Brazil’s National Cancer Institute (INCA) has called for a substantial reduction in the use of pesticides, blaming the cultivation of genetically modified crops for the skyrocketing use of agrochemicals in the country. The institute, which is under the direct administration of the Ministry of Health, published a document last week, warning against the serious health effects of the massive pesticide use. The statement comes a few days after the World Health Organisation’s cancer research agency announced that glyphosate, the world’s most widely used weed killer, is likely to cause cancer in humans. Brazil is the biggest consumer of pesticides in the world; agrochemical sales reached $8.5 billion in 2011, up from $2 billion in 2001. National pesticide consumption is equivalent to 5.2 litres per person per year. The report describes the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops as the main reason for this sad record: “Importantly, the release of transgenic seeds in Brazil was one of the factors responsible for putting the country in first place in the ranking of agrochemical use since the cultivation of these modified seeds requires large quantities of these products.” The INCA points to the risks to human health from exposure to pesticides, particularly its relationship with certain types of cancer. Professor Luiz Felipe Ribeiro Pinto said, “we have to keep in mind that pesticide use sykrocketed over a period of just ten years. If we consider that cancer develops sometimes as long as 20 to 30 years after exposure, the consequences of this rapid increase in pesticide use will be felt in about 15 or 20 years time.” The report explains that acute pesticide poisoning is mainly affecting those directly exposed to chemicals as in the case of farm workers. Possible symptoms can be skin irritations, itching, vomiting, diarrhea or respiratory problems. However, chronic poisoning could also affect large parts of the population due to pesticide residues in food and the environment. Since the effects of chronic exposure such as: infertility, impotence, abortions or cancer, do not appear immediately, it is difficult to link them to the agent. The latest tests of Brazil’s health agency Anivsa revealed pesticide residues above the maximum permissible limit in many samples, as well as the presence of pesticides that are not allowed in the country. According to INCA's statement, the main focus must be on combating the use of pesticides, which contaminate all vital resources, including food, soil, water, breastmilk and air. The INCA therefore calls for a stronger regulation of pesticides and the promotion of agroecological alternatives to the dominant agricultural model with its dangerous dependence on GMOs and pesticides. (ab)