The presence of a pesticide banned in France at a chemical site in Genay confirmed during an inspection
The Rhône prefecture announced on Wednesday that an insecticide banned in France had been found at the BASF plant in Genay. An inspection was launched after environmental activists entered the factory.
An insecticide banned in France was found at the site of German chemical giant BASF in Genay, near Lyon, during an inspection initiated after environmental activists entered the factory, the Rhône prefecture announced Wednesday. " The inspection will very soon propose the administrative follow-up to this inspection to the Rhône Prefect ," the government added.
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The environmental activist collective "Voluntary GMO Reapers" claimed to have discovered on June 23rd at BASF's premises " a stockpile of the pesticide Fastac, banned in France, as well as its active ingredient, alpha-cypermethrin, banned throughout the European Union ."
BASF had assured that it "always complied with European and national regulations as well as export laws ," particularly at its Genay site. The Ministry of Ecological Transition had requested an inspection of the site to verify the environmentalists' claims. The inspection was carried out on June 30 by the classified installations inspectorate of the Regional Directorate for the Environment, Planning and Housing (DREAL).
"This inspection confirmed the production and presence of stocks of the phytopharmaceutical product +Fastac+ containing alpha-cypermethrin, intended for export, which is prohibited by the EGALIM law ," said the Rhône prefecture.
According to the ministry, this law has banned " the production, storage, and circulation in France " of this product since 2022. However, the manufacture or import of alpha-cypermethrin alone " for non-phytosanitary purposes (e.g., biocides or veterinary products) remains possible, subject to compliance with applicable regulations ."
Lyon Capitale
