FPA halts sale of herbicide used in 17 suicide cases

By Dexter A. See

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — The Fertilizers and Pesticides Authority has ordered a multi-national corporation to stop distribution and sale of a deadly herbicide blamed by Cordillera agriculture stakeholders for 17 suicide deaths in this vegetable-producing province the past two years.

In an order, Norlito Gicana, FPA executive director, said there was urgent need for Syngenta Philippines to stop sale and distribution of its Gramoxon 20 SL to allow the agency to look into allegations the herbicide was being used by desperate persons in the province to kill themselves.

The FPA also directed Toshihaki Shinohara, Syngenta president and chief executive officer, to closely coordinate with its regional office in the inventory of its products that would be banned temporarily to prevent unscrupulous traders from continuously distributing the herbicide.

Although provincial officials welcomed the order to suspend the sale of the lethal product, they noted FPA failed to order the withdrawal of the herbicide from farm-distribution outlets in Baguio City and other parts of the region.

Based on research conducted by the provincial government, there were a lot of stocks of the lethal herbicide in various stores.

The provincial government said all the stocks must be withdrawn by the company to prevent desperate people from using it as a death weapon.

The FPA informed Syngenta that it found sufficient evidence that the company violated provisions of an FPA memorandum circular on the sale, distribution, and handling of the product.

Gicana cited documents and information related to 17 suicide cases in the different parts of the province in which Gramoxon 20 SL was used by the victims to kill themselves.

Presidential Decree 1144 bans the use of pesticides or formulation of pesticides in certain areas of the country upon the presentation evidence that the pesticide is an eminent hazard or is causing widespread serious damage to crops, fish, livestock or public health.