DENR orders temporary ban on endosulfan

MANILA, Philippines - Citing its toxic effect on aquatic resources, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ordered a temporary ban on the importation, distribution and use of endosulfan. DENR Secretary Jose Atienza Jr. issued Memorandum Circular 2009-02 dated February 26, noting endosulfan is categorized as toxic to aquatic resources. “The temporary ban on endosulfan is consistent with the mandate of the DENR to protect the public and the environment from any undesirable risk hazards on its continued use," Atienza said in an article posted on the DENR website. He said the temporary ban will stay until the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) issues an official directive on the use of endosulfan, a dangerous pesticide. Also, the DENR noted various sectors have called on the government for the total ban of the chemical. The FPA banned the substance in 1993, but lifted the ban in 1995 to control the dreaded “pink disease" that threatened the country’s pineapple industry. Endosulfan, a highly toxic synthetic pesticide used on food and non-food crops including pineapples, first gained "publicity" last year in the wake of the MV Princess of the Stars tragedy. Several containers of the toxic substance triggered a ban on fishing in Sibuyan Island in Romblon, affecting many families who relied on fishing. Atienza said that if endosulfan is released to surface water or to the aquatic environment, it will "affect our fish resources." The DENR also noted alternatives to endosulfan that are less toxic and environment-friendly are now available. Earlier, the DENR, through its Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), conducted consultations with non-government organizations, industries and other relevant government agencies to include endosulfan in the Annex 3 of the Prior and Informed Consent of the Rotterdam Convention. Its inclusion would require parties to the Convention to get an export consent clearance from the recipient country before any trade of endosulfan. The Rotterdam Convention is an international agreement aimed at promoting shared responsibilities relative to the importation of hazardous chemicals. It also promotes sharing of information and contributes to the environmentally sound management of certain hazardous chemicals. - GMANews.TV