Chemical Giants Like BASF Continue Selling Hazardous Pesticides to Brazilian Sugar Farms, Raising Alarm Over Health Risks

An alarming investigation has uncovered that pesticides banned in the European Union due to their harmful health effects are still being exported to Brazil, where they are used on sugar farms that supply major international corporations like Nestlé. Despite their prohibition in Europe, these chemicals, produced by some of the continent’s largest chemical companies including BASF, Syngenta, and Bayer, continue to be sold in Brazil, raising serious concerns over human health.

These pesticides have been linked to severe health issues such as cancer, reproductive disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. The products are reportedly being used on farms that supply the global sugar market, which feeds into high-profile brands like Nestlé, further complicating the ethics of their use.

European authorities banned these chemicals after extensive research into their harmful effects on human health. Yet, their export to Brazil continues, as these pesticides remain in demand for use in agriculture, particularly in sugar production. The continued sale of these chemicals to Brazil has drawn condemnation from environmental and health advocates, who decry it as an “abhorrent” practice.

The export of banned pesticides from Europe to Brazil highlights a growing concern about the global trade in toxic chemicals and the challenges of enforcing stricter environmental and health protections. As the investigation unfolds, calls for accountability and more rigorous controls on pesticide exports are likely to grow.