Impact of the use of glyphosate on the environment and on human rights in Colombia
22.4.2021
Question for written answer E-002196/2021
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 138
Jordi Solé (Verts/ALE), Diana Riba i Giner (Verts/ALE), Marie Toussaint (Verts/ALE)
The Colombian Government has announced that it will restart the Illicit Crop Eradication Programme by spraying glyphosate from the air[1], despite the risks to human rights and the environment[2]. The aerial spraying of this herbicide violates point 4 of the Peace Agreement on the voluntary replacement of illicit crops, which the EU supports financially and politically in accordance with Judgment T-236 of the Constitutional Court and relevant international obligations. It will also seriously affect ecosystems, biodiversity and community rights, increasing vulnerability, again causing the forced displacement of people and leading to territorial conflicts[3]. This decision comes against the background of increasing violence against indigenous and Afro-Colombian populations and defenders[4].
- 1.What is the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative’s opinion of the impact of the aerial spraying of glyphosate on the environment and on human rights?
- 2.How will the European Union encourage the so-called UN Rapporteurs not to restart this programme, which does not guarantee the fundamental rights of Colombian peoples?
- 3.How does the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative assess the impact of this programme on the advocacy work of opponents?
- [1] https://www.dejusticia.org/siete-relatores-de-la-onu-le-piden-a-duque-que-replantee-volver-a-las-fumigaciones-con-glifosato/
- [2] https://www.iarc.who.int/featured-news/media-centre-iarc-news-glyphosate/
- [3] https://www.wwf.org.co/sala_redaccion/noticias/?uNewsID=364699
- [4] https://www.dejusticia.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Carta-relatores.pdf