PAN AP to the Philippine Government  -
Protect Your People!  Institute a TOTAL Ban on Endosulfan! 

Statement by the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Asia and the Pacific

The news of the recent decision by the Philippine government to stop diving
and retrieval operations at the site of the sunken M/V Princess of the
Stars due to its shipment of pesticides destined for use by Del Monte is an
unmitigated double tragedy for the people of the Philippines! 1   Only 57
survivors were rescued, while hundreds more were noted as either dead or
missing, and the searches by the retrieval crews were to hopefully find
those still trapped in the ferry.

Not only do the families hoping for news of survivors within the wreckage
face loss of hope to find answers of their loved ones fate; now the
communities in Romblon province and the salvage crew face threats of
exposure from one of the world’s most dangerous pesticides, endosulfan.

“It is totally scandalous that Endosulfan, which is banned in the
Philippines, is allowed for use by cash–crop industries such as Del Monte
and Dole!” argues Sarojeni V. Rengam, Executive Director of the PAN Asia
and the Pacific.  “The Philippine government has failed in its
responsibility to protect the people of the Philippines, it should have
imposed a total ban on this extremely hazardous pesticide.  Why are there
exemptions on endosulfan use for these multinational companies?  And it is
only due to this tragic event that these issues have come to light!”    
 

Endosulfan is as an acutely toxic pesticide that poses significant health
problems, it can effect the nervous system, causing hyperexcitation and
convulsions, and nervous system mediated effects on respiration and heart.
Death results from low levels of exposure.  Endosulfan is very toxic:  it
is harmful in contact with skin; very toxic by inhalation; very toxic if
swallowed; it is dangerous for the environment; and very toxic to aquatic
organisms, and may cause long term effects in the aquatic environment. 

The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority had banned endosulfan, but
exemptions were provided to multinational plantation food companies Dole
and Del Monte operating in the country.  It has been revealed that the 10
metric tons of the pesticide found inside the capsized M/V Princess of the
Stars belonged to Del Monte, which runs pineapple plantations in Mindanao.
 

“In 1994 the Pesticides Technical Advisory Committee made recommendations
to ban endosulfan to the Philippines Pesticides Authority.  And the
exemptions for Dole and Del Monte should only be in place for two years”,
stresses Dr Romeo Quijano, Toxicologist with the School of Pharmacology at
the University of the Philippines.  “But upon this call for a ban, the
Pesticides Technical Advisory Committee was not called for another meeting
and has been dormant since!” adds Dr Quijano, who is also President of
PAN Philippines.   

Cases of endosulfan poisonings, resulting in death or severe disability,
have been reported principally in Asia, Africa and Latin America.  Effects
in survivors include congenital deformities, delayed male sexual maturity,
female hormonal disorders, congenital mental retardation, cerebral palsy,
psychiatric disturbances, epilepsy, cancers, skin, eye, ear, nose and
throat problems, impaired memory, and chronic malaise.

Endosulfan has been the subject of a Campaign for a Global Ban by the
Pesticide Action Network, the International POPs (Persistent Organo
Pollutants) Network and other concerned groups.  It has also been banned or
restricted in many countries
because of human health and environmental impacts.

For More Information contact:

Sarojeni V. Rengam, Executive Director, Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Asia
and the Pacific, Penang, Malaysia.  
PAN AP Tel: +604 657 0271/ +604 656 0381  Mobile:  +6012 4789545
Email: panap@panap.net, sarojeni.rengam@panap.net

Jennifer Mourin, Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Asia and the Pacific,
Penang, Malaysia.   PAN AP Tel: +604 657 0271/ +604 656 0381
Email: panap@panap.net, jennifer.mourin@panap.net

Dr. Romeo Quijano, President, Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Philippines;
Professor of Toxicology, University of the Philippines, Manila; and
Convener for RESIST Agrochemical TNCs.
Mobile: +639228333531
Email: romyquij@yahoo.com


Notes to Editors:

1.  References on the Sunken Ferry Disaster, and Discovery of Endosulfan
contents:  
“(UPDATE) Pesticide found inside ferry; search stopped“, by Joel
Guinto, INQUIRER.net, First Posted 09:21:00 06/27/2008;   “Coast Guard
didn’t know about pesticide in ferry—official”, INQUIRER.net.  Posted
date: June 27, 2008;  “(UPDATE) Toxic scare stops search for more
bodies”  ABSCBN News Online, 27 June 2008
(http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/topofthehour.aspx?StoryId=123229);  

2.  All information on endosulfan taken from the PAN AP Monograph, prepared
by Dr Meriel Watts; and available at PAN AP website:  http://www.panap.net

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PAN Asia and the Pacific
P.O. Box 1170, 10850 Penang, Malaysia
Tel: 604–6570271 or 604–6560381
Fax: 604–6583960
E-mail: panap@panap.net
Home Page: http://www.panap.net

Pesticide Action Network (PAN) is a global network working to eliminate the
human and environmental harm caused by pesticides and to promote
biodiversity based ecological agriculture. PAN Asia and the Pacific is
committed to the empowerment of people especially women, agricultural
workers, peasant and indigenous farmers. We are dedicated to protect the
safety and health of people, and the environment from pesticide use and
genetic engineering. We believe in a people–centered, pro–women
development through food sovereignty, ecological agriculture and
sustainable lifestyles.



------------------------------------

International Human Rights Organisation (IHRO), of the Indian subcontinent, is a NGO, with national focus and overseas lobby network. It agitates both in India and internationally. Yahoo! Groups Links