Paraquat in the dock

Trade unions and green groups are taking the European Commission to court over its refusal to ban a pesticide they claim is potentially fatal.

The coalition alleges that the commission bowed to "an unprecedented lobbying effort by manufacturer Syngenta" in authorising the pesticide known as paraquat.

They say this authorisation violates the European convention for the protection of human rights, the European Union treaty and secondary EU law.

The pesticide is alleged to have potentially fatal consequences for agricultural workers exposed to it and to be linked to Parkinson's disease.

A spokesman for Syngenta refused to comment on the lobbying accusations, saying "this is an issue between two parties and we are not one of them".

"Paraquat was authorised after extensive scientific assesment involving all the member states."

"I can do nothing but remind you of this procedure."

But Ron Oswald of food and agriculture workers union IUF, part of the coalition presenting the legal challenge, said “Paraquat has no place in an agriculture which is socially and environmentally sustainable". 

“The EU must assume global responsibility for its decisions in this area.”

John Hontelez  of the European environmental bureau (EEB) added “The European Commission has ignored publicly available scientific evidence of the hazards associated with paraquat… That is why this lawsuit is necessary”.

And the move has been welcomed by Greens in the European parliament.

MEP Paul Lannoye said “Paraquat has been classified as highly toxic by the World Health Organisation, as it can lead to irreversible intoxications if not used properly”.

“It is unacceptable that the commission's standing committee has given in to pressure of from the industry and has violated the principles from consumer protection in the European Union.”

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