OPEN LETTER URGES BAYER TO WITHDRAW WORST PESTICIDES
The Coalition against Bayer Dangers network is coalling on Bayer to quit sales of all products which contain active ingredients in Class 1 of the World Health Organisation (WHO) classification of pesticides.
A safe use of class 1 pesticides is not possible - especially in countries of the South - because of poverty, illiteracy and other social conditions as well as tropical climatic conditions which do not permit the wearing of protective gear. The WHO estimates the number of people who are poisoned annually at three to 25 million. At least 40,000 people are killed accidentally by pesticides every year. The estimated number of unreported cases is much higher.
Under strong public pressure Bayer pulled several class 1 products from the market. These included methyl and ethyl parathion, monocrothophos, oxydemeton-methyl, azinphos-methyl, amitraz and trichlorphon. Only six months ago Bayer committed to end the distribution of the pesticide endosulfan by the end of 2010. The decision came after years of global campaigning against this persistent pesticide, which is linked to autism, birth defects and male reproductive harm, as well as deaths and acute injuries to farmers through direct contact. Fatalities could be reduced significantly by the cessation of the sale of ALL class I substances.
Read more at CBGnetwork.org
