France Lawmakers Say State Shares Blame for West Indies Pesticide Scandal
The bill sets a goal of decontaminating polluted soil and water after research found almost 90% of residents exposed, ANSES said.
- On Tuesday, French lawmakers unanimously passed a bill acknowledging state responsibility for health, moral, and economic harm caused by Chlordecone, also known as Kepone, in Guadeloupe and Martinique.
- Almost 90 percent of people in Guadeloupe and Martinique remain contaminated, according to ANSES, as French authorities allowed the pesticide's continued use on Caribbean banana plantations until 1993 despite a mainland ban in 1990.
- Socialist lawmaker Elie Califer said the text "will help restore deeply damaged trust," while Martinique official Serge Letchimy hailed the vote as coming "to shatter a system that tramples on the truth."
- The new law sets France "the goal of decontaminating soil and water polluted" by the pesticide; Lawmaker Olivier Serva noted he was "not entirely satisfied," citing the need for further reparations.
- Senate approval already secured, The Paris appeal court will decide later this month whether to re-open a criminal investigation into the scandal after magistrates dropped the case more than three years ago.
15 Articles
15 Articles
France shares blame for West Indies pesticide scandal, MPs say
French lawmakers have recognised the state’s “partial responsibility” in allowing a toxic pesticide to be used in the French West Indies despite health warnings, inflicting long-term harm on the islands and their people.
Parliament adopted a law recognizing the responsibility of the State for the chlordecone scandal in the West Indies.
Chlordecone is a pesticide used in banana groves in Guadeloupe and Martinique until 1993 despite warnings from the World Health Organization about its dangerousness.
On Tuesday 2 June, MEPs adopted a bill to recognise the state's "share of responsibility" in the suffering of Guadeloupeans and Martinicians poisoned by this insecticide, used until 1993 in banana plantations. Source link: https://www.liberation.fr/environment/pollution/scandale-du-chlordecone-le-parlement-vote-en-favour-de-recognition-de-la-responsibility-de-letat-2026002_2STBO6W5IFEY3LPVDCPIIVMLGE/ Author: Eléonore Disdero Publish date : 2026-…
Radio France Internationale
France lawmakers say state shares blame for West Indies pesticide scandal
French lawmakers on Tuesday recognised the state's partial responsibility in allowing a toxic pesticide to be used in the French West Indies despite health warnings, inflicting long-term harm on the…
The text, adopted unanimously, obliges the State to work for the clearance of land and compensation of victims, without making it an obligation. More than 90 per cent of the adult population of the West Indies is contaminated by this pesticide.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left, 50% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
