Safety vs. sovereignty: Stakeholders split over increasing imports of ‘cleaner’ phosphates
As reported by euractiv, Stakeholders are calling on the European Commission to stop prioritising home-grown phosphates high in cancer-causing cadmium over imports of cleaner products from non-EU countries, but others warn that this risks sacrificing EU autonomy.
The complete press report can be found following the link below. Read an abstract here:
Stakeholders are calling on the European Commission to stop prioritising home-grown phosphates high in cancer-causing cadmium over imports of cleaner products from non-EU countries, but others warn that this risks sacrificing EU autonomy.
Cadmium is a naturally occurring soft metal, chemically similar to zinc and mercury, which can be found in rock phosphate, a key element in the manufacture of phosphate mineral fertilisers.
The metal has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a group one carcinogen that affects the liver, kidney and bones.
Cadmium accumulates in the soil, where it is taken up by crops, especially certain food groups such as vegetables, nuts, potatoes and meat.
According to soil expert and scientist Ettore Capri, director of the OPERA Research Centre, cadmium’s cancer-causing properties have been known for many years and it is clear that it poses a threat both to human and environmental health, especially that of vulnerable groups such as children.
Despite this risk, there is a low level of awareness of cadmium exposure among consumers, according to Floriana Cimmarusti, secretary-general of Safe Food Advocacy Europe (SAFE).
Further Information
complete press report