Swiss ban export of highly dangerous pesticides

Starting from next year, Switzerland will not allow the export of five hazardous plant protection products already banned in Switzerland.

The government approved the amendment to the law on chemical substances on Wednesday as part of measures to reduce risks associated with toxic chemicals. It added that the move is intended to help protect health and the environment in importing countries, particularly in the developing world.

In a statement, the government noted that 'Switzerland thus assumes its responsibilities as host country for the secretariat of various agreements on chemicals and as a production site for multinational manufacturers of plant production products'. 

Swiss NGO Public Eye welcomed the decision, saying in a press release that this sends a strong signal that Switzerland is putting an end to the 'double standards'. It also sees this as a message to industry that it should withdraw from the market of the most hazardous toxic chemicals.

Switzerland is the headquarters of agribusiness firm Syngenta, which is one of the key producers of pesticides. In 2017, Syngenta exported more than 126 tonnes of Polo insecticide, which contains diafenthiuron, from Switzerland: 75 tonnes to India, 50 tonnes to South Africa, and 1.5 tonnes to Colombia.