Alternative Grüne Woche: "Toxic Business"

Currently, around two million tons of agricultural pesticides are used per year on a global basis. While use is decreasing or at least stable in many developed countries, major growth potential is seen by German pesticide companies in the markets of developing countries and the smallscale producers in Africa and Asia.

Many of the pesticides sold by German companies are withdrawn from the European market due to their harmful health and negative environmental effects. The toxic pesticides are sold in local markets to small farmers and farm workers who are particularly vulnerable when it comes to pesticides use.

But there is resistance. In Kenya, Nigeria and other African countries, smallholder farmers‘ associations and civil society are protesting against the double standards.

The film, “Toxic Business” documents some of the realities, and will be screened in this forum. The film viewing will be followed by a panel discussion with Katja Becker (film director at Ujuzi. Media), and guests from the HBS Kenya and HBS Nigeria offices, where we have been actively working on a response to the concerns surrounding pesticides in Africa. The panel will present case studies of their experience in the respective countries and explore questions such as:

What effects do these exports have on the ground? How is the issue of pesticides perceived and discussed? What can we do in Europe?

What is the alternative to industrial agricultural production and how  can we succeed in rethinking global, regional and local food systems?

Panel discussion

• Katja Becker, Film Director, Ujuzi.Media
• Layla Liebetrau, Project Lead of the Route to Food Initiative, implemented by the HBS Nairobi office
• Ikenna Donald Ofoegbu, Economist and Ecology Coordinator at HBS Nigeria

Facilitation

• Dr. Silke Bollmohr, Ecotoxicologist, Eco-Trac Consulting

The event will be held in German and English with simultaneous interpretation

Contact: Beate Adolf
E adolf@boell.de

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