IPEN

(Göteborg, Sweden) Dr. Tadesse Amera, the distinguished environmental scientist and Director of Pesticide Action Nexus (PAN)-Ethiopia, has been elected as IPEN Co-Chair, the highest level in the global network. Dr. Amera will share chairing responsibilities with Co-Chair Pamela Miller of Alaska Community Action on Toxics. The network of over 500 public interest environmental health NGOs in more than 125 countries is united to eradicate the world’s most harmful substances for a toxics-free future for all. 

Best known for a pioneering agro-ecology initiative that models organic alternatives to eliminate highly hazardous pesticide use in cotton cultivation, Dr. Amera has advanced numerous environmental health initiatives at local, national and regional levels and leads health and environmental engagements in high-level international policy making fora.

FULL REPORT

IPEN Participating organization, Toxics Link has released a new report titled, Endocrine Disruptor: Review of Indian Research. 

The report is intended to collect information on some of the Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) that are used in the making of consumer products, as well as their impacts on human and environmental health, based on the research studies carried out in Indian context and general information from other international sources. The report is intended to spread awareness among consumers and encourage researchers to seek new information and make it available in the public domain. For policymakers, this report will help to take appropriate actions to create or modify regulations on the sound management of these EDCs in order to protect public and environmental health.

READ THE FULL REPORT AND PRESS RELEASE

The report "Highly Hazardous Pesticides in Mexico," coordinated by The Pesticide Action Network in Mexico (RAPAM) is now available. In the foreword to the English edition, Hilal Elver, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to food, and Baskut Tuncak, United Nations Special Rapporteur on hazardous substances and wastes, say: "This book provides an excellent overview about the peril of the wide use of highly hazardous pesticides in Mexico, many banned in other countries. 

They add: “It highlights the need for changes in the regulatory framework and the promotion of emerging agroecological alternatives from peasant communities, including organic farming. It is a very good source to convince other developing countries to phase out dangerous agro-chemicals, achieve healthy food and healthy environments, all the while protecting human rights in agrarian communities and the right to adequate food for all people."