Turkey Bans 16 Toxic Substances Used in Pesticides: ‘Good News, But Not Enough’

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The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has decided to ban 16 active ingredients (toxic substances) used in pesticides.

Wheat Association - No Pesticides on My Plate Communication and Campaign Coordinator Turgay Özçelik says that they welcome the news, noting that this ban in itself is not enough. Özçelik asks:

"Getting rid of even a single toxic substance is, of course, good news. But, will all other toxic substances used in agriculture be banned as well?"

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Indicating that they await a satisfactory statement from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Özçelik underlines that they expect the same decision to be taken for all pesticides used in agriculture in Turkey.

Consisting of over 100 organizations and initiatives, the No Pesticides on My Plate Civil Society Network says that they welcome the news, adding that all other toxic substances used in agriculture and detrimental to humans and environment need to be banned as well.

The network expects the necessary steps to be taken so that alternative and non-hazardous methods and techniques can be developed.

* Names of active substances and due dates for ending import, production and use, respectively

Analyzing the pesticides in the list sent by the ministry to universities, No Pesticides on My Plate Civil Society Network previously did a research on the damages caused by these pesticides in terms of human health, the health of other living beings in natural life and environmental toxicity. The findings of their research have shown that 41 active substances in that list pose lethal hazards to both humans and other living beings.

Wheat Association Director General Batur Şehirlioğlu also puts an emphasis on the steps to be taken following this recent ban. Since the start of accession negotiations with the European Union (EU) till today, over 180 active substances of pesticides have been banned, says Şehirlioğlu and notes that new substances are banned with each passing day:

"However, it is not just about banning the pesticides, it is also about seeing the unsustainability of the existing agricultural system and setting goals and a road map - like the EU - so that a ecological, healthy, just and sustainable agriculture - food system can be adopted as soon as possible."

Concluding his remarks, Şehirlioğlu has referred to the "Road Map for Plates without Pesticides" prepared by the network about their recommendations about the process and called on the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to take this document into consideration. (AÖ/SD)