Pesticides can contaminate the harvests of organic as well as conventional farmers in large areas around the point of origin. This is shown by case in Brandenburg. Since several years the fennel harvest at the organic farm “Gut Wilmersdorf” has been contaminated with residues of the herbicide Pendimethalin and Prosulfocarb. Both chemicals aren’t used in the vicinity of the farm; the closest area where it is used is kilometres away. The result of the contamination is that the organic produce can’t be sold. The residue level on the fennel was above the limit used for baby food.
A study commissioned by the Ministry of Rural Development, Environment and Agriculture of the Federal State of Brandenburg (MRDEA), proves that the spread over larger areas of both pesticides is largely influenced by thermal conditions and wind. In samples taken by MRDEA of both fennel and kale from the region were residues of both chemicals found.
“It isn’t right that organic farmers need to change the production of their crops because the authorities fail in the control of pesticides,” state Tina Boeckmann and Stefan Palme, the organic farmers whose crops are involved. That certain chemicals are highly volatile and can be transported over great areas hasn’t sufficiently been considered in the approval process. “And we are left with the damages while the source of the pesticides can’t be found due to the large distances covered. We find that a grave infringement on our livelihood as a farmer,” states the fennel farmer.
“Pesticides that evaporate easily and thus contaminate organic crops over great distances should be banned immediately. Organic farmers shouldn’t be the victims of a flaw in the approval procedures. The criteria for approval should be changed,” demands Jan Plagge, director of Bioland. Furthermore Bioland demands a comprehensive monitoring of airborne pesticides. This is possible since 2003 at the air monitor stations all over the country. “It is most likely that this problem exists for years but has been ignored by the authorities,” states Plagge. The contamination of kale with Pendimethalin has been known for years. And the mention of the possibility that the long distance spread of the chemicals could be the cause, has been discussed just as long. But no one draws the right conclusion from these results. The discussion just centred on threshold values, and Bioland rejects this course.
Plagge reiterates his demand for the institution of 'the polluter pays' principle. “The pesticide producers should finally be held responsible for the additional costs caused by pesticide-based crop protection.” This refers to the hidden costs of environmental damages, loss in biodiversity, water pollution and medical expenses.
Source: www.bioland.de