This report reveals the use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) in floriculture farms in Tamil Nadu, affecting children who work in these farms. Health symptoms of poisoning experienced by children, aged 9 to 13, include headaches, skin rashes, vomiting, fatigue, sleeplessness, tremors, dizziness, fever, and body pain. One-third of all children respondents reported becoming ill weekly.

Out of the total 109 pesticides brands identified by the children, farmers, and shop retailers, 82% contained HHPs. Out of the 44 HHPs identified in the study, 32 are already banned in one or more countries. Many of these pesticides have been proven to be highly toxic to bees, fatal if inhaled, likely carcinogenic, reproductive toxicants, endocrine disruptors, and very persistent in water and soil. Nine pesticides have been identified as particularly toxic to children: cypermethrin, lambdacyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos, monocrotophos, paraquat, glyphosate, dichlorvos, mancozeb, and permethrin. Paraquat and chlorpyrifos are restricted and not authorised by the Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee for use in flowers, yet were discovered to be used in floriculture farms where children work.

This report reveals the ground reality of glyphosate use in India based on field survey in seven Indian States. This study presents the fact that glyphosate use is happening in India violating the national regulations as well as the International Code of Conduct on Pesticides Management.

An order issued by the West Bengal Agriculture Department in 2019, quoting the Secretary of Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Government of India states that glyphosate formulations are ‘registered to be used in Tea Plantation Crop and non plantation area accompanying the Tea crop and any use beyond this is illegal and in violation of the insecticides Act, 1968 and Rules, 1971’. Ironically, this field study has noted at least 20 non-approved uses with 16 of them in food crops.

In the light of mounting evidences on the unacceptable health and environmental outcomes of glyphosate, the ground reality of its use in India is seen as an ‘anarchic’ scenario.  This would have undesirable impacts on soil health, farm productivity, food safety, agriculture trade, public health, as well as environmental wellbeing in the country. The scenario of glyphosate use thus necessitates the urgent need of eliminating it from India.

This report by PAN Asia Pacific and its partners highlights results of seven-country study on the impact of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) on people’s health and the environment. The report found that the agrochemical transnational corporations (TNCs), their subsidiaries as well as local pesticide manufacturers and distributors are producing and distributing HHPs that cause acute and chronic health effects particularly to children and other vulnerable people. These pesticides are also known to cause environmental damage and loss of biodiversity.

The results of the study were generated through PANAP’s Community Pesticide Action Monitoring (CPAM) as well as fact-finding missions. CPAM is a participatory action research approach to document and create awareness on pesticide impacts on human health and the environment. It involves community members who undertake the research, and encourages organizing and action

Pesticide Action Network (PAN India)  released its assessment report on the unfortunate incident of deaths and poisoings of small scale farmers and farm workers happened in Yavathmal due to inhalational and contact exposures to pesticides. This report shows ground reality of multitude of issues related to cotton farming right from seed to pesticide application practices, farming and working conditions, lack of proper access to information, etc. that have brought in the pathetic situation. The ground reality shows that national laws and International code of conduct on pesticide management among others are  grossly violated in Yavatmal.

Inhalational poisoning cases reach their peak during August and September. An analysis revealed that between July 6th and October 11th, 2017, 450 cases of inhalational poisonings due to exposure to pesticides are reported (by the time we prepare the report, more cases have come in). A junior doctor in the hospital said nausea, vomiting, head ache, sweating, restlessness, loose motions, fasciculation (muscle twitch), respiratory distress, pupil constriction, shivering, etc., were commonly noted among the pesticide poisoning cases.

This report presents kind of practices being pursued in selling paraquat dichloride, a toxic chemical, in India. Data collected from the State of West Bengal shows that practices are casual and basic, violating Indian national laws as well as the International Code of Conduct on Pesticides Management.

Illegal practices illustrated in the report reveal gross failure of the Indian pesticide regulatory system to rein in sellers and buyers. In a scenario of lax regulatory system and totally ignorant users, this report recommends immediate ban on the production, import, sale and use of paraquat dichloride in India, and adoption of non-chemical methods of weed management and agroecology.

This report is the outcome of a fact finding mission conducted in the aforementioned regions on behalf of the Global Network for the Right to Food and Nutrition (GNRTFN). PAN India was part of the fact finding mission. It investigates and analyses allegations of serious abuses of human rights on India’s tea plantations, in particular how poor working conditions undermine the human right to food and nutrition and related rights.

In sharp contrast to the images of tranquil, lush, green tea gardens, with which consumers are presented, tea plantation workers are paid poverty wages and endure appalling working conditions. Women, who make up 70% of the workforce, are especially affected.

As one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of tea, India’s tea industry employs more than 1,2 million people. Two regions, Assam and West Bengal, together produce over 70% of India’s tea and are also home to the worst working conditions for tea plantation workers in the country.

This book was originally launched by PAN International on 29^th September at the 4th International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM4) held in Geneva during 28^th September and 2^nd October 2015.  The resolution acknowledges that HHPs causes severe adverse effects on human health and the environment.  The ICCM4 has recognized highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) as an "issue of concern".  The conference in its resolution, supported concerted action to address HHPs and welcomed a strategy to address them that has been developed by UNEP, FAO and WHO.

Successful cases of agroecological farming in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe and USA, presented in the book, substantiating the long-standing claim that ecological principles applied to agriculture are effective tools in the management of pests, including weeds, and provide sustainable livelihoods to farmers and rural communities. The case studies show that agroecological farming can improve food security and strengthen food sovereignty, while providing better adaptation to climate change and reducing harmful environmental impacts.