Protecting Communities from Toxic Pesticides in Bangladesh

Mustard fields in Sirajganj, Bangladesh. PHOTO: manzur alam on Unsplash.

We are pleased to report another big win by our partners at the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association. (Last week we reported on BELA’s victory over single-use plastic.)
 
The High Court of Bangladesh has ordered a phase out of the pesticide glyphosate, found in the common household weed killer Roundup. The Court also ordered authorities to inform the public of the harmful impacts of glyphosate and to introduce safer alternatives.
 
ELAW partner Syeda Rizwana Hasan and her team at BELA joined seven other organizations to file the writ petition calling for the ban. “We need regulations,” says Rizwana. “More than 13,000 cases have been filed in the U.S. seeking redress from the harms of Monsanto’s Roundup. ”
 
ELAW Staff Scientist Dr. Mark Chernaik provided Rizwana with scientific studies from the U.S. and around the world showing the toxicity of glyphosate in ecosystems near agricultural fields.

“What Mark sent enriched our petition,” says Rizwana.
 
Congratulations Rizwana and everyone at BELA!
 
For more information, see:
 
The Daily Star, January 6, 2020
Glyphosate Containing Pesticides, Form action plan to phase it out: HC

Maggie Keenan
Communications Director
Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide