French lawmakers say state shares blame for chlordecone pesticide scandal
French lawmakers have acknowledged the state's partial responsibility for the harmful effects of the pesticide chlordecone in the Caribbean. The pesticide, used until 1993, has been linked to serious health issues among the local population. A new law aims to decontaminate affected areas and compensate victims of this environmental disaster.
- ▪Lawmakers voted unanimously to recognize the state's responsibility for the harm caused by chlordecone.
- ▪Almost 90% of people in Martinique and Guadeloupe have been contaminated with the pesticide.
- ▪The new law sets goals for decontaminating polluted soil and water and compensating victims.
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A man holds a placard as he takes part in a demonstration calling for "truth and reparations" for victims of chlordecone, an insecticide accused of having poisoned the French Caribbean islands, in Fort-de-France, in the French overseas territory of Martinique, on October 28, 2023. THOMAS THURAR/AFP French lawmakers, on Tuesday, June 3, recognized the state's partial responsibility in allowing a toxic pesticide to be used in the French Caribbean islands despite health warnings, inflicting long-term harm on the islands and their people. Chlordecone, also known under the brand name Kepone, is a pesticide that was widely used to eliminate weevils in banana plantations in two of France's former colonies, now French overseas territories, Guadeloupe and Martinique, from 1972 until 1993.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Le Monde (EN).
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