PARIS (Reuters) – A decree recognizing prostate cancer caused by pesticides, including chlordcone, as an occupational disease was published in the Official Journal on Wednesday.
“The term ‘pesticides’ refers to products for agricultural use and products intended for the maintenance of green spaces (phytosanitary products or plant protection products) as well as biocides and veterinary pest control, whether or not they are authorized at the time of application. asks “, is it specified in the decree.
In November, the French Minister of Agriculture Julien Denormandie agreed to have this decree published before the end of the year.
“There has been a legitimate demand for a long time now from professionals that prostate cancer can be recognized as an occupational disease linked to the use of products, in particular chlordcone”, he then explained on France 3.
This toxic pesticide permanently contaminated the soil after being used from 1972 to 1993 in Guadeloupe and Martinique in banana plantations to fight against the weevil, an insect that ravaged plantations, and it is now suspected of being responsible for many diseases, including cancers.
The text will enter into force the day after its publication.
(Rdig by Camille Raynaud)