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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
Date: 25 May 93 15:18 PDT
Subject: PANUPS: No More Delaney Exemptions
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=============================================================
  PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=============================================================

EPA: No More Exemptions for Carcinogenic "Delaney" Pesticides

May 25, 1993

	The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced
in early May that it will no longer allow emergency exemptions
for pesticides that violate the Delaney Clause, which prohibits
cancer-causing pesticides and additives in processed foods. This
new policy is the first significant step toward implementation of
the July 1992 Ninth Circuit court decision in Les v. Reilly,
which upheld a strict interpretation of the Delaney Clause. The
court ruled that EPA has no discretion to establish pesticide
tolerances that allow residues in processed foods at levels
greater than in raw foods if the pesticide has been shown to
induce cancer in animals, no matter how small the risk. (See
PANUPS, February 23, 1993.)
	The new EPA policy led to the immediate revocation of
five emergency exemptions, for cyromazine on potatoes and
tomatoes, fosetyl-al on hops, iprodione on apples, and
triadimefon on tomatoes. EPA also announced that emergency
exemption requests already received for acephate, bifenthrin,
cyromazine, bromoxynil, fosetyl-al, iprodione, pendamethalin, and
permethrin would be denied. All these pesticides remain
registered for other uses. Under the new policy, EPA will not
grant emergency exemptions if, based on current data, it is
likely the pesticide would meet the Delaney clause standard of
inducing cancer in animals.
	Under Section 18 of the the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is authorized to
grant limited emergency use exemptions for pesticides that have
not met its requirements for registration, or for which
tolerances have not been set in foods, if there is an "urgent,
non-routine situation that requires the use of a pesticide(s)." A
1991 Government Accounting Office (GAO) report charged that the
granting of numerous repeat exemptions under Section 18 provides
for potential abuse of the program. (See Pesticides: EPAUs Repeat
Emergency ExemptionUs May Provide Potential for Abuse, July 23,
1991, GAO/T-RCED-91-83.)
	In making the announcement, EPA Administrator Carol
Browner stated that the new policy "highlights the need for new
legislation that addresses food safety." She also reinforced
previous statements that the carcinogenic pesticides at issue
"pose only a negligible risk to public health." However, the
National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides (NCAMP)
counters that a negligible risk standard is not protective of
public health because of uncertainties in risk assessment, and
because of its failure to protect sensitive populations and
consider the reality of multiple exposure to carcinogens. NCAMP
advocates phasing out cancer-causing pesticides. 

Source: NCAMP's Technical Report, May 1993.

For a copy of EPA's May 7 announcement and related documents, 
contact Margie Fehrenbach (H7506C), Communications Branch, 
EPA, 401 M St. SW, Washington D.C. 20460; phone (703) 305-
5017.

Contacts: Jay Feldman, NCAMP, 701 E St. SE, Washington, D.C. 
20003; phone (202) 543-5450; fax (202) 543-4791; Internet e-mail:
ncamp@igc.apc.org. 
Al Meyerhoff, Natural Resources Defense
Council, 71 Stevenson, Suite 1825; San Francisco, CA 94105; phone
(415) 777-0220; fax (415) 495-5996; Internet e-mail: 
nrdccalif@igc.apc.org. 
=============================================================
The Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS) is a
pesticide-related news service posted weekly by the Pesticide
Action Network North America Regional Center (PANNA RC).  PANNA
RC is located at 116 New Montgomery Street, #810, San Francisco,
CA 94105.Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253.  To receive a
standard information packet about the Pesticide Action Network
send a short e-mail message to panna-info@igc.apc.org. 
=============================================================


From panna@igc.apc.org Wed May 26 23:50:13 1993
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
Date: 26 May 93 15:30 PDT
Subject: PANUPS: Columbian Flower Worker
To: Recipients of conference "panna.panups" <panna.panups@conf.igc.apc.org>
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=============================================================
  PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=============================================================

Columbian Flower Worker Dismissed From Job Following U.S. 
Tour

May 26, 1993

	Sibilina Torres, a worker in Colombia's flower industry
for approximately 17 years, toured the United States this spring
as part of a campaign to alert U.S. government, human rights
groups, labor and environmental organizations, (including the
staff of Pesticide Action Network North America Regional Center)
and others to the dangerous working and living conditions faced
by those who plant, raise, harvest, and prepare cut flowers for
the international market. Upon her return to Colombia, she
received a notice of termination of employment. Workers' rights
advocates in Colombia and throughout the world express concern
that this was a retaliatory act by Torres' employer of many
years, Floresa S.A.
	Torres' presentation to groups throughout the U.S. 
earlier this year highlighted serious abuses of workers within
this multimillion-dollar export industry, including low wages,
lack of job security, and many forms of exposure to dangerous
pesticides. When pesticides are sprayed in the large greenhouses
where roses, chrysanthemums, and carnations are grown, workers
report that they remain inside to meet production quotas. 
According to the Colombian Human Rights Committee, nearly two
thirds of Colombian flower workers have symptoms of
pesticide-related illnesses, including headaches, nausea, eye and
skin problems. Spontaneous abortions and children with congenital
problems such as limb malformations and retarded growth are
common among flower workers. Many of the pesticides in common use
in Colombia are banned or severely restricted in the U.S. and/or
the European Community due to their high toxicity.
	Torres reports that Colombian flower workers,
approximately 80% of whom are women, are commonly dismissed from
employment by the age of 35, without medical care or means of
supporting themselves and their families.  What limited
monitoring of workers' health exists, such as blood testing for
impaired cholinesterase, is used by industry to identify and
dismiss workers who may be at risk of illness.  Workers do not
generally receive the results of these tests, nor do they receive
follow-up care.
	In addition to the direct hazards of working with and
around highly toxic pesticides, flower workers and other
residents of rural areas in the flower-producing regions of
Bogota are further exposed through groundwater contamination from
flower-farm runoff. Irrigation for the expanding flower industry
has placed a strain on the water system supplying urban as well
as outlying areas of Bogota, with underground aquifers drying up
and inadequate treatment facilities to process the volume of
water used. Many workers live in structures without running
water, forcing them to dig crude wells to provide water for
drinking, washing, and cooking.  The risks to flower-worker
families with young children are compounded by the dangers of
open wells, contaminated water, and inadequate sanitation. 

ACTION URGED

	The Colombian Human Rights Committee and Colombian 
Support Network urge letters, telegrams, and faxes to 
officials in the Colombian Ministry of Labor, as well as the 
President of Colombia and the director of the Presidential 
Council on Human Rights, calling attention to the conditions 
facing flower workers and the injustice of firing Sibilina 
Torres for her international efforts.

Dr. Rafael Carbonell, Director General, Ministerio de 
Trabajo, Calle 20 8-18, Santa Fe de Bogota, Colombia.  Fax: 
57-1-281-5088.
Dr. Carlos Vincente de Roux, Consejeria Presidencial para los 
Derechos Humanos, Calle 7, 6-54, Santa Fe de Bogota, 
Colombia.Fax: 57-1-284-2186
Presidente Cesar de Gaviria, Palacio de Nario, Santa Fe de 
Bogota, Colombia. Fax: 57-1-286-7434

	Letters are also recommended to the administrative 
officers of Floresa, S.A. and the Colombian Flower 
Association (an industry association):

Dra. Juana Maria Unda, Asocoloflores, Carrera 9 90-53, Santa 
Fe de Bogota, Colombia
Fernando Guzman Posada, Gerente Administratativo, A.A. 
240477, Santa Fe de Bogota, Colombia.

	US citizens are also requested to contact their US 
Senators and Congressional Representatives, urging support 
for Circle of Poison Prevention legislation to prohibit the 
export of banned and severely restricted pesticides.

Sources/Contacts: Colombian Support Network, Box 1505, 
Madison, WI, USA. Contact: Cecilia Zarate-Laun, phone: (608) 
273-4767, fax: (608) 255-6621
Colombian Human Rights Committee, Box 3130, Washington, DC, 
USA, 20010. Contact: Charlie Roberts, phone (202) 462-8176, 
fax (202) 462-4724.
CHIBCHA, Colombian Human Rights Information Committee, Box 
40165, San Francisco, CA.  Contact: Natalia Lopez, phone 
(415) 282-6914 or Tico Arenas, phone (510) 655-3290.
 
For more information on pesticide abuses in Colombia, contact 
the Pesicide Action Network regional center for Latin 
America:RAPALMIRA, Dra. Elsa Nivia, Apartado Aereo 1440, 
Palmira (Valle), Colombia.
=============================================================
The Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS) is 
a pesticide-related news service posted weekly by the 
Pesticide Action Network North America Regional Center 
(PANNA RC). PANNA RC is located at 116 New Montgomery 
Street, #810, San Francisco, CA 94105.Tel: (415) 541-
9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. To receive a standard 
information packet about the Pesticide Action Network 
send a short e-mail message to panna-info@igc.apc.org.
=============================================================


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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
Date: 03 Jun 93 15:10 PDT
Subject: PANUPS: 1993 Chart Release
To: Recipients of conference "panna.panups" <panna.panups@conf.igc.apc.org>
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=============================================================
  PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=============================================================

PAN's "Dirty Dozen" Chart Documents Growing Rejection of 
Hazardous Pesticides

June 6, 1993

	On June 5, Pesticide Action Network (PAN) International 
participants are releasing a scorecard tracking bans and 
restrictions on a list of pesticides targeted by PAN. The 
1993 "Demise of the Dirty Dozen" chart highlights where the 
"Dirty Dozen" pesticides are banned, unregistered, or 
severely restricted in 78 countries. PAN is releasing the 
chart on June 5 to mark the eighth anniversary of the Dirty 
Dozen Campaign. By publishing the chart biennially, PAN 
tracks increasing rejection of the Dirty Dozen pesticides by 
governments all over the world. 
	According to the 1993 "Demise of the Dirty Dozen" chart, 
the most widely banned, unregistered, or severely restricted 
Dirty Dozen pesticides are: dieldrin (68 countries), DDT (66 
countries), aldrin (61 countries), and endrin (61 countries). 
For these same four pesticides, the 1991 edition of the chart 
listed 59, 56, 51, and 55 regulatory actions, respectively 
(among 70 countries).
	PAN has targeted the Dirty Dozen pesticides since 1985 
because of their demonstrated health and environmental 
hazards, particularly under typical developing country 
conditions. Although these countries account for only about 
20% of the world's pesticide use, 99% of pesticide-related 
deaths occur in developing countries, according to the 
British Journal of Industrial Medicine. The Dirty Dozen 
pesticides are: aldicarb (Temik), camphechlor (Toxaphene), 
chlordane and heptachlor, chlordimeform, DBCP, DDT, the 
"drins" (aldrin, dieldrin, endrin), EDB, HCH/BHC and lindane, 
paraquat, parathion and methyl parathion, pentachlorophenol, 
and 2,4,5-T.

	The chart and related materials are available from 
PANNA:

-- The 1993 "Demise of the Dirty Dozen" chart (11" x 17" 
poster, in English) ($3)
-- A forthcoming French translation of the 1993 chart (being 
published in cooperation with PAN Francophone Africa, 
should be available by late summer) ($3)
-- A 1992 Spanish-language chart (published in cooperation 
with PAN Latin America) ($3)
-- Chart background information: an extensive table providing 
additional details for the regulatory actions listed on the 
chart, including dates, stated reasons, and citations ($6)

	The following countries are included on the 1993 chart. 
If your country is not included on this list, and/or you are 
interested in providing updated information for your country 
for the 1995 edition of the chart, please contact PANNA.

Argentina 	Australia
Austria 	Bangladesh
Belgium 	Belize
Bolivia 	Brazil
Bulgaria 	Burkina Faso
Canada 		Chad
Chile 		China
Colombia 	Costa Rica
Cuba 		Cyprus
Denmark 	Dominica
Dominican Republic 	Ecuador
Egypt 		El Salvador
European Community 	Fiji
Finland 	France
Germany 	Greece
Guatemala 	Honduras
Hong Kong 	Hungary
India 		Indonesia
Ireland 	Israel
Italy 		Ivory Coast
Japan 		Kenya
Korea 		Liechtenstein
Luxembourg 	Malaysia
Mauritania 	Mauritius
Mexico 		Netherlands
New Zealand 	Nicaragua
Norway 		Pakistan
Panama 		Papua New Guinea
Peru 		Philippines
Poland 		Portugal
Santa Lucia 	Singapore
South Africa 	Spain
Sri Lanka 	Sudan
Surinam 	Sweden
Switzerland 	Thailand
Togo 		Tonga
Turkey 		United Kingdom
United States 	Uruguay
Venezuela 	Zimbabwe

Source/contact: PANNA.
=============================================================
The Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS) is a 
pesticide-related news service posted weekly by the Pesticide 
Action Network North America Regional Center (PANNA RC). 
PANNA RC is located at 116 New Montgomery Street, #810, San 
Francisco, CA 94105.Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. 
To receive a standard information packet about the Pesticide 
Action Network send a short e-mail message to panna-
info@igc.apc.org.
=============================================================


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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
Date: 04 Jun 93 15:59 PDT
Subject: PANUPS: Pesticide Use Reduction
To: Recipients of conference "panna.panups" <panna.panups@conf.igc.apc.org>
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=============================================================
  PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=============================================================

WWF and Public Voice Call for National Plan to Reduce 
Pesticide Use

June 4, 1993

	On May 20, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Public Voice 
for Food and Health Policy called on the U.S. government to 
adopt an ambitious national strategy to reduce dependence on 
pesticides and other agrichemicals.  The groups released 
reports indicating that U.S. agrichemical use is rising, 
while European countries are achieving significant reductions 
in pesticide use.  
	Polly Hoppin, director of WWF-US's agricultural 
pollution prevention project, called on the Clinton 
Administration "to promote bold policies and programs that 
give farmers the tools they need to minimize their use of 
agricultural chemicals."
	Public Voice's report, Agrichemicals in America, 
examines use of pesticides and other agrichemicals in the 
U.S. from 1966 and 1991.  The report demonstrates that 
overall U.S. agrichemical use has increased 125% in the past 
25 years, despite growing public concern over the health and 
environmental risks posed by agrichemicals.  A national 
opinion poll conducted by Public Voice in March showed that 
60% of the public believe it is very important that farmers 
switch to farming techniques that rely primarily on natural 
methods and use chemicals only as a last resort.
	WWF's report, Pesticide Reduction Programmes in Denmark, 
the Netherlands, and Sweden, analyzes these countries' 
ambitious national plans to reduce pesticide use by targeted 
amounts over specific timelines (see PAN's Global Pesticide 
Campaigner, November 1992).  The WWF report finds that 
providing farmers with incentives to rely on alternative pest 
management leads to substantial reductions in pesticide use 
and the associated risks.  Polly Hoppin stated, "We believe 
the United States can find ways to learn from the European 
example; by making reduced agrichemical use a top priority, 
integrating the efforts of USDA and EPA, and encouraging 
farmers to reduce use by regenerating biodiversity on their 
farms."
	WWF and Public Voice urged the Clinton Administration to 
develop a national strategy for reducing dependence on 
agrichemicals that commits the U.S. to:

--Establish a commission to set goals for profitable 
reductions in pesticide and fertilizer use and to propose 
policies and programs to achieve them.

--Redirect federal programs to reduce reliance on chemicals.

--Develop a national pesticide use reporting program.

--Fully fund programs in the 1990 Farm Bill that promote 
environmentally beneficial agriculture.

Sources/contacts:  Tricia Obester, Public Voice for Food and 
Health Policy, 1001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 522, 
Washington, D.C. 20036; phone (202) 659-5930; fax (202) 659-
3683; Abby Spring, World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th St. NW, 
Washington, D.C. 20037; phone (202) 778-9510; fax (202) 861-
8378.
=============================================================
The Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS) is a 
pesticide-related news service posted weekly by the Pesticide 
Action Network North America Regional Center (PANNA RC). 
PANNA RC is located at 116 New Montgomery Street, #810, San 
Francisco, CA 94105.Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. 
To receive a standard information packet about the Pesticide 
Action Network send a short e-mail message to panna-
info@igc.apc.org.
=============================================================


From panna@igc.apc.org Sun Jun  6 23:48:08 1993
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
Date: 04 Jun 93 15:59 PDT
Subject: PANUPS: Pesticide Use Reduction
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=============================================================
  PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=============================================================

WWF and Public Voice Call for National Plan to Reduce 
Pesticide Use

June 4, 1993

	On May 20, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Public Voice 
for Food and Health Policy called on the U.S. government to 
adopt an ambitious national strategy to reduce dependence on 
pesticides and other agrichemicals.  The groups released 
reports indicating that U.S. agrichemical use is rising, 
while European countries are achieving significant reductions 
in pesticide use.  
	Polly Hoppin, director of WWF-US's agricultural 
pollution prevention project, called on the Clinton 
Administration "to promote bold policies and programs that 
give farmers the tools they need to minimize their use of 
agricultural chemicals."
	Public Voice's report, Agrichemicals in America, 
examines use of pesticides and other agrichemicals in the 
U.S. from 1966 and 1991.  The report demonstrates that 
overall U.S. agrichemical use has increased 125% in the past 
25 years, despite growing public concern over the health and 
environmental risks posed by agrichemicals.  A national 
opinion poll conducted by Public Voice in March showed that 
60% of the public believe it is very important that farmers 
switch to farming techniques that rely primarily on natural 
methods and use chemicals only as a last resort.
	WWF's report, Pesticide Reduction Programmes in Denmark, 
the Netherlands, and Sweden, analyzes these countries' 
ambitious national plans to reduce pesticide use by targeted 
amounts over specific timelines (see PAN's Global Pesticide 
Campaigner, November 1992).  The WWF report finds that 
providing farmers with incentives to rely on alternative pest 
management leads to substantial reductions in pesticide use 
and the associated risks.  Polly Hoppin stated, "We believe 
the United States can find ways to learn from the European 
example; by making reduced agrichemical use a top priority, 
integrating the efforts of USDA and EPA, and encouraging 
farmers to reduce use by regenerating biodiversity on their 
farms."
	WWF and Public Voice urged the Clinton Administration to 
develop a national strategy for reducing dependence on 
agrichemicals that commits the U.S. to:

--Establish a commission to set goals for profitable 
reductions in pesticide and fertilizer use and to propose 
policies and programs to achieve them.

--Redirect federal programs to reduce reliance on chemicals.

--Develop a national pesticide use reporting program.

--Fully fund programs in the 1990 Farm Bill that promote 
environmentally beneficial agriculture.

Sources/contacts:  Tricia Obester, Public Voice for Food and 
Health Policy, 1001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 522, 
Washington, D.C. 20036; phone (202) 659-5930; fax (202) 659-
3683; Abby Spring, World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th St. NW, 
Washington, D.C. 20037; phone (202) 778-9510; fax (202) 861-
8378.
=============================================================
The Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS) is a 
pesticide-related news service posted weekly by the Pesticide 
Action Network North America Regional Center (PANNA RC). 
PANNA RC is located at 116 New Montgomery Street, #810, San 
Francisco, CA 94105.Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. 
To receive a standard information packet about the Pesticide 
Action Network send a short e-mail message to panna-
info@igc.apc.org.
=============================================================


From panna@igc.apc.org Sun Jun  6 23:49:08 1993
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	id AA03782; Fri, 4 Jun 93 22:51:51 EDT
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Reply-To: Conference "panna.panups" <panna.panups@conf.igc.apc.org>
From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
Date: 04 Jun 93 15:59 PDT
Subject: PANUPS: Pesticide Use Reduction
To: Recipients of conference "panna.panups" <panna.panups@conf.igc.apc.org>
Message-Id: <1803300024%igc.apc.org@igc.apc.org>
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=============================================================
  PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=============================================================

WWF and Public Voice Call for National Plan to Reduce 
Pesticide Use

June 4, 1993

	On May 20, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Public Voice 
for Food and Health Policy called on the U.S. government to 
adopt an ambitious national strategy to reduce dependence on 
pesticides and other agrichemicals.  The groups released 
reports indicating that U.S. agrichemical use is rising, 
while European countries are achieving significant reductions 
in pesticide use.  
	Polly Hoppin, director of WWF-US's agricultural 
pollution prevention project, called on the Clinton 
Administration "to promote bold policies and programs that 
give farmers the tools they need to minimize their use of 
agricultural chemicals."
	Public Voice's report, Agrichemicals in America, 
examines use of pesticides and other agrichemicals in the 
U.S. from 1966 and 1991.  The report demonstrates that 
overall U.S. agrichemical use has increased 125% in the past 
25 years, despite growing public concern over the health and 
environmental risks posed by agrichemicals.  A national 
opinion poll conducted by Public Voice in March showed that 
60% of the public believe it is very important that farmers 
switch to farming techniques that rely primarily on natural 
methods and use chemicals only as a last resort.
	WWF's report, Pesticide Reduction Programmes in Denmark, 
the Netherlands, and Sweden, analyzes these countries' 
ambitious national plans to reduce pesticide use by targeted 
amounts over specific timelines (see PAN's Global Pesticide 
Campaigner, November 1992).  The WWF report finds that 
providing farmers with incentives to rely on alternative pest 
management leads to substantial reductions in pesticide use 
and the associated risks.  Polly Hoppin stated, "We believe 
the United States can find ways to learn from the European 
example; by making reduced agrichemical use a top priority, 
integrating the efforts of USDA and EPA, and encouraging 
farmers to reduce use by regenerating biodiversity on their 
farms."
	WWF and Public Voice urged the Clinton Administration to 
develop a national strategy for reducing dependence on 
agrichemicals that commits the U.S. to:

--Establish a commission to set goals for profitable 
reductions in pesticide and fertilizer use and to propose 
policies and programs to achieve them.

--Redirect federal programs to reduce reliance on chemicals.

--Develop a national pesticide use reporting program.

--Fully fund programs in the 1990 Farm Bill that promote 
environmentally beneficial agriculture.

Sources/contacts:  Tricia Obester, Public Voice for Food and 
Health Policy, 1001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 522, 
Washington, D.C. 20036; phone (202) 659-5930; fax (202) 659-
3683; Abby Spring, World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th St. NW, 
Washington, D.C. 20037; phone (202) 778-9510; fax (202) 861-
8378.
=============================================================
The Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS) is a 
pesticide-related news service posted weekly by the Pesticide 
Action Network North America Regional Center (PANNA RC). 
PANNA RC is located at 116 New Montgomery Street, #810, San 
Francisco, CA 94105.Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. 
To receive a standard information packet about the Pesticide 
Action Network send a short e-mail message to panna-
info@igc.apc.org.
=============================================================


From panna@igc.apc.org Sun Jun  6 23:49:12 1993
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Reply-To: Conference "panna.panups" <panna.panups@conf.igc.apc.org>
From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
Date: 04 Jun 93 15:59 PDT
Subject: PANUPS: Pesticide Use Reduction
To: Recipients of conference "panna.panups" <panna.panups@conf.igc.apc.org>
Message-Id: <1803300024%igc.apc.org@igc.apc.org>
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=============================================================
  PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=============================================================

WWF and Public Voice Call for National Plan to Reduce 
Pesticide Use

June 4, 1993

	On May 20, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Public Voice 
for Food and Health Policy called on the U.S. government to 
adopt an ambitious national strategy to reduce dependence on 
pesticides and other agrichemicals.  The groups released 
reports indicating that U.S. agrichemical use is rising, 
while European countries are achieving significant reductions 
in pesticide use.  
	Polly Hoppin, director of WWF-US's agricultural 
pollution prevention project, called on the Clinton 
Administration "to promote bold policies and programs that 
give farmers the tools they need to minimize their use of 
agricultural chemicals."
	Public Voice's report, Agrichemicals in America, 
examines use of pesticides and other agrichemicals in the 
U.S. from 1966 and 1991.  The report demonstrates that 
overall U.S. agrichemical use has increased 125% in the past 
25 years, despite growing public concern over the health and 
environmental risks posed by agrichemicals.  A national 
opinion poll conducted by Public Voice in March showed that 
60% of the public believe it is very important that farmers 
switch to farming techniques that rely primarily on natural 
methods and use chemicals only as a last resort.
	WWF's report, Pesticide Reduction Programmes in Denmark, 
the Netherlands, and Sweden, analyzes these countries' 
ambitious national plans to reduce pesticide use by targeted 
amounts over specific timelines (see PAN's Global Pesticide 
Campaigner, November 1992).  The WWF report finds that 
providing farmers with incentives to rely on alternative pest 
management leads to substantial reductions in pesticide use 
and the associated risks.  Polly Hoppin stated, "We believe 
the United States can find ways to learn from the European 
example; by making reduced agrichemical use a top priority, 
integrating the efforts of USDA and EPA, and encouraging 
farmers to reduce use by regenerating biodiversity on their 
farms."
	WWF and Public Voice urged the Clinton Administration to 
develop a national strategy for reducing dependence on 
agrichemicals that commits the U.S. to:

--Establish a commission to set goals for profitable 
reductions in pesticide and fertilizer use and to propose 
policies and programs to achieve them.

--Redirect federal programs to reduce reliance on chemicals.

--Develop a national pesticide use reporting program.

--Fully fund programs in the 1990 Farm Bill that promote 
environmentally beneficial agriculture.

Sources/contacts:  Tricia Obester, Public Voice for Food and 
Health Policy, 1001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 522, 
Washington, D.C. 20036; phone (202) 659-5930; fax (202) 659-
3683; Abby Spring, World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th St. NW, 
Washington, D.C. 20037; phone (202) 778-9510; fax (202) 861-
8378.
=============================================================
The Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS) is a 
pesticide-related news service posted weekly by the Pesticide 
Action Network North America Regional Center (PANNA RC). 
PANNA RC is located at 116 New Montgomery Street, #810, San 
Francisco, CA 94105.Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. 
To receive a standard information packet about the Pesticide 
Action Network send a short e-mail message to panna-
info@igc.apc.org.
=============================================================


From panna@igc.apc.org Wed Jun  9 23:13:10 1993
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Reply-To: Conference "panna.panups" <panna.panups@conf.igc.apc.org>
From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
Date: 09 Jun 93 11:19 PDT
Subject: PANUPS: California Action Alert
To: Recipients of conference "panna.panups" <panna.panups@conf.igc.apc.org>
Message-Id: <1803300025%igc.apc.org@igc.apc.org>
Sender: Conference to Mail Gateway <conf2mail@igc.apc.org>
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Status: RO
X-Status: 


=============================================================
  PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=============================================================

California Action Alert
URGENT

June 9, 1993

Contact your state Senator today and urge them to vote YES on 
S.B. 475, the California Pesticide Use Reduction Act of 1993.  
The Senate floor vote on S.B. 475 may be as early as 
Thursday, June 10.

S.B. 475 requires the Director of CalEPA to establish a 
program to significantly reduce pesticide use by the year 
2000.  A statewide pesticide use reduction program would 
change the focus of our current regulatory system from 
managing pesticide problems after the fact to preventing 
contamination.

Call the Sacramento office of your state Senator.  The phone 
number is listed in your phone book.  Mention that you are a 
resident of his or her district and that you hope they vote 
yes on S.B. 475.  Mention that the bill will be up for a vote 
before the full Senate this week.

If possible, also write a letter of support to your Senator 
(California State Senate, P.O. Box 942848, Sacramento, CA 
94248).  You can make the following points:

-- California leads the nation in the extensive use of 
pesticides; 600 million pounds of pesticides are sold in 
California every year.

-- Pesticides have become pervasive contaminants of our 
environment and communities.  Pesticide residues are 
routinely detected in California's ground and surface water, 
rainwater, fog and air.

-- While California has one of the strongest pesticide 
regulatory programs in the world, we are no longer leaders in 
protecting public health and the environment.  As many as 23 
countries including Canada, Indonesia, Sweden, and The 
Netherlands have enacted or are involved in pesticide use 
reduction programs.

Contact:  Pesticide Watch (415) 543-2627
Natural Resources Defense Council (415) 777-0220; Internet e-
mail address: nrdccalif@igc.apc.org
Pesticide Action Network North America (415) 541-9140; 
Internet e-mail address: panna@igc.apc.org
=============================================================
The Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS) is a 
pesticide-related news service posted weekly by the Pesticide 
Action Network North America Regional Center (PANNA RC). 
PANNA RC is located at 116 New Montgomery Street, #810, San 
Francisco, CA 94105.Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. 
To receive a standard information packet about the Pesticide 
Action Network send a short e-mail message to panna-
info@igc.apc.org.
=============================================================


From panna@igc.apc.org Tue Jun 22 18:59:36 1993
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Reply-To: Conference "panna.panups" <panna.panups@conf.igc.apc.org>
From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
Date: 22 Jun 93 12:37 PDT
Subject: PANUPS: Hoescht Files Law Suit
To: Recipients of conference "panna.panups" <panna.panups@conf.igc.apc.org>
Message-Id: <1803300026%igc.apc.org@igc.apc.org>
Sender: Conference to Mail Gateway <conf2mail@igc.apc.org>
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Status: RO
X-Status: 


=============================================================
  PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=============================================================

Hoescht Hits Philippine Journalists and Activists With 
Lawsuit

June 22, 1993

	Hoescht Philippines  Inc., and Hoescht Far East 
Marketing Corporation, subsidiaries of Hoescht AG (based in 
Germany), have filed civil damage suits in Philippine court 
against Philippine News and Features, an English-language 
news syndicate that reported illnesses linked to the use of 
Hoescht's agricultural insecticide Thiodan (active 
ingredient endosulfan.)  Hoescht has also filed charges 
against Dr. Romeo Quijano, an expert witness at the Workshop 
on Women and Pesticides co-sponsored by PAN Asia and the 
Pacific in April of this year in Luzon, Philippines, for 
"willfully, maliciously, and falsely stating that . . . 
Thiodan (a Hoescht product) causes cancer." Hoescht is suing 
the named parties for damages in excess of US$814,800.
	Dr. Quijano was quoted as saying that studies have 
proven that Thiodan causes cancer in an article titled "More 
Diseases Traced to Pesticide Use" that appeared in 
Philippine Daily on May 13, 1993. A pharmacologist and 
professor associated with the Philippine General Hospital, 
and University of the Philippines College of Medicine, 
Quijano has conducted research on pesticide poisonings in 
the Isabela province of northern Luzon.  He is also a member 
of the Pesticide Technical Advisory Committee, on whose 
advice the Philippine Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority 
enacted a ban of pesticides with the active ingredient 
endosulfan in 1992.  Hoescht successfully blocked the 
Philippine government from enforcing this ban, and 
endosulfan-containing pesticides such as Thiodan remain on 
the market throughout the country. (See Global Pesticide 
Campaigner, August 1992).
	Attorneys for Hoescht have also threatened legal action 
against Philippine News and Features for their recent 
reporting of allegations of harassment of a farmer and 
grassroots activist.  Farmer Erminia Abongan, one of the 
participants in the Women and Pesticides conference, 
described symptoms, including skin lesions and shedding 
fingernails, that she experienced for several years 
following use of Brestan, an organotin fungicide and 
molluscicide made by Hoescht. At a regional congress of 
Philippine women farmers held in May, Abongan reiterated her 
experience of chronic symptoms, which persisted for years  
Brestan was withdrawn from the market in the Philippines by 
government action in 1990. Abongan reported that although 
she ceased using the product at this time, two years 
later,"my nails were still falling off." 
	After presenting this testimony, Abongan says she was 
contacted, questioned extensively, photographed and 
videotaped by a group of men identifying themselves as 
Hoescht representatives, who did not provide their names. In 
press materials following these events, Abongan 
characterized these three interviews as intimidating 
interrogations that left her fearful of further harassment 
and possible violence. 
	News items produced by Philippine News and Features 
presented Abongan's allegations with headlines such as 
"Accused of Harassment" (Sunday Chronicle, June 6, 1993) and 
"Baguio Farmer Accuses Hoescht of Harassment" (Manila Times, 
June 2, 1993.) Attorneys for Hoescht, in a letter to the 
news service dated June 7, 1993, deny any harassment or 
other wrongdoing by Hoescht and have requested a formal 
retraction or rectification from the news service. In the 
absence of such retraction or correction, attorneys say that 
they will file charges against Philippine News and Features.
	Organizations in the Philippines and elsewhere in 
Southeast Asia will post an urgent action alert once local 
groups have determined the most appropriate form of 
international support for their cause. Concerned individuals 
and groups are urged to contact the defendants and 
organizations directly involved for an update on the Hoescht 
lawsuits and to learn what help is being requested.

CONTACTS:

PAN Asia and the Pacific, Box 1170, 10850 Penang, Malaysia. 
Phone: (604) 670271; fax: (604 ) 877445.

SIBAT, Box 375, CPO Manila, Philippines.  Phone/fax: (632) 
973220.

Cordillera Women's Education and Resources Centre , No. 16 
Loro St. Subdivision, Baguio City, 2600, Philippines. 
Phone/fax: (634) 4 25347.

Philippine News and Features, 1353 Leon Guinto Street, 
Ermita, Manila, Philippines. Phone: (632) 588-003; fax: 
(632) 521-74-42

Haribon Foundation/Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide 
Philippines, attn. Ipat G. Luna, Attorney at Law, Room 802, 
Richbelt Tower, Metro Manila, Philippines. Phone: (632) 772-
7180; fax: (632) 772-6357

Dr. Romeo Quijano, c/o Health Action International Network, 
9 Cabanatuan Road, Philam Homes, Quezon City, Philippines.

SOURCES:

Personal communication from PAN Asia and the Pacific; "More 
Diseases Traced to Pesticide Use," Jo Calderon, Philippine 
Daily, May 13, 1993;  "Benguet Women Farmers Taking In Toxic 
Pesticides," Anabelle Codiase, Philippine Daily, June 2, 
1993; "Hoescht Sues News Agency for Pesticide Story," in 
Malaya, Agriculture Section, June 8, 1991; Info Sheet, and 
personal communication, Cordillera Women's Education and 
Resources Centre, June 17, 1993.
=============================================================
The Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS) is 
a pesticide-related news service posted weekly by the 
Pesticide Action Network North America Regional Center 
(PANNA RC). PANNA RC is located at 116 New Montgomery 
Street, #810, San Francisco, CA 94105.Tel: (415) 541-
9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. To receive a standard 
information packet about the Pesticide Action Network 
send a short e-mail message to panna-info@igc.apc.org.
=============================================================


From panna@igc.apc.org Fri Jun 25 00:18:18 1993
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Reply-To: Conference "panna.panups" <panna.panups@conf.igc.apc.org>
From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
Date: 24 Jun 93 16:37 PDT
Subject: PANUPS: NRDC Calls for Phase Outs
To: Recipients of conference "panna.panups" <panna.panups@conf.igc.apc.org>
Message-Id: <1803300027%igc.apc.org@igc.apc.org>
Sender: Conference to Mail Gateway <conf2mail@igc.apc.org>
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=============================================================
  PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=============================================================

NRDC Report Calls for Pesticide Phase Outs and Overhaul of 
Pesticide Laws

	A report released on June 21 by the Natural Resources
Defense Council (NRDC) highlights serious problems with pesticide
use in the U.S., and calls for an overhaul of federal regulations
and support for pesticide use reduction and sustainable
agriculture as solutions. In conjunction with the report release,
a broad coalition of groups endorsed a "Pesticide Reform Agenda"
to change the way pesticides are used and regulated in the United
States.
	Findings of NRDC's report, After Silent Spring: The
Unsolved Problems of Pesticide Use in the United States, include: 

-- Since 1964, conventional pesticide use in the U.S. has almost
doubled; total pesticide use now exceeds two billion pounds --
eight pounds for every man, woman and child in the U.S.
	
-- Of 107 pesticides known to cause cancer, 83 are still in use
in the U.S., 71 of them on U.S. food crops.
	
-- One of every ten public water supply wells in the U.S. 
contains residues of at least one pesticide, and over 440,000
rural private wells contain pesticides. 

-- In the past 30 years, the number of insect and mite species
resistant to pesticides has increased from 137 to 447. 

	The report provides a detailed critique of federal
pesticide regulations, including case studies of 10 hazardous
pesticides.  NRDC argues that there is vast potential to reduce
pesticide use, citing impressive examples from the U.S. and other
countries.  A study published by NRDC in 1991 found that
"pesticide use could be reduced in nine major U.S.  crops by 25
to 80 percent using currently available practices including
Integrated Pest Management (IPM), biological control, and crop
rotations." The final chapter of the report recommends specific
federal initiatives to promote pesticide use reduction and
sustainable agriculture, including a national policy committing
the U.S. to these goals. 
	The coalition endorsing the reform agenda includes twelve
environmental, consumer, and labor groups, among them the
Farmworker Justice Fund, the National Coalition Against the
Misuse of Pesticides, the Center for Resource Economics, and the
National Audubon Society (additional groups may join). The
coalition's key recommendations are to: 
	
-- Phase out the food uses of the most dangerous pesticides over
a specific time period.
	
-- Adopt a uniform statutory health-based standard for all
pesticides in all foods.
	
-- Encourage the development and demonstration of, and transition
to alternatives to risky pesticides through targeted research.
	
-- Streamline and strengthen EPA's pesticide program, improve
EPA's enforcement authority for FIFRA, and protect the public and
farmworkers from risky pesticides. 

	The coalition's "Pesticide Reform Agenda" states, "The
over-arching goal of these reforms should be reduced reliance on
pesticides generally, and reduced use of the riskiest pesticides
in particular, to protect the integrity of the environment."

Source: NRDC, 71 Stevenson St., San Francisco, CA 94105;  phone
(415) 777-0220; fax (415) 495-5996.  Copies of the report are
available for $8.95 (including postage). 

Contacts at NRDC: Jennifer Curtis (see number above); Sarah
Silver (202) 783-7800; Judy Martinez (213) 892-1500.
=============================================================
The Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS) is a
pesticide-related news service posted weekly by the Pesticide
Action Network North America Regional Center (PANNA RC).  PANNA
RC is located at 116 New Montgomery Street, #810, San Francisco,
CA 94105.Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253.  To receive a
standard information packet about the Pesticide Action Network
send a short e-mail message to panna-info@igc.apc.org.
=============================================================


From panna@igc.apc.org  Ukn Nov 13 19:34:31 1992
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To: ddickerson@igc.apc.org
Subject: PANUPS: Methyl Bromide Report
Sender: mail2conf@igc.apc.org
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/* Written  4:15 pm  Nov 13, 1992 by panna@igc.apc.org in igc:en.pesticides */
/* ---------- "PANUPS: Methyl Bromide Report" ---------- */
=========================================================
PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=========================================================
METHYL BROMIDE REPORT RELEASED

November 13, 1992

Seven environmental organizations issued a report November 12 
calling for a rapid phase-out of methyl bromide, a widely-used chemical 
pesticide that is depleting the stratospheric ozone layer.

The report calls for an immediate 50% production cutback, and a total 
phase-out within five years.  Included in the report are reviews of 
currently available and developing alternatives, and six case studies of 
successful pest control without methyl bromide.

"Methyl bromide may be the ultimate pesticide, a killer of the ozone 
layer as well as agricultural pests," says Patty Clary, executive director of 
Californians for Alternatives to Toxics.  "Yet almost no one knows of its 
ozone-depleting effects.  It's time to bring this chemical into the light of 
day."

Methyl bromide has caused 5% to 10% of current worldwide ozone 
depletion, according to an international scientific assessment prepared 
for the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).  That share 
will grow to 15% by the year 2000 if current rates of growth for 
production and use continue, the UNEP assessment found.

A bromine atom will destroy an estimated 40 times more ozone 
molecules than a chlorine atom from the infamous, chlorofluorocarbons 
(CFCs).  
According to the UNEP review, methyl bromide is in the atmosphere for 
just two years while CFCs and halons last for up to 150 years.  Due to 
methyl bromide's relatively short lifetime, a rapid phase-out would 
result in a substantial reduction in the rate of ozone depletion in the 
coming critical years when ozone losses are expected to increase sharply.  
Ozone depletion causes more ultraviolet radiation to reach the earth's 
surface, causing an increase in skin cancer, eye damage, and 
immunological disorders, as well as damage to crops, other plants and 
animals.

Restrictions on methyl bromide production are among the key issues 
before the Parties to the Montreal Protocol (the international treaty to 
protect the ozone layer), who will meet November 17-25 in Copenhagen, 
Denmark.  National restrictions are also possible and recommended.  
Although the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the agency 
responsible for curbing methyl bromide production and use in this 
country under the Clean Air Act, they have not yet taken action to 
reduce methyl bromide use.

About 139 million pounds of methyl bromide were produced worldwide 
in 1990.  Production is growing rapidly (about 7% per year).  More than 
half is released into the air when the chemical is applied to fields before 
planting, to harvested crops, or in residential or commercial buildings.

About 43% of the worldwide total, or 55 million pounds, is used in the 
United States.  In California, 20 million pounds were used in 1990.  Of 
this, the two largest uses were structural fumigation in Los Angeles (5 
million pounds) and field fumigation of strawberries (4.3 million 
pounds).  Only about 8,000 growers, or 10% of California's farmers use 
methyl bromide in any given year, although almost all strawberry 
growers use it annually.

"As a recognized Class I ozone depleter, it's not a question of whether 
methyl bromide will be banned, it's a question of when," says Richard 
Reed, program director for the California Action Network, an 
organization promoting sustainable agriculture.

"Farmers need to come to grips with finding alternatives right away," 
says Will Allen, outreach coordinator of the California Institute for 
Rural Studies and one of the report authors.  "I've heard rumors of 
farmer commodity boards gearing up to fight a phase-out.  We hope 
farmers won't let their leaders waste grower money on lawyers and $500-
an-hour lobbyists trying to protect this ozone depleter.  Instead, farmers 
should insist that the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the 
Universities join them in an all-out effort to find non-chemical 
alternatives to methyl bromide."

The call to phase-out the use of methyl bromide will be welcome news to 
farmworkers, who have been calling for a ban on methyl bromide for 
over 15 years.  Methyl bromide is highly toxic, causing short- and long-
term damage to respiratory and central nervous systems.  Acute effects 
includes skin burns and eye injuries.  This chemical puts more 
agricultural workers in the hospital each year in California than any 
other pesticide.

In letters sent prior to the release of the report, the authors asked crop 
commodity boards, government agencies, and chemical producers to 
take a variety of steps to cut wasteful use and recycle emissions, to the 
total phase-out of production and use within five years.

"Farmers, chemical companies, and others will have to cooperate to save 
the ozone layer from methyl bromide, just as other industries have done 
with CFCs and other chemicals," says Mary O'Brien, president of the 
board of the Pesticide Action Network North America Regional Center.  
"That means fundamentally rethinking current practices of fumigating 
soil, commodities, and buildings."

The report, called "Into the Sunlight: Exposing Methyl Bromide's Threat 
to the Ozone Layer," is available for $10 from PAN NA RC, 965 Mission 
Street #514, San Francisco, CA, USA 94103. Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 
541-9253,  or from Friends of the Earth, 218 D Street, SE, Washington, DC, 
USA, 20003, Tel: (202) 544-2600

For more information on methyl bromide contact:

Will Allen, California Institute for Rural Studies, 922 J Street, Suite 223, 
Modesto, CA, USA 95354, Tel: (209) 544-9677

Patricia Clary, Californians for Alternatives to Toxics, 860 1/2 11th Street, 
Arcata, CA, USA 95521, Tel: (707) 822-8497

Liz Cook, Friends of the Earth, 218 D Street, SE, Washington, DC, USA 
20003, Tel: (202) 543-5140

Jennifer Curtis, Natural Resources Defense Council, 71 Stevenson Street, 
Suite 1825, San Francisco, CA, USA 94105, Tel: (415) 777-0220

Andrea Davis, Pesticide Action Network North America Regional 
Center, 965 Mission Street, Suite 514, San Francisco, CA, USA 94103, Tel: 
(415) 541-9140

David Doniger, Natural Resources Defense Council, 1350 New York 
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, USA 20005, Tel: (202) 783-7800

Jay Feldman, National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides, 701 E 
Street, SE, Washington, DC, USA 20003, Tel: (202) 543-5450

Mary O'Brien, Pesticide Action Network North America Regional 
Center, c/o Environmental Studies Rankin Hall, University of Montana, 
Missoula, MT, USA 59812, Tel: (406) 243-5383

Richard Reed, California Action Network, P.O. Box 464, Davis, CA, USA 
95617, Tel: (916) 756-8518
========================================================
This information is provided by the Pesticide Action Network North 
America Updates Service (PANUPS), a pesticide-related news service 
from the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North American Regional 
Center. Updates are posted weekly on EcoNet in the "en.pesticides," 
"en.agriculture" and other appropriate electronic conferences, and 
distributed worldwide across the APC computer network. PANUPS is 
also posted in the Public Conference on RTK NET, on GeoNet in the 
PESTICIDES-BBS bulletin board, on FidoNet in The Ecology Network, on 
the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SANET) on BitNet, and on 
PENpages agriculture information service at Penn State Univ. Hard-copy 
compilations of these updates are also available. For more information 
about PAN activities and publications, contact: PAN NA RC, 965 Mission 
Street #514, San Francisco, CA 94103. Tel: (415) 541-9140. Fax: (415) 541-
9253. Telex: 156283472 PANNA. E-mail address on EcoNet: 
panna@igc.apc.org
========================================================



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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
Date: 06 Jul 93 12:31 PDT
Subject: PANUPS: Two Reports on Food Safety
To: Recipients of conference "panna.panups"
	<panna.panups@conf.igc.apc.org>
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=============================================================
  PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=============================================================

Two Reports on Pesticide Residues in Food: a Flawed 
Regulatory System and Endangered Children

July 6, 1993

	On June 29, 1993, the National Academy of Sciences 
(NAS) released its long-awaited report -- "Pesticides in the 
Diets of Infants and Children" -- analyzing the regulation 
of pesticides in food, and the potential consequences for 
children in the U.S. The NAS concluded that current testing 
procedures for measuring pesticide toxicity in children are 
flawed; sampling measures for foods containing pesticide 
residues consumed by infants and children are inadequate; 
models for evaluating pesticide intake from various 
exposures (e.g., drinking water, air, and soils) are 
incomplete; and overall procedures for determining risks to 
children are largely in error.  Despite the panel's findings 
that the current regulatory system is seriously flawed with 
respect to pesticides' potentially detrimental effects on 
children, the panel issued no warnings to avoid those foods 
most likely to contain dangerously high levels of 
residues. 
	The NAS report recommends that when health and 
scientific data are unavailable, "There should be a 
presumption of greater toxicity to infants and children."  
The vast majority of pesticides used in the United States 
have not been fully tested for short-term health effects, 
long-term health effects, or basic toxicological information 
on so-called "inert" or secret ingredients.  Dr. Philip 
Landrigan, chair of the NAS study panel, stated, "The single 
most important point is that the current system for 
regulating pesticide residues for foods in the United States 
needs to be fundamentally restructured so that health 
concerns become the priority, especially when it comes to 
children."   After more than four years of study, the NAS 
report reached similar conclusions as those arrived at years 
ago by other independent organizations, including the 
Natural Resources Defense Council in their 1989 report 
-"Intolerable Risk; Pesticides in Our Children's Food."

	Another report, "Pesticides in Children's Food", was 
released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) just prior 
to the appearance of the NAS report.  Based on data surveys 
of nearly 20,000 food samples tested between 1990 and 1992 
by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and private 
laboratories, the EWG found that more than half of the food 
samples had detectable, albeit generally low, residues of at 
least one pesticide.  Kenneth Cook, president of the 
Environmental Working Group, remarked, "If you eat in this 
country, you eat pesticides.  You eat small amounts of 
numerous pesticides, you quite likely eat them every day, 
and quite possibly in nearly every meal."  
	Richard Wiles, the author of the EWG report, noted that 
when an additive approach to risk assessment is conducted 
for  "just eight pesticides in 20 fruits and vegetables, we 
estimated that the average child exceeds the EPA lifetime, 
one-in-a-million risk standard from pesticides in food by 
his or her first birthday.  We consider risks of this 
magnitude to be unacceptably high."  The report also 
documented 42 different pesticides were detected on 
tomatoes, 38 detected on strawberries, and 34 detected on 
apples.  Paralleling the NAS critique, the EWG report noted 
that the EPA assesses the health risks from pesticides as 
though people are exposed to them one at a time.
	The Environmental Working Group suggested the phasing 
out of pesticides that pose the greatest risks to children.  
The EWG report also recommended the application of strict 
health standards for all pesticides and the development of 
alternative farming practices.  On June 25 the EPA, USDA (US 
Department of Agriculture), and the FDA issued a joint 
statement that "we expect to use the upcoming reports of the 
National Academy of Sciences and the Environmental Working 
Group on children and pesticides as a basis for formulating 
the legislative and regulatory policies needed to put the 
Administration principles into effect."
	It remains unclear how the Administration will 
reconcile the distinct policy prescriptions contained in the 
two reports.   The NAS study is predicated on finding 
acceptable levels for pesticide residues in food and 
improving risk management techniques, whereas the EWG 
prescribes reducing most pesticide applications and 
eliminating known cancer-causing and similarly hazardous 
pesticides wherever practical alternatives exist.  To state 
the same dilemma in different terms, the NAS report seeks to 
adjust the regulatory system within the chemical-intensive 
context of industrial agriculture.  In contrast, the EWG 
report suggests a fundamental change in the way that food is 
produced in the United States.  

To obtain a copy of the NAS report, write: The National 
Academy of Sciences, Office of News and Public Information, 
2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W.  Washington, D.C.  20416 or 
call 1(800) 24 6242).  The cost of the report is $47.95 
(prepaid) plus $4.00 for shipping.

To obtain a copy of the EWG report, write: The Environmental 
Working Group, 1718 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 600 
Washington,D.C.  20009 or call 1(202) 667-6982. 

Sources:  
"U.S. Is Taking Aim at Farm Chemicals in the Food Supply," 
by Marian Burros. New York Times, June 27, 1993 pages 1 & 
11.

"Pesticide Regulations Flawed, Panel Says," San Francisco 
Chronicle, June 28, 1993. page A5.

"NAS Study Says Pesticides Harmful to Children and Infants," 
Farm Policy News Bulletin, Volume 1, Number 65, June 28, 
1993.
=============================================================
The Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS) is 
a pesticide-related news service posted weekly by the 
Pesticide Action Network North America Regional Center 
(PANNA RC). PANNA RC is located at 116 New Montgomery 
Street, #810, San Francisco, CA 94105.Tel: (415) 541-
9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. To receive a standard 
information packet about the Pesticide Action Network 
send a short e-mail message to panna-info@igc.apc.org.
=============================================================

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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
Date: 06 Jul 93 12:31 PDT
Subject: PANUPS: Two Reports on Food Safety
To: Recipients of conference "panna.panups"
	<panna.panups@conf.igc.apc.org>
Message-Id: <1803300028@igc.apc.org>
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Status: RO
X-Status: 

=============================================================
  PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=============================================================

Two Reports on Pesticide Residues in Food: a Flawed 
Regulatory System and Endangered Children

July 6, 1993

	On June 29, 1993, the National Academy of Sciences 
(NAS) released its long-awaited report -- "Pesticides in the 
Diets of Infants and Children" -- analyzing the regulation 
of pesticides in food, and the potential consequences for 
children in the U.S. The NAS concluded that current testing 
procedures for measuring pesticide toxicity in children are 
flawed; sampling measures for foods containing pesticide 
residues consumed by infants and children are inadequate; 
models for evaluating pesticide intake from various 
exposures (e.g., drinking water, air, and soils) are 
incomplete; and overall procedures for determining risks to 
children are largely in error.  Despite the panel's findings 
that the current regulatory system is seriously flawed with 
respect to pesticides' potentially detrimental effects on 
children, the panel issued no warnings to avoid those foods 
most likely to contain dangerously high levels of 
residues. 
	The NAS report recommends that when health and 
scientific data are unavailable, "There should be a 
presumption of greater toxicity to infants and children."  
The vast majority of pesticides used in the United States 
have not been fully tested for short-term health effects, 
long-term health effects, or basic toxicological information 
on so-called "inert" or secret ingredients.  Dr. Philip 
Landrigan, chair of the NAS study panel, stated, "The single 
most important point is that the current system for 
regulating pesticide residues for foods in the United States 
needs to be fundamentally restructured so that health 
concerns become the priority, especially when it comes to 
children."   After more than four years of study, the NAS 
report reached similar conclusions as those arrived at years 
ago by other independent organizations, including the 
Natural Resources Defense Council in their 1989 report 
-"Intolerable Risk; Pesticides in Our Children's Food."

	Another report, "Pesticides in Children's Food", was 
released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) just prior 
to the appearance of the NAS report.  Based on data surveys 
of nearly 20,000 food samples tested between 1990 and 1992 
by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and private 
laboratories, the EWG found that more than half of the food 
samples had detectable, albeit generally low, residues of at 
least one pesticide.  Kenneth Cook, president of the 
Environmental Working Group, remarked, "If you eat in this 
country, you eat pesticides.  You eat small amounts of 
numerous pesticides, you quite likely eat them every day, 
and quite possibly in nearly every meal."  
	Richard Wiles, the author of the EWG report, noted that 
when an additive approach to risk assessment is conducted 
for  "just eight pesticides in 20 fruits and vegetables, we 
estimated that the average child exceeds the EPA lifetime, 
one-in-a-million risk standard from pesticides in food by 
his or her first birthday.  We consider risks of this 
magnitude to be unacceptably high."  The report also 
documented 42 different pesticides were detected on 
tomatoes, 38 detected on strawberries, and 34 detected on 
apples.  Paralleling the NAS critique, the EWG report noted 
that the EPA assesses the health risks from pesticides as 
though people are exposed to them one at a time.
	The Environmental Working Group suggested the phasing 
out of pesticides that pose the greatest risks to children.  
The EWG report also recommended the application of strict 
health standards for all pesticides and the development of 
alternative farming practices.  On June 25 the EPA, USDA (US 
Department of Agriculture), and the FDA issued a joint 
statement that "we expect to use the upcoming reports of the 
National Academy of Sciences and the Environmental Working 
Group on children and pesticides as a basis for formulating 
the legislative and regulatory policies needed to put the 
Administration principles into effect."
	It remains unclear how the Administration will 
reconcile the distinct policy prescriptions contained in the 
two reports.   The NAS study is predicated on finding 
acceptable levels for pesticide residues in food and 
improving risk management techniques, whereas the EWG 
prescribes reducing most pesticide applications and 
eliminating known cancer-causing and similarly hazardous 
pesticides wherever practical alternatives exist.  To state 
the same dilemma in different terms, the NAS report seeks to 
adjust the regulatory system within the chemical-intensive 
context of industrial agriculture.  In contrast, the EWG 
report suggests a fundamental change in the way that food is 
produced in the United States.  

To obtain a copy of the NAS report, write: The National 
Academy of Sciences, Office of News and Public Information, 
2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W.  Washington, D.C.  20416 or 
call 1(800) 24 6242).  The cost of the report is $47.95 
(prepaid) plus $4.00 for shipping.

To obtain a copy of the EWG report, write: The Environmental 
Working Group, 1718 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 600 
Washington,D.C.  20009 or call 1(202) 667-6982. 

Sources:  
"U.S. Is Taking Aim at Farm Chemicals in the Food Supply," 
by Marian Burros. New York Times, June 27, 1993 pages 1 & 
11.

"Pesticide Regulations Flawed, Panel Says," San Francisco 
Chronicle, June 28, 1993. page A5.

"NAS Study Says Pesticides Harmful to Children and Infants," 
Farm Policy News Bulletin, Volume 1, Number 65, June 28, 
1993.
=============================================================
The Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS) is 
a pesticide-related news service posted weekly by the 
Pesticide Action Network North America Regional Center 
(PANNA RC). PANNA RC is located at 116 New Montgomery 
Street, #810, San Francisco, CA 94105.Tel: (415) 541-
9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. To receive a standard 
information packet about the Pesticide Action Network 
send a short e-mail message to panna-info@igc.apc.org.
=============================================================

From panna@igc.apc.org  Ukn Jul  9 13:55:21 1993
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
Date: 09 Jul 93 09:56 PDT
Subject: PANUPS: Study Ordered on NAFTA
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=============================================================
  PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=============================================================

Environmental Impact Study Ordered on NAFTA

July 8,1993

	On June 30, U.S. District Judge Charles Richey blocked 
the U.S. government from proceeding with the proposed North 
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) until an acceptable 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is prepared. Under the 
direction of U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Kantor, the 
Clinton Administration had planned to submit NAFTA to 
Congress, for approval by January of 1994. The lawsuit that 
resulted in the EIS requirement was filed by the non-profit 
citizens' groups Friends of the Earth, Public Citizen, and 
Sierra Club. 
	The U.S. Department of Justice filed an appeal of Judge 
Richey's decision on July 2, and a motion to expedite the 
appeal was granted on July 8. Kantor has claimed that the 
ruling is unconstitutional because it "interferes with the 
President's ability to negotiate international trade 
agreements."  The appeal is now being briefed in the District 
of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals, and the briefing should 
be complete by August 10. 
	Among the arguments being presented by Public Citizen is 
an affidavit on food safety issues under NAFTA as proposed.  
This affidavit documents possible consequences of adopting 
NAFTA's harmonization of standards, including
	* the Delaney Clause, an addendum to the Federal Food, 
Drug, and Cosmetic Act that prohibits residues of cancer-
causing pesticides if they concentrate in processed food, 
could be considered overly restrictive to trade and 
overturned;
	* bans of specific pesticides could be challenged if 
other safety measures to protect workers or consumers were 
ruled less restrictive to free trade;
	* the implementation of future "Circle of Poison 
Prevention" legislation banning the exports of pesticides not 
registered for use in the U.S. could be blocked, if it were 
determined that less-restrictive means, such as residue 
testing of completed products, were adequate to protect 
public health;
	* state, county, and municipal standards to protect 
public health and safety could be pre-empted, if it were 
ruled that their implementation would result in a barrier to 
free trade under NAFTA.
	Independent environmental groups have argued for years 
that NAFTA as currently negotiated would fail to uphold U.S. 
and state or local laws mandating food safety, air, water, 
and soil quality, sustainable resource management, and other 
conservation-related standards. Richey expressed similar 
concerns in his decision, noting that NAFTA "may worsen the 
environmental problems already existing in the United States-
Mexico border area" and that NAFTA could pre-empt state and 
federal health and environmental standards, including 
tolerances for pesticide residues on food and pollution 
control measures. 
	Business and federal government leaders argue that the 
National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) does not apply 
to international treaties such as NAFTA. Richey addressed 
this concern in his decision, with a reminder that "the power 
to regulate commerce with foreign nations is given to the 
Congress under the Constitution."
	Members of the U.S. Senate and House remain deeply 
divided over NAFTA, even with the "side agreements" presently 
being negotiated to address various concerns including 
environmental standards, workers' rights, and the regulation 
of the amounts of goods imported. These side agreements, 
still under development, are not included in the EIS ordered 
by Judge Richey.
	Attorneys for the plaintiffs anticipate that the appeal 
will ask the court to decide whether the office of the U.S. 
Trade Representative is an "agency" of the U.S. government, 
or whether the Trade Representative serves as a Presidential 
advisor. An agency is bound by the Constitutional mandate to 
submit regulations of foreign trade to Congressional approval 
and all applicable civil laws. A Presidential advisor, 
however, serves as an individual member of the executive 
branch of government, and so could be considered exempt from 
some of the requirements that affect federal agencies.
	This federal court decision sets an important precedent 
that will require the government to consider environmental, 
health, and public safety issues when negotiating or 
implementing trade agreements. If the ruling is upheld, it 
would mean that all international trade agreements, including 
the upcoming Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on 
Tariffs and Trade (GATT) would need a completed EIS before 
they could be presented to the U.S. Congress.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Public Citizen, 215 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, DC, 
20003, USA; phone (202) 546-4996 or (202) 833-3000.

SOURCES:

"Judge in a Ruling that Could Delay Trade Pact," New York 
Times, July 1, 1993;  "Clinton Administration Blocked on 
Trade Pact," San Francisco Examiner, July 1, 1993; press 
release, Public CItizen, June 30, 1993; press release, 
Citizen's Trade Campaign, June 30, 1993; press release, Fair 
Trade Campaign, July 2, 1993; personal communication with 
Sierra Club attorney A. Levisohn, July 2, 1993; personal 
communication with Public Citizen attorney Patti Goldman, 
July 8, 1993.
=============================================================
The Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS) is 
a pesticide-related news service posted weekly by the 
Pesticide Action Network North America Regional Center 
(PANNA RC). PANNA RC is located at 116 New Montgomery 
Street, #810, San Francisco, CA 94105.Tel: (415) 541-
9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. To receive a standard 
information packet about the Pesticide Action Network 
send a short e-mail message to panna-info@igc.apc.org.
=============================================================

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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
Date: 14 Jul 93 16:54 PDT
Subject: PANUPS: EC Proposal is Diluted
To: Recipients of conference "panna.panups"
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=============================================================
  PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=============================================================

Industry Dilutes EC Proposal to Cut Methyl Bromide Use

July 14, 1993

BUSINESS AS USUAL
The European Community (EC) recently released a draft 
regulation on ozone depleting substances which would cut the 
production and supply of methyl bromide by 25% in 1996, 
following a freeze in 1995 (to 1991 levels).*  The EC is the 
world's second-largest user of methyl bromide after the 
USA,using approximately 14,000 tonnes a year - more than 20% 
of the global total.

The EC proposed 25% cut means business as usual, because 
this level of cut can be achieved by emissions from current 
fumigation equipment.  This level represents a very short-
sighted approach that will encourage investment in emission-
limiting research and equipment.  Methyl Bromide users will 
inevitably face a subsequent phase of expenditure on real 
alternatives when the phase-out occurs.

USER FIGHT CUTS
A version of the EC draft regulation leaked in March of this 
year proposed a cut of 50%.  The June proposal clearly shows 
that the European Commission (the civil service which drafts 
EC legislation) gave into political pressure to limit this 
to a 25% cut, between March and June.  Atochem, the French 
chemical company and the major EC producer of methyl 
bromide, led the lobbying.  The French government, which 
owns half of Atochem, also appears to have lobbied for a 
weakened proposal.  Some newspapers also reported that 
Jacques Delors, the French President of the EC, supported 
the producer.  If true, this is very irregular because the 
EC President is supposed to remain completely neutral on 
national issues.

In addition to Atochem, licensed soil fumigation contractors 
have helped to dilute the proposal.  On the day that the 
Commission agreed to the proposal, the Association of 
European Soil Fumigators (the fumigators' lobby group) 
issued a press release criticizing any action beyond the 
1995 production freeze (to 1991 levels) agreed by the 
Montreal Protocol.  

Ministries of agriculture and farmers organizations in most 
EC countries form the third major group opposing progressive 
action on methyl bromide.  Agricultural policies in the EC 
compel many farmers to use pesticides like methyl bromide in 
order to make a living.  

NO ALTERNATIVES?
Those opposing a phase-out in the EC claim that there are no 
viable alternatives, but alternatives do exist for many if 
not all uses.  For example, farmers in Germany, the 
Netherlands and Switzerland use alternatives such as crop 
rotation and steam sterilization rather than methyl bromide.  
Replacements may be more difficult to introduce in southern 
EC countries (Italy, Spain and France are the main EC users 
- see table), but many Italian flower producers already use 
steam.  About 80% of methyl bromide is used to sterilize 
soil before planting crops such as tomatoes, strawberries 
and flowers.

Some EC countries have already taken steps to eliminate 
methyl bromide use. Germany and the Netherlands eliminated 
most agricultural uses by 1991 due to concerns about water 
contamination, food residues and occupational health rather 
than concerns about the ozone layer.  The Italian parliament 
is currently debating a proposal to phase out methyl bromide 
in 1996, and Denmark has issued regulations to eliminate all 
uses by 1998.  If the EC starts planning now, a coordinated 
research program could support an orderly phase-out of 
remaining methyl bromide uses by the year 2000, if not 
sooner.

NEW COALITION
On a positive note, a new coalition is being formed in 
Europe to press for phase-out of methyl bromide by the year 
2000, and sooner wherever possible. This campaign, 
coordinated by the Sustainable Agriculture, Food and 
Environment Alliance  (SAFE) is calling for the EC to set 
phase-out dates for individual uses of methyl bromide, based 
on use priorities and potential alternatives.  It also calls 
for a major shift in agriculture policies and funding so 
that farmers are no longer obliged to use damaging chemicals 
like methyl bromide.  And it demands support and training 
for farmers to adopt environmentally sound alternatives, 
such as crop rotations, as well as support for 'Third World' 
countries to develop alternatives.  The coalition involves 
environmentalists, farmers, consumers and development 
organizations.  


TABLE 1: APPROXIMATE USE IN EC COUNTRIES
Reliable data on the use of methyl bromide are not yet 
available, and estimates for some countries differ widely. 
This table gives very approximate figures, which under-
estimate use in some countries. 


Country       Approximate use (per year)
tonnes     percentage

Benelux            350          3%
Denmark             36          0.2%
France           1,500         11%
Germany             50          0.4%
Greece             800          6%
Ireland             40          0.3%
Italy            6,500         46%
Netherlands         10          0.1%
Portugal            50          0.4%
Spain            3,000         21%
UK                 600          4%

Total EC        14,000        100%

(Note:  Atochem makes about one-third of the methyl bromide 
used in the EC.  The rest is imported from Dead Sea Bromine 
in Israel and Ethyl Corporation and Great Lakes Chemical in 
the USA.)


*Draft regulation COM(93)202

For more information and source contact: Melanie Miller, 
SAFE Alliance, 5 Worship Street, London EC2A 2BH, UK. Tel:+4471 628 9507.
Fax:+4471 628 7902
=============================================================
The Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS) is 
a pesticide-related news service posted weekly by the 
Pesticide Action Network North America Regional Center 
(PANNA RC). PANNA RC is located at 116 New Montgomery 
Street, #810, San Francisco, CA 94105. Tel: (415) 541-
9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. To receive a standard 
information packet about the Pesticide Action Network 
send a short e-mail message to panna-info@igc.apc.org.
=============================================================

From panna@igc.apc.org  Ukn Jul 15 01:15:36 1993
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
Date: 14 Jul 93 16:54 PDT
Subject: PANUPS: EC Proposal is Diluted
To: Recipients of conference "panna.panups"
	<panna.panups@conf.igc.apc.org>
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=============================================================
  PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA UPDATES SERVICE
=============================================================

Industry Dilutes EC Proposal to Cut Methyl Bromide Use

July 14, 1993

BUSINESS AS USUAL
The European Community (EC) recently released a draft 
regulation on ozone depleting substances which would cut the 
production and supply of methyl bromide by 25% in 1996, 
following a freeze in 1995 (to 1991 levels).*  The EC is the 
world's second-largest user of methyl bromide after the 
USA,using approximately 14,000 tonnes a year - more than 20% 
of the global total.

The EC proposed 25% cut means business as usual, because 
this level of cut can be achieved by emissions from current 
fumigation equipment.  This level represents a very short-
sighted approach that will encourage investment in emission-
limiting research and equipment.  Methyl Bromide users will 
inevitably face a subsequent phase of expenditure on real 
alternatives when the phase-out occurs.

USER FIGHT CUTS
A version of the EC draft regulation leaked in March of this 
year proposed a cut of 50%.  The June proposal clearly shows 
that the European Commission (the civil service which drafts 
EC legislation) gave into political pressure to limit this 
to a 25% cut, between March and June.  Atochem, the French 
chemical company and the major EC producer of methyl 
bromide, led the lobbying.  The French government, which 
owns half of Atochem, also appears to have lobbied for a 
weakened proposal.  Some newspapers also reported that 
Jacques Delors, the French President of the EC, supported 
the producer.  If true, this is very irregular because the 
EC President is supposed to remain completely neutral on 
national issues.

In addition to Atochem, licensed soil fumigation contractors 
have helped to dilute the proposal.  On the day that the 
Commission agreed to the proposal, the Association of 
European Soil Fumigators (the fumigators' lobby group) 
issued a press release criticizing any action beyond the 
1995 production freeze (to 1991 levels) agreed by the 
Montreal Protocol.  

Ministries of agriculture and farmers organizations in most 
EC countries form the third major group opposing progressive 
action on methyl bromide.  Agricultural policies in the EC 
compel many farmers to use pesticides like methyl bromide in 
order to make a living.  

NO ALTERNATIVES?
Those opposing a phase-out in the EC claim that there are no 
viable alternatives, but alternatives do exist for many if 
not all uses.  For example, farmers in Germany, the 
Netherlands and Switzerland use alternatives such as crop 
rotation and steam sterilization rather than methyl bromide.  
Replacements may be more difficult to introduce in southern 
EC countries (Italy, Spain and France are the main EC users 
- see table), but many Italian flower producers already use 
steam.  About 80% of methyl bromide is used to sterilize 
soil before planting crops such as tomatoes, strawberries 
and flowers.

Some EC countries have already taken steps to eliminate 
methyl bromide use. Germany and the Netherlands eliminated 
most agricultural uses by 1991 due to concerns about water 
contamination, food residues and occupational health rather 
than concerns about the ozone layer.  The Italian parliament 
is currently debating a proposal to phase out methyl bromide 
in 1996, and Denmark has issued regulations to eliminate all 
uses by 1998.  If the EC starts planning now, a coordinated 
research program could support an orderly phase-out of 
remaining methyl bromide uses by the year 2000, if not 
sooner.

NEW COALITION
On a positive note, a new coalition is being formed in 
Europe to press for phase-out of methyl bromide by the year 
2000, and sooner wherever possible. This campaign, 
coordinated by the Sustainable Agriculture, Food and 
Environment Alliance  (SAFE) is calling for the EC to set 
phase-out dates for individual uses of methyl bromide, based 
on use priorities and potential alternatives.  It also calls 
for a major shift in agriculture policies and funding so 
that farmers are no longer obliged to use damaging chemicals 
like methyl bromide.  And it demands support and training 
for farmers to adopt environmentally sound alternatives, 
such as crop rotations, as well as support for 'Third World' 
countries to develop alternatives.  The coalition involves 
environmentalists, farmers, consumers and development 
organizations.  


TABLE 1: APPROXIMATE USE IN EC COUNTRIES
Reliable data on the use of methyl bromide are not yet 
available, and estimates for some countries differ widely. 
This table gives very approximate figures, which under-
estimate use in some countries. 


Country       Approximate use (per year)
tonnes     percentage

Benelux            350          3%
Denmark             36          0.2%
France           1,500         11%
Germany             50          0.4%
Greece             800          6%
Ireland             40          0.3%
Italy            6,500         46%
Netherlands         10          0.1%
Portugal            50          0.4%
Spain            3,000         21%
UK                 600          4%

Total EC        14,000        100%

(Note:  Atochem makes about one-third of the methyl bromide 
used in the EC.  The rest is imported from Dead Sea Bromine 
in Israel and Ethyl Corporation and Great Lakes Chemical in 
the USA.)


*Draft regulation COM(93)202

For more information and source contact: Melanie Miller, 
SAFE Alliance, 5 Worship Street, London EC2A 2BH, UK. Tel:+4471 628 9507.
Fax:+4471 628 7902
=============================================================
The Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS) is 
a pesticide-related news service posted weekly by the 
Pesticide Action Network North America Regional Center 
(PANNA RC). PANNA RC is located at 116 New Montgomery 
Street, #810, San Francisco, CA 94105. Tel: (415) 541-
9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. To receive a standard 
information packet about the Pesticide Action Network 
send a short e-mail message to panna-info@igc.apc.org.
=============================================================

From panna@igc.apc.org  Ukn Jul 15 01:15:36 1993
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Subject: PANUPS: EC Proposal is Diluted
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Industry Dilutes EC Proposal to Cut Methyl Bromide Use

July 14, 1993

BUSINESS AS USUAL
The European Community (EC) recently released a draft 
regulation on ozone depleting substances which would cut the 
production and supply of methyl bromide by 25% in 1996, 
following a freeze in 1995 (to 1991 levels).*  The EC is the 
world's second-largest user of methyl bromide after the 
USA,using approximately 14,000 tonnes a year - more than 20% 
of the global total.

The EC proposed 25% cut means business as usual, because 
this level of cut can be achieved by emissions from current 
fumigation equipment.  This level represents a very short-
sighted approach that will encourage investment in emission-
limiting research and equipment.  Methyl Bromide users will 
inevitably face a subsequent phase of expenditure on real 
alternatives when the phase-out occurs.

USER FIGHT CUTS
A version of the EC draft regulation leaked in March of this 
year proposed a cut of 50%.  The June proposal clearly shows 
that the European Commission (the civil service which drafts 
EC legislation) gave into political pressure to limit this 
to a 25% cut, between March and June.  Atochem, the French 
chemical company and the major EC producer of methyl 
bromide, led the lobbying.  The French government, which 
owns half of Atochem, also appears to have lobbied for a 
weakened proposal.  Some newspapers also reported that 
Jacques Delors, the French President of the EC, supported 
the producer.  If true, this is very irregular because the 
EC President is supposed to remain completely neutral on 
national issues.

In addition to Atochem, licensed soil fumigation contractors 
have helped to dilute the proposal.  On the day that the 
Commission agreed to the proposal, the Association of 
European Soil Fumigators (the fumigators' lobby group) 
issued a press release criticizing any action beyond the 
1995 production freeze (to 1991 levels) agreed by the 
Montreal Protocol.  

Ministries of agriculture and farmers organizations in most 
EC countries form the third major group opposing progressive 
action on methyl bromide.  Agricultural policies in the EC 
compel many farmers to use pesticides like methyl bromide in 
order to make a living.  

NO ALTERNATIVES?
Those opposing a phase-out in the EC claim that there are no 
viable alternatives, but alternatives do exist for many if 
not all uses.  For example, farmers in Germany, the 
Netherlands and Switzerland use alternatives such as crop 
rotation and steam sterilization rather than methyl bromide.  
Replacements may be more difficult to introduce in southern 
EC countries (Italy, Spain and France are the main EC users 
- see table), but many Italian flower producers already use 
steam.  About 80% of methyl bromide is used to sterilize 
soil before planting crops such as tomatoes, strawberries 
and flowers.

Some EC countries have already taken steps to eliminate 
methyl bromide use. Germany and the Netherlands eliminated 
most agricultural uses by 1991 due to concerns about water 
contamination, food residues and occupational health rather 
than concerns about the ozone layer.  The Italian parliament 
is currently debating a proposal to phase out methyl bromide 
in 1996, and Denmark has issued regulations to eliminate all 
uses by 1998.  If the EC starts planning now, a coordinated 
research program could support an orderly phase-out of 
remaining methyl bromide uses by the year 2000, if not 
sooner.

NEW COALITION
On a positive note, a new coalition is being formed in 
Europe to press for phase-out of methyl bromide by the year 
2000, and sooner wherever possible. This campaign, 
coordinated by the Sustainable Agriculture, Food and 
Environment Alliance  (SAFE) is calling for the EC to set 
phase-out dates for individual uses of methyl bromide, based 
on use priorities and potential alternatives.  It also calls 
for a major shift in agriculture policies and funding so 
that farmers are no longer obliged to use damaging chemicals 
like methyl bromide.  And it demands support and training 
for farmers to adopt environmentally sound alternatives, 
such as crop rotations, as well as support for 'Third World' 
countries to develop alternatives.  The coalition involves 
environmentalists, farmers, consumers and development 
organizations.  


TABLE 1: APPROXIMATE USE IN EC COUNTRIES
Reliable data on the use of methyl bromide are not yet 
available, and estimates for some countries differ widely. 
This table gives very approximate figures, which under-
estimate use in some countries. 


Country       Approximate use (per year)
tonnes     percentage

Benelux            350          3%
Denmark             36          0.2%
France           1,500         11%
Germany             50          0.4%
Greece             800          6%
Ireland             40          0.3%
Italy            6,500         46%
Netherlands         10          0.1%
Portugal            50          0.4%
Spain            3,000         21%
UK                 600          4%

Total EC        14,000        100%

(Note:  Atochem makes about one-third of the methyl bromide 
used in the EC.  The rest is imported from Dead Sea Bromine 
in Israel and Ethyl Corporation and Great Lakes Chemical in 
the USA.)


*Draft regulation COM(93)202

For more information and source contact: Melanie Miller, 
SAFE Alliance, 5 Worship Street, London EC2A 2BH, UK. Tel:+4471 628 9507.
Fax:+4471 628 7902
=============================================================
The Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS) is 
a pesticide-related news service posted weekly by the 
Pesticide Action Network North America Regional Center 
(PANNA RC). PANNA RC is located at 116 New Montgomery 
Street, #810, San Francisco, CA 94105. Tel: (415) 541-
9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. To receive a standard 
information packet about the Pesticide Action Network 
send a short e-mail message to panna-info@igc.apc.org.
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From: Pesticide Action Network North America Reg Ctr <panna@igc.apc.org>
Date: 20 Jul 93 16:46 PDT
Subject: PANUPS: Mexico Victims File Suit
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Mexican Pesticide Victims File Suit in U.S. Court

July 20, 1993

	A lawsuit was filed in Jefferson County, Texas on May 
3, 1993, naming E.I. Du Pont de Nemours, ICI and two Mexican 
firms responsible for damages suffered by nine individuals 
as a result of a pesticide disaster in Mexico in 1991.
	PAN Mexico, Red de Accion sobre Plaguicidas y 
Alternativas en Mexico (RAPAM), needs to identify a larger 
international network of scientists, lawyers, physicians and 
victims to support their lawsuit. Anyone who can provide 
assistance is asked to contact RAPAM directly.
	On May 3, 1991 a fire at the pesticide formulation and 
storage facility, Agricultura Nacional de Veracruz, SA 
(ANAVERSA), in Cordoba, Veracruz resulted in one of Mexico's 
worst pesticide disasters (see GPC 5/92). More than 500 
people were sickened by toxic clouds from the fire in which 
an estimated 18,000 liters of methyl parathion, 8,000 liters 
of paraquat, 3,000 liters of 2,4-D and 1,500 liters of 
pentachlorophenol, among other chemicals, were released. 
Long term health and environmental effects have only been 
partially documented, largely through voluntary efforts. 
	Traditionally, victims of exported hazardous products 
have had little hope of going to court to obtain fair 
compensation for personal injuries or environmental damage. 
However, in 1990 the Texas Supreme Court established a 
precedent by allowing Costa Rican banana workers injured by 
U.S.-exported DBCP to seek damages from Dow and Shell in 
Texas state court. This provided an opportunity for foreign 
victims such as the ANAVERSA case plaintiffs to file suit in 
Texas court. Of course, this decision had powerful 
opponents, and the Texas legislature responded by changing 
state law to allow courts to use the legal doctrine of forum 
non conveniens to dismiss cases by foreign plaintiffs 
(effective September 1, 1993). Louisiana is now the only 
U.S. state that does not recognize this doctrine. Thus, 
people in other countries who are harmed by U.S. products 
still have virtually no opportunity to successfully file 
suit against the manufacturers in U.S. courts.

Sources: Benton Musslewhite (attorney representing the 
plaintiffs); Jorge Arturo de Leon, Universidad Nacional 
Autonoma de Mexico.

Contact: Susana Franco, RAPAM, Vesubio No. 57, Col. Alpes, 
01010 Mexico City, D.F., Mexico; phone (52-5) 593-7659; fax 
(52-5) 549-9416.
=============================================================
The Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS) is 
a pesticide-related news service posted weekly by the 
Pesticide Action Network North America Regional Center 
(PANNA RC). PANNA RC is located at 116 New Montgomery 
Street, #810, San Francisco, CA 94105. Tel: (415) 541-
9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. To receive a standard 
information packet about the Pesticide Action Network 
send a short e-mail message to panna-info@igc.apc.org.
=============================================================

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HUNGARIAN BIRTH DEFECTS BLAMED ON POISONED FISH

August 16, 1993

	A report written by a team of German and Hungarian 
scientists argues that excessive use of trichlorfon*, an 
organophosphate pesticide, at a fish farm is the most 
likely cause of the high rate of birth defects in a village 
in southwestern Hungary. Eleven out of 15 babies born in the 
village of Rinya during 1989-90 suffered from severe birth 
defects such as Down's syndrome or abnormalities of the 
heart and lung. At least four of the children have died. 
	The area around Rinya has several ponds used for fish 
farming. According to Andre Czeizel of the National 
Institute of Hygiene in Budapest and part of the 
investigative team, the problems began when the director of 
the fish farms began instituting new procedures in 1988 and 
ignored established guidelines for using the pesticide. At 
that time, trichlorfon was commonly used in Hungary to kill 
parasites on farmed fish. However, in this instance, a 
method of "chemical fast bathing" was used in which the fish 
are taken out of the water, treated in a bath of 40% 
trichlorfon for five to ten minutes, and then returned to 
the pond. After treatment fish would lie motionless on the 
water's surface for hours, or even days at a time. 
	The residents of the village were not told about the 
new procedure. Though fishing was prohibited during these 
periods, many of the villagers are very poor and continued 
to eat treated fish, which were often taken out of the water 
by hand while in a comatose state. All of the mothers of the 
15 babies born during 1989-90 reported eating the 
contaminated fish during pregnancy. Czeizel and his 
colleagues estimated that pregnant women eating the fish 
could have reached 40 times the level set by the World 
Health Organization for acceptable daily intake. 
	The team of scientists were able to rule out both 
inherited genetic defects and inbreeding as causes of the 
defects. Studies and registry data for congenital 
abnormalities in Hungary suggest a rate of only one in every 
15 births. Before 1988 and after 1990, the number of birth 
defects in Rinya was much closer to the Hungarian average. 
The scientists concluded that cause was most likely 
environmental and suggested that trichlorfon could be 
responsible. 

* (2,2,2-trichloro-1-hydroxyethyl)-phosphonic acid dimethyl 
ester, also known as chlorofos, metrifonate, and 
trichlorphane; brand names include Flibol and Dipterex.

SOURCES: The Lancet, February 27, 1993
- New Scientist, March 6, 1993.
CONTACT: Dr. Andrew E. Czeizel, Orszagos Kozegeszsegugyi 
Intezet, 1097 Budapest, Gyali ut 2-6, Hungary.
=============================================================
The Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS) is 
a pesticide-related news service posted weekly by the 
Pesticide Action Network North America Regional Center 
(PANNA RC). PANNA RC is located at 116 New Montgomery 
Street, #810, San Francisco, CA 94105. Tel: (415) 541-
9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. To receive a standard 
information packet about the Pesticide Action Network 
send a short e-mail message to panna-info@igc.apc.org.
=============================================================

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Date: 18 Aug 93 14:22 PDT
Subject: PANUPS: Cancer Linked to Herbicide
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Report Links Cancers to Herbicide Exposure

August 18, 1993

	A report released July 27, 1993 by the Institute of
Medicine (IOM)* has concluded that evidence exists linking three
cancers and two other health problems with chemicals used in
herbicides.  The IOM committee's report, "Veterans and Agent
Orange: Health Effects of Herbicides Used in Vietnam," focuses on
Agent Orange (a mixture of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T) and other
herbicides** used in Vietnam, some of which contained dioxin, an
unintended byproduct of the manufacturing process.  The study
results have wide-ranging implications not only for Vietnam
veterans, but also for others exposed to these herbicides (some
of which are still widely used), and people exposed to dioxins
from other sources.
	The committee examined more than 230 epidemiological
studies on a range of health problems and their possible
association with herbicides or dioxins.  It found sufficient
evidence of a statistical association between exposure to
herbicides or dioxin and three types of cancer: soft tissue
sarcoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and Hodgkin's disease. The
report also noted sufficient evidence of an association between
herbicides or dioxin and chloracne and PCT.  Chloracne is an
acne-like skin disorder; PCT is a liver disorder characterized by
thinning and blistering of the skin.  The committee also found
limited or suggestive evidence of an association between
herbicide exposure and three other types of cancer: respiratory
cancers, prostate cancer, and multiple myeloma.
	Both toxicological and epidemiological data on herbicides
were studied by the committee.  Most of the these studies did not
involve Vietnam veterans, but rather people who were exposed to
herbicides occupationally or environmentally, for example
following industrial accidents.  These types of exposures were
often at high levels and for long periods of time.  In reviewing
the literature, the committee found that exposure assessment was
the weakest element in most epidemiological studies of veterans. 
	The link between Agent Orange and other dioxin-
containing herbicides and human health effects has been widely
studied with varying results, and remains a subject of heated
controversy.  The difficulty of finding both people with high
exposures and good controls to study is a major reason for
variations in study results. 
	The committee stated that evidence about exposure during
the war suggests that Vietnam veterans as a group had
substantially lower exposure to herbicides and dioxins than the
subjects in many occupational studies. Veterans who participated
in Operation Ranch Hand (the extensive spraying of approximately
19 million gallons of herbicide over 3.6 million acres of South
Vietnam from airplanes) are an exception to this pattern.  There
may also be some former ground troops not directly involved in
the spraying who were exposed to herbicides at levels associated
with adverse health effects.  The committee urged that a
non-government organization be commissioned to develop and test
new methods of evaluating herbicide exposure in Vietnam veterans.
	The U.S. military sprayed millions of gallons of
herbicides over South Vietnam between 1962 and 1971, before
reports of health effects in laboratory animals resulted in an
end to the spraying.  The impacts on the Vietnamese people's
health and environment are poorly documented and often
overlooked.  A number of Vietnamese studies contain evidence
suggestive of some cancers and reproductive effects. 

* The Institute of Medicine is a private, non-profit 
organization that provides health policy advice under a 
congressional charter granted to the National Academy of 
Sciences.
** "Herbicides" refers to the major herbicides used in 
Vietnam: 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T and its contaminant TCDD (2,3,7,8-
tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin), cacodylic acid, and picloram.

Sources/contacts: Susan Turner-Lowe, Institute of Medicine,
Office of News and Public Information, 2101 Constitution Avenue,
NW, Washington, DC 20418, USA; phone (202) 334-2138;  fax (202)
334-2158; Dr. Arnold Schecter, Clinical Campus, SUNY Health
Science Center, 88 Aldrich Ave., Binghamton, NY 13903; fax (607)
770-8623.
============================================================= 
The Pesticide Action Network Updates Service (PANUPS) is a
pesticide-related news service posted weekly by the Pesticide
Action Network North America Regional Center (PANNA RC). PANNA RC
is located at 116 New Montgomery Street, #810, San Francisco, CA
94105. Tel: (415) 541- 9140. Fax: (415) 541-9253. To receive a
standard information packet about the Pesticide Action Network
send a short e-mail message to panna-info@igc.apc.org.
=============================================================

