Table grape producers say they have been denigrated by an environmental association. They are claiming € 500 in compensation.
Half a million euros. The MDRGF (Movement for the right and the respect of future generations) was summoned yesterday before the High Court of Paris. The national federation of table grape producers claims half a million euros in damages. She accuses this environmental association of having "denigrated" them. In 2008, the MDRGF had published, with four other European associations, a study carried out in five European countries. It noted the presence of pesticide residues, some of which are prohibited in the European Union, in almost all the table grapes collected in these countries. Without contesting the published analyzes, the grape producers speak of a “dishonest” presentation about this study. The judgment was reserved. The decision will be released on February 10.
Glitches. Out of a total of 124 samples of table grapes tested, 123 showed pesticide residues. 20% were contaminated with ten or more different chemical substances and 4,8% exceeded the maximum limits authorized by new European legislation. Three samples contained pesticides banned in the countries of production.
"Pursuit gag". "We want to intimidate us and silence us because the information we publish disturb certain interest groups who would like to continue to have polluting practices", denounces François Veillerette. For the president of the MDRGF, if the court found in favor of the federation of table grape producers, the association should cease its activities and would not be able to pay the requested sum.
Support from the Peasant Confederation. The MDRGF received support from the Confédération paysanne. “This study has the merit of putting in public a problem that deserves to be. Let us not forget, the first victims of pesticides are the producers themselves. it is not responsible for veiling your face, ”says Philippe Collin, its spokesperson.
Break the deadlock. France is the leading user of pesticides in Europe. As part of the Grenelle environment conference, it embarked on an ambitious program to reduce pesticides. With the desire to reduce the number of authorized molecules by 50% by 2018. But in a certain number of cases, we come up against technical dead ends. Because the development of alternative methods or products takes several years. A first list of exemptions has been published to take these situations into account. But they are not intended to be maintained. Simply allow research to do its job.
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