Glyphosate Settlement Sparks Calls for Agrochemical Reform in Uganda

Bayer's $7.25 billion Roundup settlement highlights critical weaknesses in Uganda's agrochemical regulation, where highly hazardous molecules banned in the EU are widely used. Experts urge the government to ban these chemicals, strengthen enforcement, and enact new laws to protect farmers and public health. Concerns also rise over farmer misuse, soil degradation, and threats to organic exports. A shift towards agroecological practices and robust regulatory reform is deemed essential to safeguard Uganda's future.

The proposed $7.25 billion settlement by Bayer over its Roundup (Glyphosate) herbicide cancer claims has severely eroded confidence in Africa's agro-chemical regulatory systems, particularly impacting countries like Uganda. Despite agriculture being its economic backbone, Uganda faces dire consequences due to thin chemical surveillance, fragmented poison exposure data, and slow legal recourse. A significant concern is that 51% of agrochemicals registered for use in Uganda are Highly Hazardous Molecules, many prohibited in the European Union due to their toxicity.While Uganda possesses the Agricultural Chemicals (Control) Act, its enforcement is hampered by weaknesses, limited laboratory capacity, and uneven inspection regimes, allowing dangerous substances to persist in the market. Experts are vociferous in their calls for reform. Bwambale Benard of CONSENT urges a ban on hazardous molecules, citing Uganda's Bamako Convention commitments. Dr. David Kabanda of CEFROHT advocates for a new law to eliminate glyphosate, emphasizing improved monitoring and accountability. Additionally, Katende Stephen Serunjogi from Makerere University highlights farmer misuse stemming from inadequate knowledge, while Hakim Baliraine of ESAFF Uganda points out the irony of banned EU chemicals being exported to Africa, urging action within EU-AU parliamentary structures.The long-term implications are profound, encompassing public health risks like carcinogenicity and neurotoxicity, environmental degradation through compromised soil health, and threats to Uganda's vital organic produce exports due to tightening international residue standards. To counter these challenges, a decisive policy shift is imperative. Recommendations include fully applying the precautionary principle in pesticide approval, phasing out globally classified Highly Hazardous Chemicals, enhancing independent risk assessment, boosting residue testing capabilities, and integrating agroecological practices to rebuild soil health and ensure public well-being.