Federal government considering ban on beet-pesticide

The end was almost silent: The approval for Chloridazon in the EU on 31. December 2018. No chemical company has submitted a request for a re-evaluation of the pesticide. Now, the trade must sell by the end of June, its remaining stocks. A year more time for farmers to repay their supplies. What is left is disposal required.

The pesticide, primarily used in the beet-growing has provoked in the past, repeatedly Controversial, even in Switzerland: It is long-lasting leaves degradation products in the (ground)water and is toxic to water organisms. Concerned water utilities urged, therefore, already in 2012 on a ban.

"May the devil is driven out with Beelzebub."André Olschewski, water Association

Now is likely to be your requirement a reality in Switzerland: Federal office for agriculture , Chloridazon in the second half of the year, in the Annex 10 of the plant protection products regulation – a gathering place for all of those pesticides are no longer authorised in the EU. Until today, there are landed 148 of the active ingredients, and all of them were taken in the course of this procedure, from the Swiss market, as the professionals of the agricultural Minister of Guy Parmelin hold.

André Olschewski from the drinking water Association speaks of a "good step". However, it is necessary to wait, whether and what other herbicides that may be ecotoxicologically more harmful, is now increasingly sold. "May the devil is driven out with Beelzebub." What the farmers will continue is unclear. The Association of Swiss vegetable producers need not respond to a request.

"Acute toxic risk"

a ban of Chloridazon relieves the pesticide problem, in the best case, show two yesterday studies published on behalf of the Federal government. Thus, small streams are heavily contaminated with plant protection products. The concentrations of individual substances were so high that for plants and animals in the water is an "acute toxic risk". Also Chloridazon was detected, but not in problematic concentrations.

The findings of the two studies is not new. He supported but findings from studies in the years 2012 and 2015, and he falls into a politically important Phase: next year, two people's desire to come to a vote. The drinking water Initiative, which will only allow those farmers subsidies, without the use of pesticides. On the other hand, the people's initiative for Switzerland without synthetic pesticides, which aims to ban the use of synthetic pesticides.

The Federal Council declines – such as the farmer's Association – both initiatives and instead relies on the national action plan on plant protection products. It is planned to promote Alternatives to chemical plant protection and to reduce the use of pesticides.

double load for fish

If the Federal Council takes this enough, is controversial – even in professional circles. The drinking water Association about keeping the plan of action for too little grip. This view of the Swiss fisheries Association (SFV). As a response to the new studies and the ongoing fish decline in Switzerland, he calls for a whole package of Measures, containing about a steering levy on pesticides, as well as a reinforced connection of the direct payments to environmental services. The fish were impacted by pesticides in the water twice, because the Animal would be decimated by the pesticides, and their habitat was poisoned, says SFA President and SP-Senate Roberto Zanetti. "We need firmer measures, and that is not without politics."

does not comply with the Federal demands, consider the fishermen to support the drinking water Initiative. Also, the drinking water Association of toying with it, should prepare the Parliament does not grip a counter-proposal. A preliminary decision falls the week after next. Then the national Council's Commission for economy and taxes, advises the desire of the two people.

(editing Tamedia)

Created: 03.04.2019, 09:40 PM