By Mary Grace Padin
Banana growers and exporters said on Tuesday that detractors of aerial spraying over banana plantations have yet to prove its ill effects to villagers living near plantation areas.
The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) said aerial spraying is a “generally accepted agricultural practice” by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) under certain limitations, which the banana industry is strictly adopting.
“A multisectoral monitoring team that is focused on banana plantations oversees the compliance of these regulations,” PBGEA Executive Director Stephen Antig said in a statement.
“[We are] inviting the seven party-list lawmakers who are pushing for a ban on aerial spraying over banana plantations and other agricultural crops to visit Mindanao and see for themselves how the industry is mindful of the health of the people,” Antig added.
The House Committee on Ecology, chaired by Rep. Amado S. Bagatsing of the Fifth District of Manila, is currently reviewing House Bill (HB) 3857, which calls for a ban on aerial spraying.
The bill is authored by Gabriela Women’s Party-list Reps. Luzviminda Ilagan and Emmi de Jesus of Gabriela; Reps. Neli Colmenares and Carlos Isagani Zarate of Bayan Muna; Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers; Rep. Fernando Hicap of Anakpawis; and Rep. Terry Ridon of Kabataan.
Antig said the issue on aerial spraying has been extensively discussed during a congressional hearing held in Davao City in November 2009. The public hearing was presided by House Committee on Ecology Chairman Belma Cabilao with the participation of other congressmen.
He said that during the hearing, the anti-aerial non-governmental organizations were exposed “lying, inventing” ill effects of aerial spraying to villagers living near the plantation areas.
“The very survival of the industry rests on the health and well-being of our growers, the workers, their families and the communities around our farmlands, which must be protected from all forms of environmental degradation, and never did we sacrifice people’s health and integrity of the environment for our rich harvests,” Antig said.
PBGEA claimed that a fact-finding investigation conducted by Davao City officials in 2009 concluded that there was no scientific evidence to support the ban against aerial spraying in banana plantations in Davao City.
“Aerial spraying is considered to be the most effective and cost-efficient method of fungicide application. It was first introduced in the banana industry of Latin America in 1958,” according to the report of the fact-finding team.
“A review of the medical records in a tertiary hospital found no cases of untoward manifestations due to exposure to aerial spraying. Most of the cases of poisoning were orally taken,” the report added.
The Philippines is the world’s second-largest exporter of fresh bananas. The top major export destinations for fresh cavendish bananas are Japan, China, Korea, the Middle East and New Zealand, with stringent policies on food product.
7 comments
These NGOs just don’t seem to get it! Aerial spraying is generally practiced worldwide and it is proved safe. Ubos na ba pera ninyo at nag-iingay na naman kayo? Unbelievable!
Makes you wonder what the real agenda is, right? Clearly aerial spraying is a safe practice, so why these frantic push to ban it?
The self styled NGO’s pushing for the ban on aerial spraying has been persona non grata’d in the Davao Region because they’ve been proven to be liars and manipulators kaya sa Manila na naman nagkakalat. THese allegations are recycled and have been debunked by the best scientific minds.
Technologies and experts have proven that aerial spraying is safe. It is being practiced anywhere in the world. Why are these NGOs insisting otherwise? Sinong paniniwalaan mo, yung experto o yung nagmamarunong?
Aerial spraying is a safe and widely used practice in agriculture. These allegations or environmental risks have no foundation and are based on hearsay and lies.
Our government should rely on real research when coming up with a decision on this issue. These groups calling for a ban on aerial spraying are basing their allegations on unfounded assumptions. Aerial spraying has been proven to be a safe means of fungicide application and is widely used worldwide.
When it comes to the Philippine governmentm it usually depends on who’s backing which lawmaker. Hopefully they put aside selfish political aspirations for now and collectively move to save the banana industry.