Women on Farms are calling for the German government to play a leadership role within Europe to ensure there is a Europe-wide, legislated ban on the production and export of prohibited pesticides. Photo by Vincent Lali
As reported by Vincent Lali in the original post on Elitsha – IN SUMMARY:
- Lebogang Ramafoko, executive director of Oxfam South Africa, led a march with the Women on Farms Project (WFP) demanding Germany stop exporting 67 hazardous pesticides to South Africa that are banned in Europe for health risks.
- Ramafoko criticized Germany for applying double standards in the pesticide trade, stating, “What is not good for Europeans is surely not good for Africans.”
- Colette Solomon, WFP director, called on the German government to lead Europe-wide legislation banning the production and export of highly hazardous pesticides.
- Elizabeth Nyembe, a farmworker from De Doorns, described how workers are exposed to pesticides while working without protective gear, leading to illness. Workers must pay for their medical treatment without compensation from farm owners.
- Matheko Mohobo, a farmworker from Rawsonville, added that the pesticides cause vaginal infections, asthma, and pregnancy complications due to exposure in the fields.
- WFP started campaigning in 2019 against the use of banned pesticides in South Africa, holding Germany accountable as many global pesticide producers are based there.WFP emphasized that farmworkers are forced to re-enter vineyards shortly after pesticide spraying and lack access to water to wash off the chemicals.
- A union treaty requires European Union member states to ban the production and export of prohibited pesticides, and WFP urges Germany to lead in enforcing this.
- The German Consulate has been given a memorandum demanding a meeting by 15 October with WFP, Oxfam Germany, and Oxfam South Africa. Helmut Wolfgang Schulz, the consulate’s office manager, received the memorandum, stating the demands would be processed.
