NOTE: We have relied heavily on Google translation tools to get the following English translation of a Swedish press article -- so if accuracy is important to you, please check the original.

For more on the Round Table on Responsible Soy, which is criticised in this article, see
http://www.gmwatch.eu/latest-listing/1-news-items/12503
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Toxic ingredients in imported soybeans
SvD (Sweden)
24 October 2010
http://www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/giftigt-medel-pa-importerad-soja_5557789.svd

Sweden still imports South American soy which is sprayed with the deadly herbicide paraquat. Imports are expected to continue for several more years.

Last winter, Swedish Radio revealed that soya imported into Sweden is sprayed with a series of deadly pesticides. The toxins are banned in Europe but still used in Brazil where they pose an acute health hazard to farm workers who grow both conventional soy as genetically modified (GM) soy.

Both LRF's[?] Lars Göran Petterson and minister of agriculture Erlandsson said in February the imports were "unacceptable". But now SvD's investigation confirms that imports will continue and that the promised "renegotiation" has not solved the problem.

Sweden imports about 350 000 tonnes of soya a year, mainly from South America. It is estimated that some 90 percent goes into feed for cattle, pigs and chickens.

Lantmännen, which is Sweden's largest soybean importer, vowed that it would pursue the issue within the framework of the international Roundtable [on Responsible Soy] discussion with representatives of producers, consumers and environmentalists. Participants in the Roundtable include genetic engineering company Monsanto, grain giant Cargill and the World Wildlife Fund, WWF.

But the standard that was adopted last summer continues to permit use of the notorious pesticides paraquat, endosulfan and carbofuran. According to Claes Johansson, sustainability manager at Lantmännen Brazil when the rules were introduced, [the Roundtable] has only recently banned the latter two, a ban which has not yet been reported on the organization's website.

"It is true that paraquat is not yet phased out. However, the language relating to the rules on these three will be reviewed during the next three years," said Claes Johansson, sustainability manager at Lantmännen.

The Roundtable has drawn public criticism from the international environmental movement, which accuses it of "greenwashing", or helping producers appear to be environmentally friendly without making a real difference.

Claes Johansson dismisses the criticism.

"The goal of these talks is to get to the major players, and most of them are included. We have not reached a final conclusion in all the goals we have from a Swedish perspective, but the important thing is that it has created a forum where we can pursue the issues and gradually move along. It's easy to set stringent requirements and then get marginalized," said Claes Johansson.

SSNC chairman Mikael Karlsson is concerned about the dangerous toxins that may still be used on imported soybeans.

"Immediate political action is required to put a stop to this. It is of course about the health of agricultural workers exposed to the toxins but also about those farmers who have phased out the toxins and who are now at a competitive disadvantage," says Mikael Karlsson.

Lars Hellander who is chairman of the Swedish biodynamic association argues that the worst poisons are often used on the GM crops.

"As the weeds in GM fields become resistant to glyphosate [soybeans are modified to tolerate it], it has been turned completely upside down. The conventional crops are sprayed with glyphosate, which is cheaper, while the GM crop growers are instead having to use paraquat and the like," said Lars Hellander.

Studies conducted by authorities in both Paraguay and Argentina have identified adverse health effects associated with the increased use of glyphosate ranging from nausea and skin rashes to increased frequency of cancers and miscarriages....

[BOX:
90 percent of the 350 000 tonnes of soya which Sweden imports per year is used as feed for livestock.

The purpose of the Roundtable is to gather all the leading actors, including participating corporations like Monsanto and Cargill, and environmental organizations like the World Wildlife Fund. More than 230 environmental organizations have criticized the RTRS's designation of the disputed practices as "responsible". Among the critics are organizations such as the British Soil Association. Criticism has also been leveled at the RTRS's allowing new soya plantations to be established on sensitive forest lands cleared as recently as May 2009. Previously, 2004 was the agreed limit.

Paraquat has no antidote

Paraquat is a strong herbicides that eliminate all vegetation, but is also dangerous to humans and animals. Paraquat permanently damages the lungs, skin and eyes. The risk of fatal accidents is high, there is no antidote, and it may take up to a month before you die.

The herbicide was launched in 1961 but was banned in Sweden in 1983. Sweden has fought hard within the EU to maintain its ban on paraquat and won the 2007 proceedings in the Court. ]