Dina Nadelini was working on Cabo Cabo Chrome When, suddenly, Panting. A trip to the hospital quickly resulted in a series of events that led her to lose her health, work, and with her home.
According to his doctor, the most likely reason was exposure to chemical fabrication known as Dormex, and is usually used as a plant regulator in South Africa, which is its active component, CyanideIt was described asVery dangerous by European Chemicals and Preparatory Agency (Echa) It has been banned in the European Union since 2009.
Nevertheless, Dormex is just one more than one Long listOf the very dangerous chemicals That is still produced on European lands and selling to the third countries. Foods processed abroad are imported with these chemicals for sale on European supermarket shelves.
Dina was one of the many stories that agricultural workers, health professionals and health shared in a conversation Popular Court of InsecticidesIt is celebrated in the heart of the world – Stellenbosch wine areaIn South Africa, from March 21 to 23.
Although it is not an official court, this community -led session provides space for those affected to share their certificates before expert judges examine complaints Violations of international lawIncluding human and environmental rights.
Agricultural workers in South Africa ask Europe to stop “toxins”
She asked for her message to Europe, she was a clear religion. As agricultural workers, we say enough, we don’t want more Pesticides in EuropeHe says, urging the bloc to “stop sending their skies. ” Exposure to pesticides In their lives from Pulmonary until Ovarian cancer Y Vision problems.
“If this is not good enough for the Europeans, why do you think it is for us?” Another agricultural worker, who wants to remain unidentified, says, adds that European consumers should know “the human reality behind Drinking wine“.
According to the African Center for Biodiversity, in South Africa It is still used legally 192 very dangerous insecticides57 of them are banned in the European Union. Some of them are nervous Sam or the causes of cancerousness, while others are a sharp toxic toxic.
Women, the most harmful of pesticides
Those who are in the first line of exposure are agricultural workers and their families who live in the vicinity of the vaporization that exist in the slightest step of complexity Inequality in wealth and power From the country, rooted in the past The apartheid.
Through unstable contracts, excessive loads of work, and workers in the field of wage and protection hardly, agricultural workers have a voice in the management of these farms, It is directed by the wealthy land owners “Poers” (farmers).
The most exposed to women,Biological is more likely to be exposed to pesticides YTwice In South Africa societies, according to Women’s project in South Africa (WFP), a non -governmental organization that protects Kabo Western and Northern workers.
Throughout the court, the workers confirmed this over and over again They were not provided with personal protection equipmentMany have witnessed that women usually wear napkins to cover their face while working. Others claimed not to reach Running water no clarity In chrome farms.
The prohibition of pesticide exports is “a double moral proud”
Attempts to align commercial standards in the spotlight in Brussels, with the publication of a new road map European Union Policy for Agriculture Who makes plans to restrict food imports from the third countries with pesticide waste in Europe. This is not the first time that the European Union has suggested of this kind, because for years, it is rumored that the committee can Stop export banned pesticides.
But the plans face the company Opposition Of agricultural business groups, including pesticide pressure set CroplifeThis for a long time confirms that these Pesticides It is necessary in certain circumstances.
“The productive facts of South African agriculture differ tremendously, so it is difficult to compare with those in countries and other regions,” Croplify South Africa said in a statement after the court. It confirms that different crops, pests and climatic conditions require “different solutions and pesticides at different times.”
propagandaThis argument has no weight in relation to the United Nations Special Rapporteur for toxic Human Rights and Human Rights, Dr. Marcus Aurelana. “The human body is the same everywhere; What is different is the lack of government institutions’ ability to deal with the risks imposed on people in weakness, “he says, describes it as “A blatant double standard”.
International Protection, “Mark Badd” practice
South AfricaIt has legal systems that regulate the use of these chemicals and work to gradually eliminate insecticides in the very dangerous insects in the near future, but the participants in the court have argued that it often The regulations are not applied. At the same time, agricultural workers usually ignore their rights or hesitate to defend them.
For Orellana, from the United Nations, the argument that governments are sovereign to make their own decisions “confirms (the lack of capabilities in many developing countries, if not mostly, participating in the international trade of insecticides” and excludes the issue of “the issue” issue ” corruption Corporation is captured by government institutions that make these decisions. “
In general phrases, called an international treaty Rotterdam Agreement It is designed to enhance enlightened decisions by countries that are trading with dangerous chemicals.
propagandaBut for Andrea Rohar, head of the Environmental Health Department at Cape University, the agreement is very stressful that it is not effective. “By the time when pesticides are included in the list, it is usually outdated,” he says, adds that the agreement is “more exercise to celebrate” than the real protection mechanism.
By noting that there is no African country that manufactures its pesticide components, Rawzhar argues that the ban on the European Union will be “great assistance” for South Africa. “There are alternatives to these pesticides”He states, and he says that such a ban from exports can be a “incentive” towards Agricultural systems additional continuous.
As for the PMA, Kara Macai Crares, every day the European Union continues with production and export to South Africa from these banned chemicals before Ue Another person is “Plots of daily poisoning with pesticides of workers and farms” It is reported that “we must end this toxic trade; it argues the opposite that reveals racist and colonial thought.”
At the same time, the expert judges rule Popular Court It will evaluate the evidence provided by Dina and the rest of the agricultural workers, before they are presented Judgment and legal advice Within a few months.
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