CAOBISCO supports call for endosulfan ban
9 November 2011 – Caobisco has sent a letter of support for the Environmental Justice Foundation’s (EJF) call for a global ban on Endosulfan.
Endosulfan has historically been an important insecticide and was used on cocoa to control several very damaging pests, but is now obsolete and has been withdrawn. However, the association of chocolate, biscuit and confectionery industries of the European Union said it was very difficult to ascertain the reality on cocoa farms.
The ban is also supported by ECA that represents the major companies involved in the cocoa bean trade and processing, warehousing and related logistical activities.
Penelope Alexandre, director for regulatory and scientific affairs at Caobisco, notes, “Farmer safety, environmental sustainability as well as food safety are our top priorities. Our member companies support the recommendation contained in the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) Manual on Pesticides in cocoa, which has listed Endosulfan as a pesticide that must not be used on cocoa.
The ban already exists in Europe and this year Japan, US, Australia all announced bans with Brazil also introducing a phase-out.
