An apple a day would not necessarily keep the doctor away … A report published by the environmental association Greenpeace points to the toxicity of apples for the body. Analyzes carried out by the environmental protection organization on soil and water samples taken from orchards in twelve European countries give unattractive results. Of the 85 samples taken in total, 53 different pesticides were identified, denounces the document. “75% on average (soil: 78%; water: 72%) contained residues of at least one of these pesticides. In addition, at least 70% of the pesticides identified have a high overall toxicity for human health and wildlife savage, ”says Greenpeace.
The pesticides found mainly include boscalid (a fungicide present in 38% of samples) and DDT suspected of increasing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer in particular).
Worse, France is part of the top trio of European countries where the soils are the most polluted with pesticides: “the highest number of pesticides in the soil was detected in Italy (18 pesticides out of three samples), in Belgium ( 15 pesticides out of three samples) and in France (13 pesticides out of six samples taken) “, details the report.
Greenpeace wishes to alert consumers and urge public authorities to gradually put an end to the use of synthetic chemical pesticides in agriculture by prohibiting “as a priority the carcinogenic pesticides, mutagenic and neurotoxic, as well as those which disrupt the endocrine system or are toxic to reproduction. ”Greenpeace also calls for the encouragement of my“ non-chemical alternatives to pest control, in particular environmentally friendly farming practices ”.
The response of producer organizations
“No, apples are not poisoned”, hastened to respond to the Association Nationale Pommes Poires (ANPP), which represents organizations of apple and pear producers in France. In a press release, the collective protests against “false conclusions” and assures that “French apples are healthy, comply with regulations” and that “French fruits are good, healthy and produced with respect for the environment” .
“Today, the producers seek to preserve the natural balances on their exploitation, insist the spokespersons. The ANPP specifies that the phytosanitary products are used” only as a last resort, when there is no technique. alternative “. And to conclude with an invitation to Greenpeace activists to come” visit an eco-responsible orchard “to judge for themselves.
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