Brazil’s Federal Public Prosecutor Requests Total Ban Of Glyphosate Herbicides

– Brazil’s Federal Public Prosecutor Requests Total Ban of Glyphosate Herbicides (Sustainable Pulse, March 26, 2014):

The Brazilian Federal Public Prosecutor in the Federal District has requested the Justice Department to suspend the use of glyphosate – the most widely used herbicide in Brazil. In addition, the prosecutor wants to challenge 2,4-D and the active ingredients methyl parathion, lactofem, phorate, carbofuran, abamectin, tiram and paraquat.

Source: www.agrolink.com.br/noticias/minist–233-rio-p–250-blico-quer-proibir-uso-do-glifosato_193190.html

Two actions have been filed. “The first measure seeks to compel the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) to reevaluate the toxicity of eight active ingredients suspected of causing damage to human health and the environment. On another front, the agency questions the registration of pesticides containing 2,4-D herbicide, applied to combat broadleaf weeds,” explains the prosecutor on his website.

The two actions request a preliminary injunction whereby the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) would suspend the registration of the products until a final conclusion about their toxicity is reached by ANVISA.

In the civil lawsuit contesting the registration of the herbicide 2,4-D, the prosecutor asks that the National Biosafety Technical Commission (CTNBio) is prohibited from releasing the commercialization of transgenic seeds resistant to these herbicides pending a final position by ANVISA.

This news comes as another huge blow to the biotech industry, following as it does last week’s ruling  by Brazil’s Federal Appeals Court that unanimously decided to cancel the release for cultivation of Bayer’s Liberty Link GM Maize.