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2009/07/19 18:16 Central News Agency (By Yang Shu-min, Taipei, July 19, 2009, CNA)
The Department of Health's revision of the residue standards for the highly toxic pesticide endosulfan has raised concerns. Domestic toxicology expert Lin Chieh-liang stated that there are already calls within the United States to review and phase out endosulfan, and Taiwan should also establish a sunset clause to completely ban endosulfan to safeguard public health.
On March 29, the Executive Yuan's Department of Health announced a revised version of the safety tolerance standards for pesticide residues, relaxing the endosulfan residue limits for agricultural products such as apples, cherries, peaches, and potatoes from "undetectable" to varying levels between 0.2ppm and 0.5ppm. However, it simultaneously tightened the residue standards for crops originally using endosulfan in Taiwan, such as dry beans, leafy vegetables, and small-leaf greens.
Lin Chieh-liang, director of the Clinical Toxicology Department at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, told CNA reporters that stricter standards for domestic crops are a positive step, but relaxing the endosulfan residue standards for apples and other agricultural products is "taking a step backward." "Why accommodate foreigners?"
He said endosulfan is a highly toxic pesticide with cumulative effects and should not be used at all. "It should be outright banned. Why leave a loophole that allows others to justify exporting crops with endosulfan residues to Taiwan?"
Lin noted that while the U.S. currently sets the endosulfan residue standard for apples at 1ppm, many groups within the U.S. are criticizing the government for still permitting its use and are pressuring for a ban. The U.S. government is also facing significant domestic debate and struggles to respond to public opinion.
He argued that the Department of Health should establish a sunset clause, mandating a complete ban on endosulfan after a certain period. This would prevent the government from being "unjustifiable" when facing strong external pressure, especially since a few domestic crops are still registered for endosulfan powder use. It would also better ensure public health, environmental ecology, and farmers' rights.
Source: http:/ / tw. stock. yahoo. com/ ne……/ url/ d/ a/ 090719/ 1/ 1lar8. html
Experts Urge Sunset Clause to Ban Endosulfan Completely
The Department of Health's revision of the residue standards for the highly toxic pesticide endosulfan has raised concerns. Domestic toxicology expert Lin Chieh-liang stated that there are already calls within the United States to review and phase out endosulfan, and Taiwan should also establish a sunset clause to completely ban endosulfan to safeguard public health.
On March 29, the Executive Yuan's Department of Health announced a revised version of the safety tolerance standards for pesticide residues, relaxing the endosulfan residue limits for agricultural products such as apples, cherries, peaches, and potatoes from "undetectable" to varying levels between 0.2ppm and 0.5ppm. However, it simultaneously tightened the residue standards for crops originally using endosulfan in Taiwan, such as dry beans, leafy vegetables, and small-leaf greens.
Lin Chieh-liang, director of the Clinical Toxicology Department at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, told CNA reporters that stricter standards for domestic crops are a positive step, but relaxing the endosulfan residue standards for apples and other agricultural products is "taking a step backward." "Why accommodate foreigners?"
He said endosulfan is a highly toxic pesticide with cumulative effects and should not be used at all. "It should be outright banned. Why leave a loophole that allows others to justify exporting crops with endosulfan residues to Taiwan?"
Lin noted that while the U.S. currently sets the endosulfan residue standard for apples at 1ppm, many groups within the U.S. are criticizing the government for still permitting its use and are pressuring for a ban. The U.S. government is also facing significant domestic debate and struggles to respond to public opinion.
He argued that the Department of Health should establish a sunset clause, mandating a complete ban on endosulfan after a certain period. This would prevent the government from being "unjustifiable" when facing strong external pressure, especially since a few domestic crops are still registered for endosulfan powder use. It would also better ensure public health, environmental ecology, and farmers' rights.
Source: http:/ / tw. stock. yahoo. com/ ne……/ url/ d/ a/ 090719/ 1/ 1lar8. html