Pesticides and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU. For more information please contact Anne Stauffer, anne@env-health.org

On 23 February, the European Parliament’s Environment Committee will discuss rapporteur’s Christa Klass draft report on the Revision of the EU Biocides Law. In their Council meeting in December, EU Environment Ministers stressed the criteria for excluding certain hazardous biocides for environmental reasons should be strengthened. The ENVI Committee is scheduled to vote on its report on 26 April.

HEAL’s action on pesticides and health

In January HEAL published a report together with PAN UK on its findings from a school survey. The results are alarming: in schools, children may be exposed to at least four potentially cancer causing pesticides. The snapshot of English, Welsh and Scottish school authorities also revealed that 7 of the pesticides used in schools may have other serious negative health impacts.

The report was picked up well in UK media - see more here.

On 19th January, as part of the Sick of Pesticides campaign, HEAL and member organisation MDRGF launched a new campaign to help victims of pesticide poisoning. The launch of Victimes des pesticides held in Poiters, France brought together farmers from throughout France whose health has been affected by pesticides, some giving powerful testimonials about their illnesses.

The UK Ecologist published an article about the "victimes de pesticides" network –Pesticides and cancer: victims fight for justice, 4 Feb 2010.

HEAL will be extending the Sick of Pesticide Campaign to three new countries – the Netherlands, Belgium and Hungary. Check out our campaign website for further information.

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