European Union move to push listing of Endosulfan

The Pesticide Manufacturers and Formulators Association of India (PMFAI) held a press conference and invited speakers who pointed to European Union’s (EU) role in steering proceedings at international chemical conventions.

The Stockholm Convention has been exploited by European Commission to further its trade interests as world market leader in crop protection chemicals. A push for elimination of the generic pesticide endosulfan will directly promote the use of patented alternatives and benefit European multinationals.

The meeting was addressed by senior members from the International Stewardship Centre Inc. (ISC) – a non-profit organization registered in Washington D.C. that holds an observer status at these conventions.  Along with ISC there was participation from Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI) which is focused on advancing the cause of Indian farmers through better crop protection. The speakers shared their experiences and highlighted the current status of endosulfan and the proceedings that are likely to impact India and its agriculture in the months ahead.

Speaking to the press, Pradip Dave, President – Pesticide Manufacturers and Formulators Association of India (PMFAI) gave an overview of the international chemical trade. “Europe is a leader in the international chemicals trade which includes crop protection chemicals. The global crop protection market is valued at over US$ 40 billion. The top three companies which dominate this business are all European and account for over 50% of the global market. This market share has been built with a strong focus on patented and proprietary crop protection chemicals supported by strong regulations, driven by the European standards.” “This has been the motivation for European multinationals to replace “low priced generics” with their “expensive patented alternatives”, added Mr Dave.

The European Union (EU) has been pushing for a global ban on endosulfan by proposing its inclusion in the Stockholm Convention as a Persistent Organic Pollutant. As an observer at the Stockholm Convention, Mr Charles Hanson - Executive Director of International Stewardship Centre Inc. shared that, “Aggressive campaigning by the EU and environmental NGO’s supported and funded by the EU, has resulted in a number of countries announcing a ban on endosulfan.” Echoing the EU call, the Chemical Review Committee of the Stockholm Convention recommended the listing of endosulfan as a Persistent Organic Pollutant despite significant data gaps and without a clear consensus on the decision.

endosulfan is the third largest selling insecticide worldwide. Invented in Germany over 55 years ago, today it accounts for a global market in excess of 40 million liters valued at over US$ 300 million. Mr R. Hariharan – Chairman, International Stewardship Centre Inc. (ISC) shared, “Indian companies account for over 70% of this market which has come at the cost of the European manufacturers. The replacement value of endosulfan by patented alternative is estimated to be in excess

of US$ 1 billion. As a result, endosulfan is today in the eye of the storm in the battle of “patented” versus “generic” pesticides.”

“A ban will result in a replacement of endosulfan by alternatives which are ten times more expensive and will be damaging to the farm ecosystem as most of these are known to be harmful to pollinators such has honeybees. In Germany and France use of endosulfan was substituted by neo-nicotinoids which resulted in entire colonies of honeybees getting wiped out” stated, Mr Anil Kakkar – Director, Crop Care Federation of India. These high priced alternatives will directly benefit European Companies. By pushing for a ban on endosulfan, EU is promoting the interest of European Trade.

The push for ban is being implemented through the regulatory actions as well as restrictive trade practices. For instance, the EU has refused to import Indian tea if the growers used endosulfan. Mr Hariharan shared the Indian Tea industry’s concerns that, EU has unilaterally revised the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) in tea and in doing so has moved away from the internationally accepted CODEX standards. Similarly, there have been restrictions on use of endosulfan by Cocoa farmers in West Africa. These restrictions have resulted in elimination of endosulfan as a choice of crop protection for farmers across 21 African countries which depend on EU as a market for their export. 

While taking a decision on endosulfan at the Stockholm Convention, members and observers from several countries noticed a number of irregularities as well as procedural abuse by the Persistent Organic Pollutant Review Committee (POPRC). A recommendation was pushed through by voting as against a decision by consensus. India has strongly opposed the POPRC recommendations to list endosulfan in light of the procedural abuse and irregularities. India’s submissions in form of protest and dissent notes to voice its concerns, unfortunately have not been given due recognition. A number of countries including China and Ghana have supported the view that substantive decisions at the Convention needs to be taken by consensus and have opposed decision by voting.

The Conference of Parties of the Stockholm Convention will be meeting during last week of April 2011 in Geneva to take a decision on the recommendation of the POPRC. Any decision to approve the POPRC recommendation to list endosulfan will go against Indian interest and the interest of small and marginal farmers worldwide. It would also result in its replacement by alternatives which are more expensive and harmful to the farm ecosystem while benefiting the European industry.

endosulfan is a broad spectrum, generic insecticide used in a variety of crops to control over 60 different pests. The unique chemistry of endosulfan has ensured that the farmer is able to protect his farm ecosystem while dealing with pest infestation. Farmers used endosulfan extensively in cross pollinated crops where successful Honey bee pollination plays an important role. endosulfan is the only ‘in-use’ generic pesticide known to be soft on pollinators such as Honey bees and beneficial insects. India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the world. It is also one of the largest producer and exporter of honey.  Hence, there is a great need of a bee-soft pesticide for the Indian farmers.