TTO – expired herbicides are manufactured and traded but thanks to a special dispatch that an enterprise is still allowed to trade in this chemical.
This is not only annoying in the business community for its biased treatment but also against the claims of clean agricultural production that MARD had previously stated when it banned a series of toxic herbicides.
Paraquat original herbicide was introduced on the website annong.com.vn afternoon 1-7 – Photo: QUANG DINH
Publicly selling banned substances
On February 8, 2017, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong signed the Decision No. 278 / QD-BNN-BVTV on the removal of plant protection drugs (PTV) containing active ingredients 2,4D and Paraquat from List of pesticides allowed to be used in Vietnam.
This decision is based on scientific evidence about pesticides that adversely affect human health, livestock, ecosystems, the environment … However, to give businesses time to resolve all chemicals. The above has been imported and produced for 2 more years for businesses to find ways to sell out.
Thus, according to the roadmap, until February 8, 2019, the business of herbicides with active ingredients 2,4D and Paraquat was banned.
But in fact, after February 2019, the herbicides containing active ingredient Paraquat were still available for sale at many dealers and online. The special thing is that all products belonging to the banned group of Paraquat origin that we find to buy on the market belong to one manufacturer, An Nong Group Co., Ltd. (Ho Chi Minh City).
Paraquat-based herbicides that are commonly sold include 20SL Burning Grass of US Chemical Co., Ltd. (Long An) and Lagoote 210SL of An Nong Co., Ltd. (factory in Long An). According to research, both companies are members of An Nong Group (Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City).
In order to enlist sales, An Nong Company offers many big promotions, so that the more customers buy the more Paraquat herbicides, the more preferential. According to our statistics, this company organizes about 10 programs to promote the sale of banned drugs with high discounts or trips abroad.
When we asked to buy in bulk, Mr. Hai Long, in charge of the business of US Chemical Company (a member of An Nong), said that the wholesale price of about 60,000 VND / bottle with bulk discount to 55,000 VND / bottles, and also participate in the company's travel programs if eligible.
When asked why the substance was banned from circulation but the company still sells, Mr. Long said that the company is sold until the end of September with the Plant Protection Department's written permission!
We telephoned Truong Thi Thuy Truong, general manager of An Nong Group Co., Ltd., but only the secretary answered the call. Ms. Thuy Truong's secretary said that the company has many different types of herbicides and is allowed to do business by Plant Protection Department. If you want to know more, contact Plant Protection Department.
Plant protection drug milestones containing Paraquat and 2,4D – Graphic: T. DAT
Why is An Nong “special” selling banned substances?
Through various sources, we have determined that the Paraquat-based herbicides of pesticide production and trading companies in Vietnam have been officially suspended from February 8, 1919 according to the regulations of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. except … An Nong's products.
On March 15, 2019, the Plant Protection Department issued Document No. 613 / BVTV-QLT regarding the handling of problems and problems in the process of suspending the Paraquat-based herbicide business directly to Group Company Limited. An Nong.
Plant Protection Department requires An Nong Company to make statistics on the amount of technical drugs and unpacked finished products that have been removed from the list to formulate a detailed plan to export 100% of these pesticides in stock. out of the territory of Vietnam until the end of September 30, 2019.
For two pesticides, packed 20SL and Lagoote 210SL, cannot be exported but are still in use in storage or circulated in the market, request the company to do a detailed inventory and have a plan. business until the end of September 30, 2019 to report to Plant Protection Department.
Notably, the official letter signed by Mr. Le Van Thiet, Deputy Director of Plant Protection Department, sent to An Nong also sent to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Quoc Doanh for reporting. Earlier on February 20, 2019, Mr. Doanh also had a meeting with a number of pesticide production and trading enterprises to find ways to handle the original 2,4D and Paraquat herbicides, which were not sold out.
Talking with Tuoi Tre, Mr. Le Van Thiet said that signing the decision for An Nong to continue trading in herbicides containing Paraquat was because the Plant Protection Department had previously held meetings with businesses and concluded that they could do business.
Weirdo
Dr. Nguyen Dang Nghia, director of the Center for Tropical Agriculture Research and Consulting, said that 2,4D and Paraquat are two very toxic chemicals that can cause cancer and have been banned by many countries around the world.
It was not until the beginning of 2017 that Vietnam removed it from the list of permitted business but gave the enterprise another 2 years to do business for all drugs it had imported or manufactured in stock. That will create conditions for businesses to find ways to sell out toxic drugs for people to bring to the field.
After two years, the Plant Protection Department once again allowed a company to sell this drug for nearly 7 months, according to Mr. Nghia, which is unusual.
“Why is only one enterprise allowed to do business, and why continue to allow trading of toxic chemicals into the Vietnamese environment even though the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development has repeatedly affirmed the strategy of the agricultural sector is production cleaner? ”, Mr. Nghia urgently asked the question.
Over 30 countries have banned
Numerous studies of organizations around the world have warned that the active ingredient Paraquat has the potential to cause a number of animal and human diseases. Paraquat has the potential to affect lung, kidney and heart function. People exposed to Paraquat directly through the skin, upper respiratory tract or mouth can lead to poisoning, even death without antidote.
Paraquat is classified as very toxic to aquatic life, has long-lasting environmental consequences and has been banned in over 30 countries.
In Vietnam, the herbicide Paraquat has been registered for use in plant protection since 1993. The use of this chemical in an uncontrolled herbicide is very likely to be exposed to humans through skin and respiration such as temperature, temperature and humidity. high humidity, lack of labor protection equipment, unsafe spraying equipment, spraying areas lack control …
In particular, Paraquat is often used as a poison in suicides or poisonings in many parts of the country with a very small lethal dose (about 10ml) without an antidote. In the list of pesticides allowed to use in Vietnam issued on April 21, 2016, pesticides containing active ingredient Paraquat have 46 trade names.
