Farmers in Paraguay in Fight over Crop Protection Products
Farm groups say new rules would make it impossible to farm.
Compiled by staff
Published: Jun 29, 2009
Paraguay's farmers are fighting potential new restrictions on the crop protection products they can use. Farm groups say it will be impossible to comply with the decrees made by regulators; so they're holding out for a new law passed by the legislature. However, there's been no decision yet, according to Dow Jones reports.
Farmers are threatening to strike and launch tractor-convoy protests against the original decree. The tighter rules would limit spraying herbicides to at least 100 yards from waterways, wetlands, roads and populated areas. Farmers claim the toughest rule would be an environmental impact statement, which must be approved prior to spraying.
In addition, written notice of crop protection product use would be required to residents along with announcements on local radio and television channels at least 24 hours in advance. In addition, the decree would require that an official from the agricultural health and quality service be present at the time of spraying at the farmer's cost.
Soybean planting would start in October, and Paraguayan producers want the pesticide use rules ironed out before then.
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Tagged: farm, soybean, tractor, the farmer, pesticide
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