ban as campaign and monocultures2
TRANSCRIPT
End Poison Rain
Ban Aerial Spraying in the Philippines!
What is aerial spraying? form of pesticide application that uses a small
airplane or helicopter used by the banana plantations in Mindanao
since 1970s targets sigatoka, a fungus that attacks the
leaves of banana plants and causes premature aging of fruits
mixture sprayed usually composed of pesticide, water, the oil or sticker and emulsifier
in the Philippines, only fungicides are allowed by FPA to be sprayed aerially
The chemicals sprayed is inherently poison Pesticides are
designed to kill Even if registered by
the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, still have ill effects on non-target organisms
All banned pesticides were once allowed for use
Why is there a need to ban aerial spraying?
Pesticide Poisoning Victims in India Pesticide Poisoning Victims in India
Pesticide Poisoning Victims in MindanaoPesticide Poisoning Victims in Mindanao
Fungicides sprayed and their health effects
Active Ingredient
Product Name/Brand
Documented health effects
Azoxystrobin Bankit 250 EC Highly toxic to fish and invertebrates; not allowed for use in Canada
Biterthanol Baycor 300EC Possible source of birth defects; not allowed for use in US farms
Propiconazole Bumper 250 EC Possibly carcinogenic/cancer-causing; contains reproductive toxins
Tridemorph Calixin 750 EC Causes birth defects; not allowed for use in Canada and UK
Mancozeb Dithane 448 F Carcinogenic; contains reproductive toxins; may cause birth defects; suspected to disrupt endocrine functions
Chlorotalonil Daconil 720 F Carcinogenic; highly toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates; bio- accumulates in fish
Fungicides sprayed and their health effects
Active Ingredient
Product Name/Brand
Documented health effects
Maneb Maneb 80 WP Causes birth defects; probable source of carcinogens; potential source of reproductive toxins
Diteconazole Sico 250 EC No available data
Propiconazole Tilt 250 EC Possibly carcinogenic; contains reproductive toxins
Mancozeb Vondozeb Plus 80 WP
Potential cause of birth defects
Thiophanate Methyl
Topsin M 70 WP Very highly toxic to catfish; toxic to earthworms; causes damage to thyroid glands, producing hyperthyroidism
Aerial spraying increases the spray drift increasing toxic exposure predictable percentage of spray drift can reach to 3.2
km from the treatment site -- USEPA 80 km – in hilly terrain under windy conditions – a study in
central Washington
contaminates open/exposed bodies of water (rivers, wetlands, and springs) where people get drinking water
contaminates the roofs of houses where people usually collect rainwater for domestic use
contaminates people, animals, other crops
Why is there a need to ban aerial spraying?
Common occurrence. Children on the way to school is sprayed by pesticides.Subasta, Davao City. June 2006. Photo by Dags Magaway
Poor regulations on aerial spraying; lack of enforcement; lack of monitoring Regulations for aerial spraying not regularly
monitored by Fertilizers and Pesticides Authority because of lack of personnel and budget
No environmental health monitoring Vegetative buffer zones near schools, rivers,
public roads, and houses, not complied with by banana companies
In Alaska, the current required buffers to protect drinking water sources is 66 meters
Proposed buffer zones by different concerned organizations is >1 mile around drinking water.
Why is there a need to ban aerial spraying?
Yes Dr. Romy Quijano; Dr. Hernandez, et al Dr. Lynn Panganiban (Head of National
Poison Management and Control Center and Dr. N. Maramba (UP College of Medicine), et al
Kalusugan Alang sa Bayan (KAABAY) DOH study, 2006
Are there local and international studies that support the ban position?
Drs. Quijano,Hernandez, et al 11 out 24 individuals examined and
water samples from hand-pump well (source of drinking water in the community) were positive for ETU – ethylenethiourea (metabolite of mancozeb)
A spectrum of medical complaints and symptoms that is similar, if not identical to the symptoms of acute pesticide poisoning
Occurrence of diseases atypical in quality – severe anemia in young males and blood dyscrasias
The growth of plant and marine life were stunted since pesticide exposure;
Residents related that coconut trees that used to be their livelihood stopped bearing fruits. Raising pigs, chickens and other animals also proved to be very difficult because they could die when spraying occurs;
Meanwhile, fishermen complain about the regular occurrence of fish kills and scant catch as ever since the plantation started its operations
Toxic stories Kamukhaan, Digos Davao del
Sur
Toxic stories Kamukhaan, Digos Davao del Sur
Since 1980s, pesticides and herbicides are applied by banana plantation daily
Fungicide sprayed once or twice a month Residents nearby complain of strong and odorous
fumes every time aerial spraying is done Residents experience suffocation, weakness,
nausea, painful stinging of the eyes and itching Residents vulnerable to fever, vomiting, cough and
body aches, asthma, anemia, goiter, and cancer Residents believe frequent deaths in the village due
to these illnesses related to pesticide exposure
Toxic stories Kamukhaan, Digos Davao del Sur
Many cases of still birth Many cases of children with abnormalities
such as cleft palate and severe skin diseases Many cases of impaired mental development
among children Children have stunted growth, delayed
development of secondary sexual characteristics, suffer wasting and have mental deficiencies
Many residents exhibited signs and symptoms of tremors and palpitations suggestive of endocrine disruption
Clamor to ban aerial spraying
AS stopped in General Santos City in the 1980s
Bukidnon ban in 2001 North Cotabato ban in 2004 Davao City ban in 2007 Davao del Sur, Compostela Valley,
Davao del Norte residents clamor to be spared from poison rain!
From City Hall to the Courtroom
Plantations filed a case in court questioning the validity and constitutionality of the ordinance.
RTC upholds the validity of the ordinance CA reverses RTC ruling and declares the
ordinance unconstitutional
Pagpakita og Kusog sa Korte
Landmark case
Community assertion of their right to live, right to health and a healthy environment vs. business interest
Power and obligation of the LGU to protect public welfare vs corporate greed
Aerial spraying is just the tip of the iceberg . . .
The bigger problem is
corporate-led plantation style
agricultural system of
monocropping
Environmental costs Contamination of drinking water sources
-- groundwater and surface water Soil degradation Soil erosion and sedimentation of water Flashfloods Loss of biodiversity Global warming
Corporate-led agricultural system of monocropping is the problem
Health and food safety costs Pesticide poisoning in plantation
areas (Dr. Quijano study) Food contamination – pesticide found
in fish sample in Tugbok Food security costs
Massive conversion of actual and potential food production areas especially rice, corn, vegetable lands
Corporate-led agricultural system of monocropping is the problem
Circumvents agrarian reform Reversal of land access & control under
agrarian reform Enhances & facilitates corporate control
over the country’s agricultural and food production systems
Labor issues Labor contracting only widely practiced
in plantation areas Questionable contracts
Corporate-led agricultural system of monocropping is the problem
Policy issues MTPDP – 2 million hectares for
plantations, 1 million hectares of which in Mindanao
DENR Administrative Order 2003-30 New NCIP regulation on FPIC
Corporate-led agricultural system of monocropping is the problem
Who are against the ban?Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association AMS Group of Companies, Inc (Sorianos of Mindanao) Sumifru Philippines (Japanese MNC) ANFLO Group of Companies (Floirendos) Alip River Development and Export Corporation Del Monte Fresh Produce Philippines (MNC) La Frutera Incorporated (MNC) Lapanday Foods Corporation (Lorenzos) Hijo Resources Corporation Diamond Farms Inc Dizon Group of Companies (Dizons) Marsman-Drysdale Group of Companies (MNC) Nader and Ebrahim Hassan Philippines Saranggani Agricultural Company Inc (Domiguez) Nova Vista Management and Development Corporation Dole Stanfilco (MNC) Tristar Group of Banana Companies (Ayalas of Davao)
Croplife – pesticide companies BASF Bayer Cropscience Dow Agrosciences Dupont FMC Monsanto Syngenta Sumitomo
Who are against the ban?
Common occurrence. Children on the way to school is sprayed by pesticides.Subasta, Davao City. June 2006. Photo by Dags Magaway
As the government dilly-dallies and beyond the legal and technical issues;
The reality is, people in Mindanao continue to be sprayed with poison from airplanes.
Thank you!
Please visitwww.dirtybananas.org And sign the on-line petition