2003 and it will also feed into the ongoing debate surrounding
the REACH proposal to assess and possibly ban chemical substances
in the EU.
NewGeneris will look specifically into "maternal exposure
during pregnancy to carcinogenic and immunotoxic chemicals"
and their effect on young children after they are born. To assess
chemical exposure, the researchers will analyse blood and urine
samples from mothers and children taken across several 'bio banks'
in Norway, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Spain and Greece. The toxic
chemicals selected for further investigation include dioxins, PCBs
(Polychlorinated Biphenyl), ethanol (alcohol) and other substances
ingested by mothers or found in contaminated food, tobacco smoke
or polluted air.
Children Even More Vulnerable to Pesticides Than Previously
Believed
Researchers at the University of California recently warned that
newborn infants are as much as 65 to 164 times more vulnerable than
adults to a pair of common organophosphate agricultural pesticides,
such as chlorpyrifos and diazinon.
130 women and their babies were analysed for the protective levels
of a key enzyme (known as PON1) that normally helps detoxify the
class of organophosphate pesticides. When mothers are exposed to
chlorpyrifos and diazinon, previous research has shown that their
children are likely to suffer low birth weight, premature birth,
and other problems. Mothers with higher pesticide levels are more
likely to give birth earlier (similar to the effect of maternal
smoking), and their babies were more likely to have abnormal reflexes.
"Children are born with lower levels of our bodies' natural
defences against toxic pesticides," said Dr. Gina Solomon,
M.D., a physician and senior scientist at the Natural Resources
Defence Council (NRDC). "Unfortunately, the officials responsible
for keeping kids safe are ignoring the clear scientific evidence
confirming that we need stronger protection for the most vulnerable
among us."
Agrochemical prices expected to increase in 2006
A forecast by a UK market research company indicates that agrochemical
prices will continue to rise in 2006 as world oil and gas prices
remain at record levels. Raw materials, intermediates, packaging
and transport in the agrochemical industry rose throughout 2005
following significant rises in oil prices after 2004 and it all
indicates that this tendency will be maintained in 2006.
High-volume, low-cost agrochemicals are most at risk from price
rises as the narrow profit margins make them unable to absorb raw
material price rises. This is particularly the case where an energy
intensive production method is used, such as the glycine process
for glyphosate in which energy consumption accounts for at least
one-third of the overall active ingredient cost. The price of generic
glyphosate is expected to rise by 15/20% this season, compared with
an anticipated rise of around 5% in the price of Monsanto’s
proprietary brand of the herbicide Roundup.
3. News from PAN Europe partners
Misleading labelling of pesticide in Denmark
The Ecological Council from Denmark has observed that Bayer CropScience
Denmark was marketing the pesticide Euparen Multi with a misleading
label containing claims that it would improve the colour of apples:
“Euparen sprayings gives in addition a substantial colour
improvement on both red and yellow sorts of apples i.e. Jonagold
and smooth, nice fruits of Cox Orange.” Euparen is used as
a fungicide for the control of Botrytis (grey mould) on outdoor
crops such as apples, pears, currents and berries (strawberries
and raspberries, among others) with tolylfluanid as the active ingredient.
This type of label is in breach of the FAO Code of Conduct, adopted
in most countries. The Danish departmental order says that a pesticide
must not be marketed under circumstances that are likely to mislead
the users about the use of the pesticide. Therefore, the Ecological
Council asked the Danish Environmental Minister to order Bayer to
remove the misleading label.
The response from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
has timely and positive calling for the removal and modification
of the label from 2007 onwards. Furthermore, the Danish EPA recognised
that the label can be read in a way and to a purpose not covered
by the approval granted to the product.
In Denmark, the product has 14 days before harvest as the latest
time of application in apples. The same product is approved for
use in the UK, with only 7 days before harvest as the latest time
of application. Tolylfluanid residues are most commonly found in
grapes and cucumbers in Europe.
Newly unveiled UK National Pesticide Strategy delays
tackling vital health concerns
Pesticide Action Network UK has welcomed the publication of the
new UK National Strategy for Pesticides – “Pesticides
and the Environment: a strategy for the sustainable use of plant
protection products” but is disappointed at its failure to
include any consideration of the effects of agricultural pesticides
on public health at this stage.
The strategy was published on March 23rd by the Pesticides Safety
Directorate (PSD), an agency of the Department of Food and Rural
Affairs (Defra). The scope of the strategy is agricultural, amenity
and home and garden pesticides and does not extend to biocides or
veterinary medicines, in line with the European Commission’s
proposed directive on the sustainable use of pesticides. However,
the proposed directive does cover the impacts of pesticides on human
health, something which is explicitly ruled out of the UK strategy
for at least the next 12 months, when it will be reviewed. This
is despite a significant number of responses to the government’s
consultation on the strategy, held during 2005, that strongly recommended
the inclusion of health in its scope.
The National Strategy also excludes any action to reduce pesticide
residues in food. However, there is an action plan for minimising
residues in food that is being developed by the UK Food Standards
Agency (FSA), which is a government body independent from Defra,
or PSD. A consultation on the crop guides, which are part of the
FSA action plan, was also launched in March, but there appears to
be no link between the two. The crop guides are substantial documents
with a long list of potential actions that can be taken to reduce
the risk of residues. However, there is no consideration of the
potential effects of these actions on other adverse pesticide impacts
on health or the environment.
During the consultation on the National Strategy, the FSA asked
that their residue minimisation plan be brought within the National
Strategy to ensure that conflicts do not arise. Once again, departmental
politics seems to have won over common sense, and this request was
ignored. Since there does not appear to be the same implementation
route for the residues action plan (the crop guides are simply being
published for voluntary uptake by growers) it is likely that the
National Pesticides Strategy will dominate and there will be little
effort to reduce people’s exposure to pesticides from food.
PAN UK also believes that to achieve the objectives set out in
the National Strategy for sustainable farming, food and consumption
there has to be a plan for reducing the amount of pesticides that
are used in UK food production. “We are very pleased that
the government is addressing water and biodiversity, and is targeting
amenity and amateur users as well. But simply tackling the effects
of pesticides without getting to the root of the problem will put
huge demands on scarce resources and is unlikely to make the kind
of difference we need” said Clare Butler Ellis of PAN UK.
“We have to reduce our dependence on pesticides by finding
alternative ways of controlling pests and setting ourselves targets
for lowering pesticide use. Only then can we hope to achieve sustainable
food production”.
This PAN Europe Newsletter was compiled by Sofia
Parente and Sanja Treskic
Contributions are welcome from PAN Europe network members, PURE
supporters and individuals.
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