Dear reader, the issue of nutrients and pesticides is a latent threat in the face of the agri-food crisis caused by Covid-19, a phenomenon that will be increasingly present on national agendas.
Illegal pesticides in Mexican agriculture and health and environmental risks are not addressed by Mexican regulatory authorities. The figures are chilling.
The issue was addressed by the OECD report on pesticide regulation and by the National Citizen Observatory that recently presented its study: “Illegal Pesticides Market in Mexico.”
The figures are overwhelming for everything that implies that pirated products are used as pesticides, which do not comply with the strict production and certification measures of the health authorities (the Federal Commission for the Prevention of Sanitary Risks).
The Observatory calculated, based on figures from the Crop Protection Industry, that the market value of illegal pesticide products in Mexico reached 210 million dollars last year.
Small farmers, in their eagerness to lower production costs, resort to these because they are between 20 and 40% cheaper than products approved by the government, but they are a death trap for the health of the consumer and for the environment.
The report of the National Observatory reports that the National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality (Senasica), which depends on the Sader, found in a study that “one out of every two analyzed samples of agricultural products contains pesticide residues not authorized by the Health Secretary”.
The government is overwhelmed by the amount of illegal pesticides on the market and has not issued health alerts.
Between the OECD study and the Citizen Observatory report, 30 recommendations were made to the government to address the problem of pirate pesticides, among which are the integration of a database and an alert system for the announcements and publications they make. in social networks, integrate a national insurance base, generate channels for anonymous reporting and immediate action, greater coordination between official agencies to address the problem (from Customs to Cofepris itself).
Until when will the government address a problem that affects food safety, consumer health?
Dear reader, the issue of nutrients and pesticides is a latent threat in the face of the agri-food crisis caused by Covid-19, a phenomenon that will be increasingly present on national agendas. Poor pesticides so close to our health and so far from government attention. Until next time.
Twitter: @ErosalesA
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Political scientist and lawyer, academic, columnist, president of citizens without a party and proud Mexican.
Reference-www.eleconomista.com.mx