End Poison Rain

Ban Aerial Spraying in the Philippines!

What is aerial spraying? form of pesticide application that uses a small

airplane or helicopter used by the banana plantations in Mindanao

since 1970s targets sigatoka, a fungus that attacks the

leaves of banana plants and causes premature aging of fruits

mixture sprayed usually composed of pesticide, water, the oil or sticker and emulsifier

in the Philippines, only fungicides are allowed by FPA to be sprayed aerially

The chemicals sprayed is inherently poison Pesticides are

designed to kill Even if registered by

the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, still have ill effects on non-target organisms

All banned pesticides were once allowed for use

Why is there a need to ban aerial spraying?

Pesticide Poisoning Victims in India Pesticide Poisoning Victims in India

Pesticide Poisoning Victims in MindanaoPesticide Poisoning Victims in Mindanao

Fungicides sprayed and their health effects

Active Ingredient

Product Name/Brand

Documented health effects

Azoxystrobin Bankit 250 EC Highly toxic to fish and invertebrates; not allowed for use in Canada

Biterthanol Baycor 300EC Possible source of birth defects; not allowed for use in US farms

Propiconazole Bumper 250 EC Possibly carcinogenic/cancer-causing; contains reproductive toxins

Tridemorph Calixin 750 EC Causes birth defects; not allowed for use in Canada and UK

Mancozeb Dithane 448 F Carcinogenic; contains reproductive toxins; may cause birth defects; suspected to disrupt endocrine functions

Chlorotalonil Daconil 720 F Carcinogenic; highly toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates; bio- accumulates in fish

Fungicides sprayed and their health effects

Active Ingredient

Product Name/Brand

Documented health effects

Maneb Maneb 80 WP Causes birth defects; probable source of carcinogens; potential source of reproductive toxins

Diteconazole Sico 250 EC No available data

Propiconazole Tilt 250 EC Possibly carcinogenic; contains reproductive toxins

Mancozeb Vondozeb Plus 80 WP

Potential cause of birth defects

Thiophanate Methyl

Topsin M 70 WP Very highly toxic to catfish; toxic to earthworms; causes damage to thyroid glands, producing hyperthyroidism

Aerial spraying increases the spray drift increasing toxic exposure predictable percentage of spray drift can reach to 3.2

km from the treatment site -- USEPA 80 km – in hilly terrain under windy conditions – a study in

central Washington

contaminates open/exposed bodies of water (rivers, wetlands, and springs) where people get drinking water

contaminates the roofs of houses where people usually collect rainwater for domestic use

contaminates people, animals, other crops

Why is there a need to ban aerial spraying?

Common occurrence. Children on the way to school is sprayed by pesticides.Subasta, Davao City. June 2006. Photo by Dags Magaway

Poor regulations on aerial spraying; lack of enforcement; lack of monitoring Regulations for aerial spraying not regularly

monitored by Fertilizers and Pesticides Authority because of lack of personnel and budget

No environmental health monitoring Vegetative buffer zones near schools, rivers,

public roads, and houses, not complied with by banana companies

In Alaska, the current required buffers to protect drinking water sources is 66 meters

Proposed buffer zones by different concerned organizations is >1 mile around drinking water.

Why is there a need to ban aerial spraying?

Yes Dr. Romy Quijano; Dr. Hernandez, et al Dr. Lynn Panganiban (Head of National

Poison Management and Control Center and Dr. N. Maramba (UP College of Medicine), et al

Kalusugan Alang sa Bayan (KAABAY) DOH study, 2006

Are there local and international studies that support the ban position?

Drs. Quijano,Hernandez, et al 11 out 24 individuals examined and

water samples from hand-pump well (source of drinking water in the community) were positive for ETU – ethylenethiourea (metabolite of mancozeb)

A spectrum of medical complaints and symptoms that is similar, if not identical to the symptoms of acute pesticide poisoning

Occurrence of diseases atypical in quality – severe anemia in young males and blood dyscrasias

The growth of plant and marine life were stunted since pesticide exposure;

Residents related that coconut trees that used to be their livelihood stopped bearing fruits. Raising pigs, chickens and other animals also proved to be very difficult because they could die when spraying occurs;

Meanwhile, fishermen complain about the regular occurrence of fish kills and scant catch as ever since the plantation started its operations

Toxic stories Kamukhaan, Digos Davao del

Sur

Toxic stories Kamukhaan, Digos Davao del Sur

Since 1980s, pesticides and herbicides are applied by banana plantation daily

Fungicide sprayed once or twice a month Residents nearby complain of strong and odorous

fumes every time aerial spraying is done Residents experience suffocation, weakness,

nausea, painful stinging of the eyes and itching Residents vulnerable to fever, vomiting, cough and

body aches, asthma, anemia, goiter, and cancer Residents believe frequent deaths in the village due

to these illnesses related to pesticide exposure

Toxic stories Kamukhaan, Digos Davao del Sur

Many cases of still birth Many cases of children with abnormalities

such as cleft palate and severe skin diseases Many cases of impaired mental development

among children Children have stunted growth, delayed

development of secondary sexual characteristics, suffer wasting and have mental deficiencies

Many residents exhibited signs and symptoms of tremors and palpitations suggestive of endocrine disruption

Clamor to ban aerial spraying

AS stopped in General Santos City in the 1980s

Bukidnon ban in 2001 North Cotabato ban in 2004 Davao City ban in 2007 Davao del Sur, Compostela Valley,

Davao del Norte residents clamor to be spared from poison rain!

From City Hall to the Courtroom

Plantations filed a case in court questioning the validity and constitutionality of the ordinance.

RTC upholds the validity of the ordinance CA reverses RTC ruling and declares the

ordinance unconstitutional

Pagpakita og Kusog sa Korte

Landmark case

Community assertion of their right to live, right to health and a healthy environment vs. business interest

Power and obligation of the LGU to protect public welfare vs corporate greed

Aerial spraying is just the tip of the iceberg . . .

The bigger problem is

corporate-led plantation style

agricultural system of

monocropping

Environmental costs Contamination of drinking water sources

-- groundwater and surface water Soil degradation Soil erosion and sedimentation of water Flashfloods Loss of biodiversity Global warming

Corporate-led agricultural system of monocropping is the problem

Health and food safety costs Pesticide poisoning in plantation

areas (Dr. Quijano study) Food contamination – pesticide found

in fish sample in Tugbok Food security costs

Massive conversion of actual and potential food production areas especially rice, corn, vegetable lands

Corporate-led agricultural system of monocropping is the problem

Circumvents agrarian reform Reversal of land access & control under

agrarian reform Enhances & facilitates corporate control

over the country’s agricultural and food production systems

Labor issues Labor contracting only widely practiced

in plantation areas Questionable contracts

Corporate-led agricultural system of monocropping is the problem

Policy issues MTPDP – 2 million hectares for

plantations, 1 million hectares of which in Mindanao

DENR Administrative Order 2003-30 New NCIP regulation on FPIC

Corporate-led agricultural system of monocropping is the problem

Who are against the ban?Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association AMS Group of Companies, Inc (Sorianos of Mindanao) Sumifru Philippines (Japanese MNC) ANFLO Group of Companies (Floirendos) Alip River Development and Export Corporation Del Monte Fresh Produce Philippines (MNC) La Frutera Incorporated (MNC) Lapanday Foods Corporation (Lorenzos) Hijo Resources Corporation Diamond Farms Inc Dizon Group of Companies (Dizons) Marsman-Drysdale Group of Companies (MNC) Nader and Ebrahim Hassan Philippines Saranggani Agricultural Company Inc (Domiguez) Nova Vista Management and Development Corporation Dole Stanfilco (MNC) Tristar Group of Banana Companies (Ayalas of Davao)

Croplife – pesticide companies BASF Bayer Cropscience Dow Agrosciences Dupont FMC Monsanto Syngenta Sumitomo

Who are against the ban?

Common occurrence. Children on the way to school is sprayed by pesticides.Subasta, Davao City. June 2006. Photo by Dags Magaway

As the government dilly-dallies and beyond the legal and technical issues;

The reality is, people in Mindanao continue to be sprayed with poison from airplanes.

Thank you!

Please visitwww.dirtybananas.org And sign the on-line petition