cannabisnews.com: 60 Minutes: Herbicide Problems 60 Minutes: Herbicide Problems Posted by FoM on January 11, 2002 at 10:26:41 PT Steve Kroft Reports Sunday at 7 P.M. ET - PT Source: CBS News The spraying program has destroyed hundreds of square miles of coca fields, yet production continues to rise. "Once a field is destroyed, they just go deeper into the forest and they start all over again," says McGovern. "We are not stopping the production…and to me that’s a colossal waste of money." On his visit to Colombia, Kroft found people suffering from rashes that a Colombian health department worker believes were caused by the spraying. The worker, Nancy Sanchez, also says illnesses like fever, diarrhea and allergies were up 100 percent in the spraying areas and that 2,300 families have complained of sicknesses. A recent U.S. State Department report said that the main ingredient in the herbicide, glyphosate, was no more irritating than baby shampoo or salt. Rand Beers, the State Department official in charge of the spraying, admits that the herbicide, brand named Roundup in the U.S., can be harmful to humans in high concentrations, but said his program uses concentrations well within safety levels. Scientists working for the State Department could find no link between the spraying and illnesses. They attributed symptoms to unsanitary conditions, common infections in the region and to chemicals used in the cultivation and processing of coca. Elsa Nivia, a Colombian agronomist who opposes spraying, tells Kroft her research indicates a much more dangerous concentration of Roundup. "They are applying concentrations up to 26 times higher than what is recommended for agricultural use," she tells Kroft. "Also, they are applying Cosmo-Flux, which quadruples the biological action." Cosmo-flux makes the herbicide more effective by increasing its sticking and penetration power. It is known as a surfactant, something Roundup’s producer, Monsanto, specifically warns its customers against using. Cosmo-flux has never been approved by the EPA for use in the U.S. and its ingredients are a trade secret of its Colombian manufacturer. Says McGovern, " The herbicide is powerful stuff and I think it’s ridiculous to say that we shouldn’t worry about the health impacts…Nobody really can tell me…what the health effects of this spray might be." This is one of two 60 MINUTES reports this week that is of special interest to the Hispanic community in the U.S. In the other, Ed Bradley reports on Cuban assets in the U.S. that were frozen for more than 40 years for national security reasons until President Clinton released most of them the night before he left office. The released money went to the families of Cuban-American "Brothers to the Rescue" pilots who won a lawsuit against Cuba for killing the pilots when they shot their planes down. 60 MINUTES is the only newsmagazine close-captioned in Spanish. * Congressman Decries Spraying Of Herbicide In Colombia * Says Practice Is A Health Hazard And Waste Of Tax-Payers’ Money * Steve Kroft Reports Sundasy at 7 P.M. ET/PT (CBS) Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) tells Steve Kroft that spraying herbicide on Colombian coca plants not only fails to curb cocaine production, but it may also pose a health hazard to thousands of innocent people living near the fields. Kroft’s report on the controversial practice – the centerpiece of America’s $1.3 billion aid package to Colombia – will be broadcast on 60 MINUTES Sunday, Jan. 13 at 7PM, ET/PT Newshawk: Dan B.Source: CBS NewsPublished: January 11, 2002Copyright: MMII, CBS Worldwide Inc. Website: http://www.cbsnews.comRelated Articles & Web Site:Colombia Drug War Newshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/colombia.htmHalt Colombia Drug War Sprayinghttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10756.shtmlColombian Death-Spray http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11071.shtmlRoundup Works -- But Too Well? http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10545.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by mayan on January 11, 2002 at 17:29:01 PT Don't Know What It Is "Cosmo-flux has never been approved by the EPA for use in the U.S. and its ingredients are a trade secret of its Columbian manufacturer."The fact that our government even considered spraying this stuff anywhere on earth is indicative of how ruthless,greedy & ignorant they are! We don't even know what Cosmo-flux is let alone its mixture with glyphosphate. I can't believe we put up with these downright evil people!How can they spray this stuff when they don't even know what it is? How ignorant can they be? [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by goneposthole on January 11, 2002 at 16:41:34 PT roundup It is 'ok' to spray Roundup in Colombia until hell won't have it. Not a problem to thrust a man made chemical into the environment. I guess it would be 'ok' to dust anthrax spores in the US Capitol.Anthrax is a natural organism and is 'greener' than roundup. We must have priorities. http://www.thecompassionclub.org/library/tumors.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by QcStrt on January 11, 2002 at 13:47:00 PT ((Agent Orange)) Scientists working for the State Department could find no link between the spraying and illnesses. They attributed symptoms to unsanitary conditions, common infections in the region and to chemicals used in the cultivation and processing of coca.This is what said about ((Agent Orange)) and a lot of us still have it. Art. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment