Fw: Call for Assistance - STOP THE POISONING IN INDIA

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----- Original Message ----- From: Safe2Use

MARTHA-NSIF

Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 12:09 AM

Subject: Re: Call for Assistance - STOP THE POISONING IN INDIA

Martha, Thank you. The email address for The Hon'ble Chief Minister A.K. Antony Government of Kerala. India. is: cmkerala@... Safe2Use MARTHA-NSIF wrote:

Please send me the mail ID, and we will get many letters written. Sincerely,Martha Murdock, DirectorNational Silicone Implant FoundationDallas, TX Headquarters

----- Original Message -----

From: Safe2Use

Cc: thanal@... ; cmkerala@...

Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2001 9:08 AM

Subject: Call for Assistance - STOP THE POISONING IN INDIA To remind you of what is happening in India: http://www.safe2use.com/ca-ipm/01-01-05b.htm Below is a plea for help from India ******************* dear all I remind you the earlier postings on endosulfan poisoning in Kerala. the pesticide industry is here and trying their best to lift the ban. We feel that we need to bring in international support for the people and demand an endosulfan ban. If you can write one mail that is going to change the balance and tilt the issue towards the people. We are looking for about 500 + international mails. please bcc the mail to us. If any of you like to write the newspapers on the issue we will be extremely happy to give you the mail ID . We need your support now. Please help. here is a draft letter addressed to the chief minister of kerala. Pleas add your name and address at xxxx change the text if you wish so if you need more information please mail me. jayan TO. The Hon'ble Chief Minister A.K. Antony Government of Kerala. India. cmkerala@... Dear Sir: We are writing this in appreciation of your decision to suspend all uses of Endosulfan until further orders. We are happy to note that responsible leaders like you are prepared to act on the Precautionary Principle and uphold the priority of the Right to Life over private profits by selling poisons. Kerala is a beautiful land and we hope that it will continue to remain so. We were in fact pained to read about the Kasaragod tragedy and reports about the manner in which the poisonous pesticide Endosulfan has been used in and around the cashew plantations in Northern Kerala. We did not expect this in a land famous for its natural beauty and traditional health systems. Chemical pesticides are all dangerous and such poisons enrich only one constituency -- the manufacturers and dealers. In the long run, neither the farmers, the environment or the regional economy is likely to inherit anything other than a toxic legacy of barren farmlands and poisoned people. In fact, it is ironic that chemicals like Carbaryl (or Sevin) -- the pesticide manufactured by Union Carbide in Bhopal at the time of the disaster -- continues to be marketed with abandon, and even recommended by the Scientific institutions in India. There already is overwhelming evidence that these pesticides and chemicals are intensely hazardous to the environment and human health, particularly more so in areas like Kerala that are blessed with abundant rainfall and criss-crossing water bodies. Humanity is trapped in a vicious cycle of pesticide use and bold measures like yours are needed to get out of it. It gives us all the more reason to value your land, people and your products in high esteem. We urge you to continue with your good work, and assure you our support in moving Kerala from the insidious pesticide treadmill onto the path of truly sustainable and equitable agriculture, and show the world the way forward towards a progressive agricultural system. Sincerely, xxxxxxxxx