The Bulgaria government began to ban the use of glyphosate herbicides in areas where the public or vulnerable groups operate. These areas include: parks and flower beds, sports and recreation venues, schools and children's playgrounds, and near health and educational facilities [1].
The category of glyphosate herbicides (GBH) has been changed from non-professional to professional, which means that only distributors, consultants and professional users with a certificate issued by the Bulgaria Food Safety Authority (BFSA) can purchase and use these chemicals.
The Bulgaria Food Safety Authority has published a directive on glyphosate herbicides on its website, requiring all producers and traders to change the way glyphosate herbicides are used. These directives are:
- It should not be used by non-professional users, and all glyphosate-based products should be classified as professional use; - Aerial spraying is not permitted; - It is not allowed to be used as a desiccant or defoliant before the harvest of crops; - Shall not be used in the treatment of waterways; - must not be used in areas frequented by the public or vulnerable groups, such as parks and flower beds, sports and recreation venues, schools and children's playgrounds, and near health and educational facilities; - It shall not be used for protected areas designated under the Protected Areas Act and as part of the European Nature2000 ecological network designated under the Biological Diversity Act.
The Bulgaria Agrolink Association launched a campaign seven years ago to ban the use of glyphosate-containing herbicides, which has now been successfully completed. (Note: Founded in 1999, the Agrolink Association is made up of agronomists, botanists, ecologists and farmers who have been involved in various ways for many years in actions to reduce the harm caused by traditional chemical farming methods to natural ecosystems.) Agrolink brings together experts and farmers in a collaborative network with the aim of influencing, encouraging and helping farmers and rural society in Bulgaria to support organic farming as the most sustainable agricultural system. ）
"Following the European Commission's decision to extend the use of glyphosate in the EU for another 10 years, the Bulgaria Ministry's initiative is an important step in reducing the use of glyphosate, a herbicide that has caused catastrophic damage to human health, biodiversity, soil and water," said Dr. Svettra Nikolova, the promoter of the event. ”
Most of these bans were contained in the Agrolink Association's 2017 request, the 2020 petition [2], and an open letter to the Bulgaria authorities supported by civil society organizations and affiliates [3].
"The Agrolink Association and other organizations will continue to work with scientists and experts to guide municipalities, small yard owners, landscape architects, citizens and farmers on alternative ways to reduce the use of pesticides not only in sensitive areas such as parks, gardens, schools, but also in agricultural areas," Agrolink said in a press release. ”
"Together with scientists and doctors, the Agrolink Association will work to get Parkinson's disease from farmers suffering from the use of glyphosate recognized as an occupational disease and compensated by the state."
"We support the European Pesticide Action Network's lawsuit against the European Commission allowing glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide in Europe and the world, to continue its use for 10 years." (In January 2024, the European Pesticide Action Network filed a lawsuit against the reauthorization of glyphosate, Europe's most widely used herbicide, which is widely known for its product Roundup.) The European Pesticide Action Network, together with member organizations from Austria, France, Germany, Netherlands and Client Earth, submitted an internal review request to the European Commission. ）
"We hope that Bulgaria will become part of the European network of pesticide-free cities as soon as possible" [6].