Banning Aerial Spraying in Gunma Prefecture


Is the spraying of agricultural chemicals from the air a problem in Japan? AERA, the weekly magazine, discussed this very sensitive issue in its July 30, 2006 issue. This follows a decision in Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo, to ban the use of unmanned helicopters to spray rice fields, vegetable gardens and fruit orchards with toxic agrochemicals. Over 40 manufacturers of pesticides and herbicides have protested, but the governor of Gunma, although he surprisingly is a LDP politician, is convinced: reducing the use of agrochemicals is necessary.

Japan Crop Protection Association is so worried that they enlisted the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, that tells other prefectures, "Do not follow Gunma's example!"

According medical doctors that AERA has talked to, the use of agrochemicals has severe consequences in rural areas of Japan. Kids in agricultural households are more likely to be absent from school, and many more young women are taking psychotropic drugs. Overall use of such drugs is increasing in Japan, while it decreases in Europe, that has more restrictive policies regarding the use of pesticides: Aerial spraying is prohibited in Europe.

(Photo: Yamaha)

Comments

Pandabonium said…
Hey, where's my 20 guage shotgun? This could be fun.
11:40 pm, August 22, 2006
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