The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) is 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 and the protection of the environment. These plantations are relying on scientific research and development and advanced technologies.
Under consideration by the Committee on Ecology chaired by Rep. Amado S. Bagatsing (5th District, Manila) is HB 3857 entitled ‘An Act prohibiting aerial spraying as a method of applying chemicals and similar substances on agricultural crops.
The bill is authored by Gabriela Women’s Partylist Reps. Luzviminda Ilagan and Emmi De Jesus; BAYAN Muna Reps. Neli Colmenares and Carlos Isagani Zarate; ACT Teachers’ Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio; Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Fernando Hicap; and Kabataan Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon.
Aerial spraying is a generally accepted agricultural practice by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations under certain limitations which the banana industry is strictly adopting otherwise its importers might stop buying from them. A multi-sectoral monitoring team that focused on banana plantations oversees the compliance of these regulations.
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.
PBGEA Executive Director Stephen Antig said, “the allegations against aerial spraying are recycled and have been answered long time ago. We invite the proponents to visit Davao and see for yourselves how we do things. If need be, you can talk to the people in Camocaan or talk to your colleagues, the former members of the Committee on Ecology, some of whom are still in Congress while others are still in the same committee. We are hopeful that the critical-mindedness and scientific objectivity of our government policy makers will prevail.”
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 chair Belma Cabilao with the participation of other congressmen, including then House Speaker Prospero Nograles, Reps. Rufus Rodriguez, Luzviminda Ilagan, and Rafael Mariano.
During the hearing, the anti-aerial NGOs 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.
The banana growers’ track record for the past 45 years proved that low-dose fungicide poses no risk to people’s health and environment. It is milder than table salt, coffee, nizoral shampoo or of the obnoxious and deleterious carbon monoxide which people from all walks of life are exposed daily or of the acetaldehydes, chloromethanes, dioxane, phosphates and alkylbenzene sulfonic acid in laundry soaps and detergents used daily by millions of households in the country.
A fact-finding investigation conducted by Davao City officials in 2009 concluded that that there was no scientific evidence to support the ban against aerial spraying in banana plantations in Davao City. A Summary Report on the Assessment and Fact-Finding Activities on the Issue of Aerial Spraying in Banana Plantations (The Jacinto Report) submitted to Mayor Duterte, said:
“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.”
“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.”
Apart from the conclusion of Davao City’s own fact-finding team, various national government agencies with expert personnel conducted studies and investigations on aerial spraying. Their reports indicated that there is no scientific evidence to support a wholesale ban on aerial spraying.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said that the claim that aerial spraying is hazardous to animals and human beings remains an allegation and assumption unless otherwise scientifically proven by concerned authorities and agencies.
This issue can be addressed by following Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), which the DA is promoting among fruit and vegetable growers and plantations. “Any method of agri-chemical application whether aerial or non aerial if not properly done in accordance with established procedures and code of good agricultural practices and if the chemical applicators and handlers lack of necessary competency, certainly it could be hazardous.”
The Department of Trade and Industry, in a position paper advised that: “Aerial spraying is an internationally accepted Good Agricultural Practice and is being used all over Davao Region as an efficient and effective method of fungicide application to control the Sigatoka disease.”
“The testimonies of our health care community, as well as the testimonies of the best scientific minds in the Philippines and in the world have proven beyond doubt that the declaration of the anti-spray campaign are hearsay, half-truths and lies” added Antig.