The Federal Office for Agriculture is set to open consultations on its review of 15 pesticide products that contain chlorothalonil, a fungicide in use since the 1970s to protect cereal crops from diseases.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/gw
Starting Tuesday, environmental groups will have a chance to comment on the results of the review, which include findings of high levels of the active substance in Swiss groundwater. Last June drinking water in a village in canton Fribourg had to be cut after excessive amounts of chlorothalonil were discovered.
The agricultural office, in collaboration with the Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs, is considering withdrawing approval for all pesticides containing this agent. A decision is expected in the autumn, the office said on Monday.
According to the World Health Organisation, chlorothalonil is especially toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Exposure to the agent can cause kidney and stomach damage, including tumours, in rodents. A ban on the substance will take effect in the European Union in 2020, following conclusions from the European Food Safety Authority that the agent could pose a health risk.
The Swiss authorities say the requirements for approval of plant protection products have been tightened in recent years.
“Products that were eligible for approval 20 years ago are not necessarily the same today,” the agricultural office stated. Earlier this year, swissinfo.ch reported that the pesticide approval process in Switzerland is currently being reviewed by an external audit firm.
The government is taking measures against contaminated drinking water with its action plan to reduce pesticide pollution and the Agricultural Policy 22+, but critics say these do not go far enough. Two popular initiatives on drinking water are pending. Although the government has rejected these, voters are likely to have the final say next year.
More
More
Pesticide companies ‘seriously deficient’ on human rights, says UN toxics expert
This content was published on
The UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics believes pesticide companies and the Swiss government should do more to phase out hazardous chemicals.
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland nurtures secrecy on pesticides
This content was published on
Swiss pesticide approval procedures are still far from transparent, fueling strong suspicions of collusion between the authorities and industry.
Pesticide residues found on 93% of organic Swiss farms
This content was published on
Most fields on organic farms in Switzerland are contaminated with pesticides, according to a study by the University of Neuchâtel.
This content was published on
A UN representative is demanding action following reports that Swiss crop science company Syngenta is selling highly hazardous pesticides abroad.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.