Colombia halts aerial spraying of glyphosate

Concerned about unknown health and economic impacts on local cities, a group of indigenous and Afro-descendant communities from the Nariño region of Colombia succeeded in stopping the national glyphosate fumigation program set to re-start this year.

The group filed a tutela—an action providing immediate protection of one’s constitutional rights when they may be threatened or violated by an action or omission of any pubic authority. The Supreme Court of Pasto suspended the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) in January.

The plaintiffs cited results from a study from the Center for Reproductive Rights, disclosing harm to reproductive healthy from glyphosate herbicides. The study found negative impacts on hormone levels and reproductive tissue, as well as a link to miscarriage.

The glyphosate aerial fumigation program was created 20 years ago to contain growth of coca crops that supply Colombia’s illegal cocaine trade. Though suspended in 2015 from health concerns, resurging coca cultivation prompted a reinstatement.

The fumigation controversy precipitated a tragedy last August, when Afro-Colombian agroecology advocate Patrocinio Bonilla, a.k.a Patrón, was murdered in a killing linked to his opposition to the glyphosate aerial spraying.

Source: Sustainable Pulse

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https://sustainablepulse.com/2021/01/21/colombian-court-suspends-re-start-of-glyphosate-aerial-fumigation-program/#.YAnpfthKiUl

Organic & Non-GMO Insights February 2021