The Federal Oral Court No. 2 of Rosario will be the scene of a key judicial debate against agrochemicals.
Since last week, a trial has been underway regarding the impact on health from agribusinesses and their practices.
In particular, seven businessmen and two municipal officials will face charges of contamination with agrochemicals that caused serious illnesses to Sabrina Ortiz and her two children.
The case represents a milestone in the fight against irregular spraying in urban areas.
A case against agrochemicals that began in 2011
“This case began in 2011 in Villa Alicia, a peripheral neighborhood of Pergamino, when Sabrina started noticing health problems in her family,” explains lawyer Fernando Cabaleiro, who is leading the lawsuit.
The complainant suffered two ischemic strokes and a spontaneous abortion. Her daughter suffers from chronic osteomyelitis that causes cysts within the bones.
The most alarming analysis revealed that her son had a glyphosate level in urine 120 times above what is tolerable.
This is due to the application of agrochemicals taking place less than 10 meters from the family home.
“She began with a constant complaint because she associated the health problems with the spraying that was happening across the street,” adds Cabaleiro.
Contaminated water and violation of judicial measures
In 2018, Sabrina reported the situation to the Federal Court No. 2 of San Nicolás.
Following this, the INTA of Balcarce confirmed that the groundwater of Pergamino was contaminated with agrochemicals.
The analyses found 18 active ingredients and metabolites in the water of neighborhoods like Villa Alicia, Luar Kayard, and La Guarida.
The investigation determined that producers and sprayers linked to three lots adjacent to the urban area had direct responsibility.
Furthermore, it was proven that they violated the preventive suspension ordered by the court to apply agrochemicals in nearby fields.
The accused include:
- Seven businessmen from the agricultural sector
- Guillermo Nicolás Naranjo, agronomist and municipal auditor
- Mario Daniel Tocalini, veterinarian and head of the Rural Environment Directorate
According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, both officials “were warned about what was happening, but they did not provide any solution, they excused themselves and justified the actions of the owners.”
Nocturnal spraying and lack of protective measures
“It became clear that they don’t even comply with good practices. Those toxic chemicals end up in the aquifers, in the soils of the houses, in the bodies,” warns Cabaleiro.
The lawyer denounced that “they didn’t even respect the 100 meters of the ordinance, spraying at night so that no one would find out, even on Christmas.”
The complainant victims are three, but the real impact is much greater.
“They are the neighbors of these three neighborhoods and even all of Pergamino, because the water contamination impacts the entire population,” summarizes Cabaleiro.
In the oral debate, about 70 medical records will be analyzed, so the number of victims could grow exponentially.
A beacon for towns sprayed with agrochemicals
“After 14 years and after seven years of criminal proceedings, the truth will be known in a public oral trial about the municipality’s complicity,” declared Sabrina Ortiz.
The woman, who graduated as a lawyer to push her own case, described the pressures suffered: “They left soybean pods in my car, shot my dog, threatened me with hooligans.”
“We only seek environmental justice and for the case to be a beacon for all the towns sprayed in Argentina,” concluded the affected party.
https://naturaleza.ar/ From the NGO Naturaleza de Derechos, they appealed to “the collective and popular financing” for the transfer of witnesses and experts.
They foresee that this trial will represent for Buenos Aires the same experience as the Mothers of Ituzaingó in Córdoba.
There, for the first time, “the complicit network (local agribusiness and public officials) that in every sprayed town in Argentina jeopardizes the environment and people’s health” was judged.
