Paraguay Pushes Tougher Chemical Standards
Farmers and the government in fight over more restrictions on crop protection products.
Compiled by staff
Published: Jul 6, 2009
Last week, Paraguay's president made a partial veto of a farmer-backed bill on crop protection product use. That partial veto will allow a restrictive decree on ag chemicals to go into effect in August. Farmer groups in the country have told wire services the new rules could paralyze farm production for the country.
Farm groups are threatening to strike and launch tractor-convoy protests against the decree, which will now go into effect in mid-August. It limits spraying of crop protection products to at least 100 years from waterways, wetlands, roads and populated areas.
In addition, farmers must file an environmental impact statement that must be approved prior to spraying. In addition, written notice must be provided to residents and announcements placed in local radio and television channels at least 24 hours ahead of spraying, according to a Dow Jones newswire report. And finally, an official from the agricultural health and quality service - called Senave - must be present during spraying, at the farmer's cost.
If spraying is called off, the entire process must be repeated. Paraguay is the fourth largest exporter of soybeans in the world.
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Tagged: farm, soybeans, tractor, the farmer, crop protection products
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