Farm Chemicals a Major Source of Water Pollution in Philippines — Greenpeace

MANILA — Decades of agrochemical use in the Philippines has polluted water sources in the country and are directly posing risks to human health and the environment, Greenpeace said today at the launch of a new study entitled “Agrochemical use in the Philippines and its
consequences to the environment.” The environment group additionally called on the Philippine government to institute programs to reduce agrochemical dependency in the country’s farms to stem the negative effects on the environment, particularly on water sources.

“Agrochemical use in the Philippines and its consequences to the
environment” provides an overview on how the staggering increase in the
use of synthetic farm chemicals in the past few decades has not resulted
in a similar increase in crop yields, and worse, cause substantial
environmental damage to the country’s water sources.

“This model of agricultural growth is fatally flawed because of
declining crop yields and massive environmental impacts. Aside from
causing land degradation and losses in soil fertility, agrochemicals
cause water pollution that directly and indirectly affects human
health,” said Greenpeace campaigner Daniel Ocampo.

According to the report, water pollution from agrochemical runoff is
more widespread in the Philippines than previously thought. Recent
studies show that excess fertilizer use has already caused nitrates
pollution in water bodies in agricultural areas in the country. The
report cites a recent analysis by Greenpeace of groundwater in Benguet
and Bulacan provinces which found that 30% of the tested artesian wells
had nitrates levels above the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking
water safety limit. Other recent studies which found high levels of
nitrates around sweet pepper farms in the Manguang area in Ilocos Norte
are also mentioned. Nitrates pollution in water poses health risks,
especially to children, and nitrogen-based fertilizer runoff has been
identified as a cause of toxic algal blooms, such as red tide, in water
bodies

The report further mentions that between 1995 and 1999, scientists have
found residues of the pesticides Azin and Butachlor in groundwater wells
around farming areas in Ilocos Norte, in concentrations higher than the
European Union (EU) safety limits. Recently, researchers at the Benguet
State University have found pesticide residues of organophosphates,
organochlorines and pyrethroids in soil and vegetables grown in certain
municipalities. Pesticide exposure causes health problems, and both
acute and chronic toxic effects have been reported in the Philippines.

However, while the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
states that 37% of water pollution in the country originates from
agricultural practices which include animal waste and fertilizer and
pesticide runoff, the government has made no effort to reduce
agrochemical use in the country which has increased massively since the
1960s. According to the report, between 1961 and 2005 fertilizer
applications in the Philippines increased by 1000%, but yields of rice
and maize increased only by 200 and 280% respectively. Pesticide use,
from 1977 to 1987 increased by 325%, but rice yield increased by only
30%. Meanwhile, soil and water, on which farmers health and livelihoods
rely, have been degraded by such massive agrochemical applications.

“Clearly there is a need to shift away from the current industrial
agriculture system which promotes the reliance on agrochemicals while
neglecting to consider their negative effects on human health, the
environment, and the economy of local communities. There are proven
low-cost alternatives to expensive chemical agriculture system: farmers
are already fertilizing soils and protecting crops with organic and
sustainable techniques that work with nature, not against it, and which
can provide food for all without compromising land and water resources,”
said Ocampo.

“The Philippine government must stop promoting this harmful system by
phasing out subsidies for agrochemicals, and focus instead on assisting
farmers in converting to ecological and sustainable farming systems
which can give better yields without harming the environment and human
health,” he added.

Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organization that acts
to change attitudes and behavior to protect and conserve the environment
and to promote peace.

The report can be downloaded at: www.greenpeace.org.ph/agrochemical

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