Glyphosate is a substance that is widely used in agriculture (in Rioja And in a few more provinces in Spain). It is a chemist who is used herbicideproducts designed to prevent and combat weeds. For several decades it has mainly been used to make the competition of crops and Who described it as ‘likely carcinogen’.
On the other hand, the Council of Europe remembered that, despite the Tone of the protection of the wolf that rules only a few daysThe populations of this animal “must be enforced or taken to the level that corresponds to the ecological and scientific requirements.”
La Rioja: A Law ‘Against’ Nature
Ecologist groups issue their concern about this new provisional draft legislation on biodiversity and of course heritage of RiojaBecause it is a step back in the preservation of the environment, and He turns his back on scientific information about glyphosate and the legislation that protects the wolf.
They believe that the elimination of the ban on the use of glyphosate and the regional protection of the wolf Contradicted the strategies of sustainability and protection of biodiversity, both nationally and internationally promoted. Moreover, it weakens the capacity of the municipalities to regulate the use of phytosanitarian products in their areas, a power that had already exercised more than 150 municipalities in Spain.
Glyphosate is a danger
Glyphosate has become the most used herbicide in the world because of its effectiveness to eliminate weeds, but The impact on the environment and human health has generated an intense debate. In 2015 it was classified by the International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC) of the World Health Organization (WHO) as “probably carcinogen for people.”
In turn, an investigation emphasizes the intergovernmental panel for biodiversity and ecosystems (iPbes) how The use of herbicides indirect pollinators, essential for food security and ecosystemS.
The report indicates that «The use of herbicides to control weeds »influences pollinators “Because they reduce the abundance and diversity of plants with flowers that offer pollen and nectar.” Moreover, the possible direct underletal effects of herbicides among pollinators are “largely unknown and they rarely study.”
Given this scenario we consider that The elimination of the ban on the use of glyphosate by municipalities and other entities It is a step back in the protection of public health and the environment. The environment -NGO is urging the Rioja government Precautionary principle and enforcement restrictions on the use of this herbicide, in accordance with the recommendations of the scientific community.
The Iberian wolf a step away from the lack of protection
Another worrying measure of the draft law is the exclusion of the Iberian wolf of the Register of protected species of Rioja. De Wolf is an important species for the balance of ecosystems and its protection is essential to maintain biodiversity in the region. The decision to rule out the regional register could have a dangerous precedent for other autonomous communities and weaken national conservation efforts.
We remember that The Iberian Wolf is still a “protected” speciesBecause it is under the Bern Convention on the preservation of animals in the wild and natural habitats, and that the Habitats of the European Union directly determine that Member States must take measures to achieve and maintain a favorable state of preservation of this mammal. His exclusion of the Rioja register is therefore contrary to the international obligations of Spain In terms of biodiversity.
In a moment of accelerated loss of biodiversity, it is essential that public administrations, such as such as Rioja, Take coherent measures to protect natural resourcesand comply with current legislation and treaties that protect animals in the wild.