Act against pesticide companies

BANGALORE: The three-day trial session of  The Permanent People’s Tribunal (PPT) on Agrochemical Transnational Corporations organised by the Pesticide Action Network International ended in the city on Tuesday. The jurors released the verdict of the trial session.  The verdict seeks lawful prosecution of the Agrochemical Transnational Corporations and legal action against them, assistance to the victims to take precautions, prevention of companies which try to support producers of harmful pesticides, support for international bodies to act on the issue, assistance and instructions to scientists, regulatory bodies for creating a safer environment. The verdict was delivered by a team comprising six members which included scientists, political economists and doctors, after hearing testimonials from victims of pesticide poisoning, scientists and other health experts which strongly pointed the culpability of the six major  agrochemical transnational corporations. Chairing the session, former President of the Indian Society of International Law Upendra Baxi said the United Nation agencies like the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and International Labour Organisation (ILO) need to take up more proactive role to bring about regulations on the usage of various chemicals and pesticides affecting the humanity.   There has been lack of accountability and bringing about a proper mechanism to check these transnational corporations producing agrochemicals is highly essential. More than 50 million people are exposed to the pesticides, and this has been one of the major reasons leading to chronic endocrinal problem, breast cancer and hormonal problem among                   people who are exposed to it, said Sarojeni V Rengam,Executive Director, Pesticide Action Network,Asia Pacific.“After the announcement of this verdict, we will begin with campaign on corporate accountability. We will write to the companies about the verdict as well as the discussion held. We will discuss the matter with Parliamentarians and politicians” she said.