The Workers of the Endosulfan family in India say that they have been exposed to endosulfan for over 30 years. Yet none of the farmers have had any health problems. The FRAUD NIOH study has been referred to widely in international conventions and by regulatory authorities worldwide in seeking a ban on Endosulfan. If a ban takes place then the condition of the workers will be worse. The workers seek support for a withdrawal of the NIOH report on Endosulfan by writing to the Prime Minister of India to let their voice be heard. Are you with them?
Por estos dos motivos, defensa de JOH solicita repetir juicio
Hear our voice – endosulfan workers of India
1. HEAR OUR VOICE – ENDOSULFAN WORKERS OF INDIA
We are the union of Endosulfan manufacturing units in India. We have been reading several media
reports related to Endosulfan and its alleged linkage to many physical ailments in Kerala, India.
Endosulfan was invented, manufactured, traded also used in Europe for 55 years. Endosulfan is a generic
insecticide manufactured and supplied on large scale by India at most reasonable prices since last 10
years. Endosulfan is safe to pollinators and beneficial insects and is one of the largest generic pesticides
in use worldwide. Over 45 million litres of Endosulfan is used globally with an on farm value in excess of
US$ 300 million (Rs.1350 crore). It is widely used in agricultural economies such as India, China, Brazil,
Argentina, South Africa, etc.
There have been allegations that exposure to Endosulfan is causing abnormal human health effects,
birth defects, infertility, and a host of other illnesses. Most of these allegations have originated from
Kasargod in Kerala where such abnormalities have been reported. The same allegations have also been
made from Belthangady taluka in Karnataka. The phtograph of Shruti, a child with abnormal birth
defects has been used as proof in both Kerala and Karnataka. All problems in Kerala are alleged to be
happening due to aerial spray of Endosulfan. It would be interesting to know that there are no problems
relating to aerial spray of Endosulfan anywhere in the world. It is extensively applied by aerial
application in several countries and there are no reports of birth defects anywhere else. There are no
problems health problems anywhere in India where Endosulfan is extensively used.
In India alleged reports linking endosulfan to physical problems have been repeatedly investigated. Six
committees appointed by the Government of India have concluded that there is no evidence linking
Endosulfan to physical ailments. Endosulfan has undergone trial by media for over 8 years. Inspite of this
a few NGO’s led by Ms Sunita Narain of CSE (Centre for Science and Environment) and Thanal and
supported internationally by PAN (Pesticide Action Network), EJF (Environment Justice Foundation) and
I‐PEN (International POP’s Elimination Network) have used the internet and media to generate negative
public perception against Endosulfan by repeatedly publishing gruesome photographs of children with
abnormal birth defects. When eminent scientists like Dr M S Swaminathan, who is on the Board of CSE,
also lend their voice supporting a call for a ban on Endosulfan without understanding the scientific facts
and without choosing to talk to us, what do we do? There is extensive funding by the European Union to
these NGO’s with an objective of forming pressure groups which in turn serve the interests of European
business. Why should we lose our jobs just because their economy is under pressure?
We represent the Endosulfan family in India. We are 6000 families directly supporting over 24,000
persons and lakhs of farmers in India. We have had direct exposure to Endosulfan while working at the
factory and the farmers while using them in the farm. Some of us have been exposed to Endosulfan for
over 20, 25 and even 30 years. Yet none of us have had any health problems. We are ready to offer
samples of our blood for testing to prove that Endosulfan does not cause any health issues. Among us
are also Endosulfan workers from Kerala who are ready to offer their blood for testing. These workers,
our brothers from Kerala are in constant fear as none of the elected representatives dare challenge the
position orchestrated by the NGO’s. They are in fear of trial by media.
2. Endosulfan has polarized the world opinion in the debate on generic versus patented chemicals. The
European Commission few years ago decided to nominate Endosulfan for inclusion in Rotterdam
Convention under Prior Inform Consent (PIC) and in 2007 for inclusion in Stockholm Convention on
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Based on the recommendation of POP Review Committee, the
Stockholm Convention’s Conference of Parties is expected to decide on its listing as a POP during their
meeting in April 2011. The estimated replacement value of Endosulfan is expected to be over US$ 1000
million (Rs.4500 crores).
Endosulfan has been proposed by EU for a ban citing precautionary measure for its impact on human
health. EU‐funded environmental NGOs and lobby at the international trade related conventions such as
Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions have extensively quoted judgments based on a study titled
“Report of the investigations of unusual illnesses allegedly produced by Endosulfan exposure in Padre
village, of Kasargode district (N. Kerala)” made by National Institute of Occupational Health,
Ahmadabad.
We have learnt that fundamental flaws in the NIOH study have been observed by scientists and lawyers.
To understand the errors, several applications were made by experts under the Right to Information Act.
We have also learnt that NIOH did not respond to request for parting with raw data until the
intervention of the Chief Information Commissioner, the appellate authority at the NIOH. The case was
heard at the Information Commission and it took two orders by the Chief Information Commissioner for
NIOH’s appellate authority to finally handover the 1700 pages of raw data. Experts examined the raw
data and learned that the analysis conducted by NIOH had laboratory flaws beyond any doubt. The NIOH
study has been referred to widely in international conventions and by regulatory authorities worldwide
in seeking a ban on Endosulfan.
We are hurt. Our experience and our opinion are not even being considered. We have no option but to
protest and let our voice be heard by the representatives that we elected to represent us in the
Government. There are 6000 workers engaged in manufacturing of Endosulfan and lakhs of farmers who
have a tangible experience of working with Endosulfan. The NGOs have failed to address this experience
of farmers and workers of Endosulfan. On November 15, 2010 about 10000 families representing the
workers as well as farmers walked a silent protest to present a memorandum to District Collector,
Bhavnagar district – demanding immediate withdrawal of the NIOH report. The families were supported
by the local Member of Legislative Assembly – Mrs Vibhavari Dave and the Member of Parliament – Mr
Rajendra Sinh Rana.
Mr Rana has not only supported the workers by joining them in the rally but for the past one year has
made several representations to the Prime Minister ‐ Dr. Manmohan Singh, Minister of Environment &
Forests – Mr Jairam Ramesh and Ministry of Health – Mr Gulam Nabi Azad seeking immediate action and
withdrawal for the flawed report by NIOH.
Please support our efforts in seeking a withdrawal of the NIOH report on Endosulfan by writing to the
Prime Minister of India. Please help us to let our voice be heard.