Turkey extends permission for five pesticides banned in EU countries

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in Turkey has extended the permission for the use of five pesticides for the second time while banning the use of two other pesticides.

With a decision dated November 19, the ministry banned the use of pesticides that contain the active ingredients of chlorpropham and oxadiazon.

The use of chloridazon, dimethoate, desmedipham, ethoprophos and linuron will be allowed due to the "lack of alternatives," the ministry stated. All seven pesticides are banned in European Union (EU) countries.

Two years ago, the ministry asked for opinions from universities and the plant protection sector about 41 pesticides, including these seven pesticides, the Buğday (Sheat) Association for Supporting Ecological Life said in a statement.

The association had prepared a report entitled "The Mortal Hazard" about the pesticides in question, said the association's general manager, Batur Şehirlioğlu.

"The permission of the use of these pesticides by the ministry reassures companies rather than farmers and the people and paves the way for [the companies] to destock," said Şehirlioğlu.

Twenty-seven pesticides have been banned since the association launched a campaign in November 2019, he noted.

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Ethoprophos is used in viticulture and greenhouse vegetable production, according to a report by the Buğday Association. However, the fact that 102,705 tons of organic grape was produced in an area of 5,251 hecates in Manisa in 2020 shows that it is not needed in viticulture, it said.

Also, there are alternatives to dimethoate on the market, contrary to the ministry's statement, the association noted.

There are also alternatives to linuron, an ingredient that has a wide range of uses, according to the association.

Poison-free agriculture
The Buğday Association said many farmers both in the world and in Turkey do organic farming by enriching the soil with organic substances, cultivating products that support each other and cultivating seasonal products.

Nature-friendly farming methods such as organic, biodynamic, protective and regenerative agriculture and agroecology contribute positively to the solution of the global climate crisis, as they also provide a significant amount of carbon to be embedded in the soil, according to the association.

As part of its "Poison-free Tables" campaign, the association demands a ban on nine pesticides that are found to be "extremely hazardous," "highly hazardous" and "possibly carcinogenic": ethoprophos, beta-cyfluthrin, zeta-cypermethrin, fenamiphos, formetanate X formetanate hydrochloride, tefluthrin, zinc phosphide, glyphosate, and malathion.

Inspections on pesticides used in agricultural and food products in Turkey should be increased, and transparency should be ensured regarding the inspection results, the association further noted.