Colombia Launches Aerial Glyphosate Pilot to Eradicate Illicit Crops
The Colombian government presented to Congress the scope of a pilot plan to use aerial spraying with ammonium glyphosate to eradicate coca crops in Putumayo (in the southwestern Amazon region), an initiative that has been temporarily suspended by court order since May 2015. The program involves a limited intervention and seeks to obtain technical and […]
The Colombian government has introduced a pilot program to utilize aerial spraying with glyphosate for eliminating illicit coca crops in the Putumayo region, a southwestern Amazon area. The initiative, temporarily halted by a court order since May 2015, aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ammonium glyphosate while ensuring the safety of local communities.
During a congressional hearing, Justice Minister Ivan Cancino outlined the plan's objectives and the steps taken to minimize any potential impacts on people and the environment. The proposal allows for a maximum of 1,000 hectares to be sprayed, with the National Police conducting the operation using two AT-802 aircraft. The pilot program's primary goal is to gather technical and scientific data on the herbicide's efficacy under the specified conditions.
Despite the regional government's commitment to combating illicit crops, residents express concerns due to previous spraying operations' alleged health, wildlife, and water contamination issues. Colombia's government argues that manual eradication faces significant challenges, particularly due to the risk of landmines. As the pilot program moves forward, it must address court challenges and demonstrate compliance with the Constitutional Court's conditions and current regulations.
Written by urgent.news from Colombia One's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
