OPEN LETTER TO MRS MAGGY DE BLOCK, MINISTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND TO MR DENIS DUCARME, MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE

We relay the open letter of the Grappe, asking for the suspension of the use of SDHI fungicides, which act on the cellular respiration of all living beings. So are we. One more scandal in the picture.

Madam Minister, Mr. Minister,

On April 16, 2018, a group of French researchers and physicians published in the press, a
a solemn call for a suspension of the use of SDHI fungicides. SDHIs are intended to destroy fungi and moulds on crops. They are also used for the preservation of fruits, vegetables and seeds, as well as for the maintenance of lawns and golf courses. To do this, they block the functioning of the enzyme SDH, essential in cellular respiration. The problem is that this enzyme is found in the cells of all living beings, including humans.

Scientists suspected that SDHIs could cause cellular dysfunction in
man. Based on the insufficiency of toxicological tests prior to their authorization
of marketing, they requested the suspension of their use. This call was not heard.

This November 7, 2019, a new study published in the scientific journal Plos One⁽¹⁾, confirms the toxicity of SDHI fungicides. The researchers studied 8 fungicides of this family and found some particularly interesting facts. All of them are toxic for bees, earthworms and … humans. The study even showed that some of these fungicides are more effective in preventing the cellular respiration of earthworms and bees, and thus killing them, than in destroying molds and fungi. One of the SDHIs, flutolanil, is more toxic to human cells than to fungal cells.In people with neurological disorders or neurodegenerative diseases due to impaired cellular respiration and/or hypersensitivity to oxidative damage, SDHI toxicity is particularly high. These new data further justify the call for the suspension of authorizations for all SDHIs; they provide ample justification for our request, as set out below.

We, the undersigned, believe that the release of SDHI fungicides is causing a
unacceptable risk for the health of all and for biodiversity.
We therefore request that, under the emergency procedure provided for in
Chapter IX of Regulation 1107/2009 (Article 71), the Belgian State shall suspend
immediately the marketing authorization of all fungicidal products to
based on SDHI.

We also request that the Belgian State inform the Commission at the same time
of the need for an emergency ban on SDHI at the European level.
Done in Namur, on Friday, November 29, 2019.
Grappe asbl- Rue Raymond Noël 100 5170 Bois de Villers tel 081 23 09 69
www.grappe.be info@grappe.be paul.lannoye@skynet.be