In Colombia, the massive use of aerial fumigation to eradicate coca fields, as part of a strategy called Plan Colombia, has caused pesticide contamination of land and water, and serious health complaints from residents. The multinational firm Monsanto is the major manufacturer and retailer of Round-Up Ultra, a type of glyphosate used to fumigate illegal plantations. Monsanto has said this product is environmentally safe, denying any toxic effects on human health or environment. However, local rural and indigenous communities living in Putumayo, and other regions sprayed by herbicides, have reported that indiscriminate fumigation causes illnesses, destroys food crops and contaminates water supplies. The fumigations are to a large extent financed by US government aid programs. Still after more than ten years of aerial fumigations, their main purpose: the eradication of the coca plantations is far from being achieved. |
After over a decade of dangerous contamination, aerial fumigation with the pesticide have ended in May 2015. A new anti-drug policy was approved and relocation of families started
| Name of conflict: | Aerial Fumigation with glyphosate in the Putumayo, Colombia |
| Country: | Colombia |
| State or province: | Putumayo |
| Location of conflict: | Putumayo |
| Accuracy of location | MEDIUM (Regional level) |
| Type of conflict. 1st level: | Biomass and Land Conflicts (Forests, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Management) |
| Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Deforestation Military installations Agro-toxics |
| Specific commodities: | Pesticides Land Water |
| Project details | Before the fumigation started the aim was to eradicate 66,000 hectares of coca corps. By the year 2004, there were only 4,400 hectares left. The herbicide used was the glysphosate, which is composed of 74% of water, 18% of salt of glyphosate and 8% of surfactants. |
| Project area: | 200000 |
| Level of Investment for the conflictive project | 7500000 |
| Type of population | Rural |
| Start of the conflict: | 06/2000 |
| Company names or state enterprises: | Monsanto Corporation (Monsanto Co) from United States of America DynCorp International from United States of America |
| Relevant government actors: | The government of Colombia, The government of the United States, The State Department’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, USAID |
| International and Finance Institutions | World Health Organization (WHO) |
| Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | Permanent Peoples Tribunal, ONIC - Colombia, Indigenous and peasant communities of the Putumayo, Accion Ecologica - Ecuador, Defensoria del Pueblo - Colombia, CONAIE - Ecuador, World Rainforest Movement, Amnesty International, Transnational Institute, Alianza Amazonica, Coordinadora Indigena de la Cuenca Amazonica (COICA), Putamayo Womens Alliance, the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), Food & Water Watch |
| Intensity | HIGH (widespread, mass mobilization, violence, arrests, etc...) |
| Reaction stage | In REACTION to the implementation (during construction or operation) |
| Groups mobilizing: | Farmers Indigenous groups or traditional communities International ejos Local ejos Neighbours/citizens/communities Women Ethnically/racially discriminated groups Afro-colombian communities |
| Forms of mobilization: | Creation of alternative reports/knowledge Involvement of national and international NGOs Street protest/marches |
| Environmental Impacts | Visible: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Food insecurity (crop damage), Genetic contamination, Soil contamination, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality, Groundwater pollution or depletion Potential: Air pollution, Global warming, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover |
| Health Impacts | Visible: Occupational disease and accidents, Infectious diseases, Deaths Potential: Exposure to unknown or uncertain complex risks (radiation, etc…), Other environmental related diseases |
| Socio-economical Impacts | Visible: Loss of livelihood, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Militarization and increased police presence, Violations of human rights |
| Project Status | Stopped |
| Conflict outcome / response: | Deaths, Assassinations, Murders New legislation Under negotiation Violent targeting of activists The Monsanto corporation was accused of supplying toxic substances to Colombia, it was charged by the hearing on Biodiversity of the Permanent Peoples Tribunal. |
| Proposal and development of alternatives: | A new anti-drug policy in Colombia that invests in development and alternative crop programs that provide farmers a path out of the drug trade. |
| Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | Yes |
| Briefly explain: | After WHO report asserting the potential risks of glyphosate on humans health, aerial fumigation of the pesticide have ended in May 2015. At the end of 2015, the Colombian National Drugs Council have adopted a new anti-drug policy. The plan considers the relocation of farming families, assisting them to switch crops. |
| Juridical relevant texts related to the conflict (laws, legislations, EIAs, etc) |
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| References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries |
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| Related media links to videos, campaigns, social network |
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| Contributor: | Lucie Greyl |
| Last update | 18/08/2019 |
| Conflict ID: | 486 |