French media vividly reacted to the government’s commitment to limit harm of chemicals
Ségolène Royal, one of key socialist figures, at present French minister of Ecology, declared on June 14, 2015 her will to withdraw from the sale (shopping for the gardens) pesticide Roundup producing by American company Monsanto.
The target is to protect gardeners from incorrect use of additives and lack of product information and its analogues. The analogues, alternative bio-pesticides, sparked a lively discussion, because its active ingredient – pelargonic acid, it is not harmless.
The restriction will come into force on January 01, 2015. At the moment it is basic pesticide, using by 17 million French gardeners (2 mln tons yearly in addition to agribusiness 8.5 million tons).
Pesticides (from latin pestis — infection and caedo — kill) are chemical means, using against pests and plant diseases, weeds and microbes.
The pesticide’s active substance is glyphosate, which is, upon data of World Health Organization’s CIRC, may cause human’s cancer.
Monsanto is active globally, including Russia, and produces genetically-modified seeds in addition to pesticides. «Our products help farmers to support the integrity and productivity of the soil», – is written on official company’s Website. Monsanto works jointly with academies and universities.
In response to French restrictions, the manufacturer declared that, if the harm of the drug has not been proven, the information of usage on the nameplate is enough for buyers.
In Russia the above pesticide is selling under tradenames Roundup, Glifor, Tornado and Uragan. The genetically-modified seeds were officially approved for use in Russia from July 01, 2014. At the same time production of GMO and its import is is prohibited without permission.
