ministers heard on "environmental scandal"

The parliamentary inquiry committee on Chlordecone is hearing four ministers this week. This Monday, October 14, she heard the Minister of Research, Frederique Vidal, and that of Health, Agnes Buzyn. Auditions that close several months of investigations on this pesticide as effective as dangerous, used in banana plantations in the Caribbean between 1972 and 1993. An "environmental scandal", acknowledged last year Emmanuel Macron.

Research, health, food, compensation … Research ministers, Frederique Vidal and Health, Agnes Buzyn, were interviewed on Monday, October 14, by members of the parliamentary inquiry committee on Chlordecone. Tuesday, October 15, the Minister of Overseas, Annick Girardin and the Minister of Agriculture, Didier Guillaume, Thursday, October 17.

Chlordecone: This pesticide was widely used in Guadeloupe and Martinique in banana plantations, between 1972 and 1993, to fight black weevil. Effective, it was also furiously toxic, which nobody was unaware at the time of its release. Banned in the United States in 1975, it was in France in 1990 and, thanks to two exemptions, only in 1993 in the West Indies.

It has contaminated farmland, rivers, sea, root vegetables, but also bodies. This endocrine disruptor increases the risk of illness (especially prostate cancer), premature births. "An environmental scandal"acknowledged President Macron last year.

The research ? She is " Out of order ", "Poorly coordinated "Attacked the chairman of the committee, the deputy Serge Letchimy. The Martinican has, as he says "The tone of a wounded man"who has "Chlordecone in the blood"as 95% of the 800,000 inhabitants of the West Indies. He wants the issue of chlordecone to be a "National strategic priority". Especially in terms of soil remediation, it is necessary to "Change gear".

To bring out solutions

Frederic Vidal reminds that a 4^e Chlordecone plan is in preparation for 2020. And that in the next environmental health plan, a specific component is devoted to chlordecone. It details the studies in progress, the money put on the table. "You drown the fish"he blames Letchimy. Vidal promises reinforced steering, "A better interdisciplinary approach that will allow solutions to emerge".

The Minister of Health, Agnes Buzyn soothes the commission by recognizing the "State responsibility". The Minister of Health also recognizes that on chlordecone, the vast majority of the inhabitants of the Antilles do not know what the state does. " .

Associate the population

For this, the 4^e Chlordecone plan will have to be "Co-constructed"with the people, so that he speaks in everyday life. "An imperative for it to be useful". The minister has a leitmotif: the food of the inhabitants who today, do not know if they eat them or not. Because chlordecone is in the land for several hundred years. A situation " insupportable ", and "Terribly agonizing"says Agnes Buzyn.

Gold "We now have the means to protect ourselves against chlordecone" she insists, following the recommendations, particularly in terms of culture. For example? " ATabsolutely avoid root vegetables, have your garden tested, buy vegetables and fruits controlled" , and therefore not those sold on the roadside.

It also indicates that the table of occupational diseases associated with chlordecone is being revised, "To make life easier for exposed workers".The issue of compensation is already on the table.

But the path will be long. On the consequences of Chlordecone, the Minister acknowledged that "We are clearing" . While this"Drama"lasts since"48 years", counted Serge Letchimy.

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Chlordecone: Ministers Heard about "Environmental Scandal"Ouest-France.fr

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