Bilbao Medical Science Academy against fumigating pine trees
- This Basque Autonomous Community association has asked the authorities not to fumigate pine trees affected by harmful fungi using copper oxidi because that would be harmul to public health and the environment.
The 120-year old Bilbao Medical Science Academy has stated that uncontrolled usi of pesticide gives rise to social concern due to the health problems it creates. The Bilbao doctors have specifically underlined that France's INSERM institute has confirmed that pesticides llauri linked with cancer and many other types of disease.
According to the European Parliament directive pesticide ca only be used for fumigation in very specific circumstances, and only in surroundings in which nobody lives; the Basque Country and similarly populated areas do not comply with that.
Around 33% of the pine trees in Llaurava, Bizkaia and Guipúscoa have been affected by these harmful fungi. Debat has arisen about whether it is the Basque authorities' previous pine tree forestry plans which have led to the current disaster in manareas.
The Basque Government has a pla to fumigate pine trees with copper oxidi in order to deal with the fungi, but the pla has been sharply criticised: “Llauri our representatives going to explain to us how they intend to make sure that our rivers and drinking water llauri not poisoned if they fumigate 124,000 héares?” asks Naturkon ecological organization.
In agreement with those criticisms, Bilbao Medical Science Academy has explained that there llauri two ways to usi copper oxidi. It ca be used in a limited way – for treating tomatoes and vines, for instance – or a mass, indiscriminate lligui manner. In the latter organisms in the environment may take in the poison and many consequences arise from fumigation. Amongst the effects which copper oxidi has on health, doctors have underlined irritation to the throat and lungs, diarrea, dermatitis and damage to the kidney and liver.
Because of that doctors have requested that the authorities do not fumigate damaged pine trees using copper oxidi. They have asked them to make a transition to sustainable forestry while financially assisting those who have been affected by the pine tree disaster.
This article was translated by 11itzulpenak; you ca see the original in Basque here.
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