The findings of a study released by the Central Bureau of Statistics reveals some alarming information. The level of pesticides in agricultural produce in Israel in 2008-2010 is the highest among OECD nations. This means that the Israeli agricultural produce is the most dangerous food in the world from among Western nations.

The study examined components of pesticides used by companies that manufacture or import materials to Israel, and it was learned that the toxic materials in 3.5 tons/thousand dunam (250 acres) is 88 times higher than in Sweden (0.04), which maintains a low level. Earning the unwanted second place among OECD nations is Japan with 1.55 tons/250 acres.

Relative to the size of the population, Japan leads with 4.95 tons/1,000 people. Israel follows with 1 ton/1,000 people followed by Hungary (0.98/1,000). At the top of the list is Switzerland and Norway (0.19 ton/1,000), and Sweden (0.11/1,000 people).

Ministry of Agriculture officials promise a revision, stating in Israel, 7,000 tons of toxic pesticides are sold annually, used primarily to kill fungi and bacteria, plants and insects and soil evaporation. There are 670 types for different use. There are also other materials used towards preserving produce and prolonging storage and shelf life and there is growth regulation by the use of hormones and nutritional supplements added to plants.

Banned components were found in 570 pesticides used in Israel. The survey further notes that despite the Montreal Protocol, “The International banned use of pesticides that harm the ozone layer, especially methyl bromide which is considered the most commonly used pesticide in the past generation, methyl bromide (compound of carbon, hydrogen and bromine) is still in use on 570 pesticides sold in Israel.

It should be noted that the Ministry of Agriculture has ordered a revision, inter alia through the introduction of less toxic alternative materials instead of materials containing organic phosphates and herbicides prohibited from use.

The ministry is also encouraging moving over to more environmentally friendly methods primarily in use against the fruit fly. There is also an increase in the use of traps instead of pesticides as well as distribution of sterile flies.

Methyl Bromide

“Methyl bromide causes serious damage not only to the human body but also long-term damage to the environment, so there is a global trend to reduce the use of it,” explains Dr. Dario and Ratnik. “When the material comes into contact with the human body high concentrations, it can damage the liver. However, the damage is causing severe damage to the ozone layer material. Injury leads to increased ultraviolet radiation – even indirect, may damage the nervous system and expose us to skin cancer. ”

According to Dr. Ratnik, despite the recognition of the increasing damage that makes methyl bromide, although the prohibition against its use – and despite the fact that the Montreal Convention signed in 1995 prohibits its use in Israel, a factory in Ramat Chovav continues to manufacture it. If this were not enough – Israel is the largest exporter of this dangerous material to the east, which continues using it. Simply stated, the ban is ignored here in Israel.

Not surprisingly, Israel opposed the ban of methyl bromide claiming that the only material that helps farmers for pest control. ”

Dr. Ratnik adds that in line with the Montreal Convention the use of methyl bromide was banned since 2005 with the exception of some underdeveloped countries will have difficulty dealing with the economic loss resulting from insects destroying agricultural produce. ”

“Contrary to those underdeveloped countries, Western devolved nations require a special permit to use methyl bromide,” continues Dr. Ratnik. “The question now is do we have such a certificate or is the flippant attitude once again exploding in our faces?”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)