P-au-P., February 27, 2024 [AlterPresse] — The Haitian Advocacy Platform for Alternative Development (Papda) encourages social forces to file complaints with the World Trade Organization (WTO), after the results of a study carried out by researchers at the University of Michigan (Um)revealing the high risk of cancers and other diseases in Haiti, due to imported American rice, in an interview given to the AlterPresse / AlterRadio platform.
The executive secretary of Padpa, the economist Camille Chalmers, recommends criminally attacking the American state for dumping as well as the rice producers in the United States of America, with emphasis on the laws which govern market products.
The Haitian authorities must take advantage of the various mechanisms within the World Trade Organization (WTO) to do so, insists the Papda.
La Papda calls on Haitian leaders to take advantage of this situation to advocate during the reorganization of laws on agricultural production in the United States.
The general population must mobilize to take its food sovereignty more seriously and demand control measures on products exported to Haiti, such as chicken parts filled with hormones harmful to human health, she encourages.
Rice exported to Haiti – mainly from the United States of America – contains unhealthy levels of arsenic and cadmium, which can increase the risk of various cancers, heart disease, diabetes and other illnesses, research shows. Um in the United States of America, conducted in partnership with the Haitian Agricultural Community Organization.
“Rice contains twice as much arsenic as locally grown rice. Another important reason to advocate and support sustainable local food production in Haiti. »
This study is the first to compare the amount of heavy metals in local rice versus rice exported from foreign countries, say the University of Michigan researchers.
Recover Haiti’s food sovereignty
The revelations, made by the University of Michigan on the harmfulness of rice imported from the United States to Haiti, constitute an imperative opportunity for the State in Haiti to take measures to allow the country to recover its food sovereignty, opinion of the Papda.
All Haitians should be outraged by such revelations, considers Papda, which suggests that the State strengthen funding and support for national production.
“With a consumption of 500 thousand metric tons, Haiti produces between 80 to 120 thousand metric tons of rice each year. Many experts say that the Artibonite Valley has the capacity to double production.”
There are other agricultural spaces in Haiti, which potentially have the capacity to increase agricultural production, she notes.
“There is an urgent need to increase agricultural production, so that we have policies to support national production, agricultural producers,” believes the Papda, hoping that Haiti recovers its food sovereignty.
“Haiti has the capacity to produce its own rice. The worst, there are Haitian institutional measures, which impose on us this dependence on food manufactured externally,” regrets Professor Camille Chalmers.
These qualities of rice are carcinogenic and can lead to serious cardiovascular diseases, he warns.
“We import 82% to 83% rice. This places Haiti in second or third place among the most important rice importing countries in the world. “, puts forward Papda, to explain the reactions of American exporters against the popularization of the University of Michigan study.
Thus, faced with the harmful risks that American rice could cause on the Haitian population, Papda fears how a large number of Haitian citizens could be affected by diseases, due to the consumption of rice in Haiti.
The USA Rice Federation reacts
In response to the University of Michigan study, indexing the health implications of American rice exported to Haiti, the United State of America (USA) Rice Federation declares, in a press release dated February 24, 2024, its unwavering commitment towards the highest standards of quality and health in all its rice exports.
She reassures to prioritize a safe, nutritious and affordable supply of high-quality rice.
“Rice grown in the United States contains the lowest levels of arsenic in the world, according to the United Nations World Health Organization,” argues the United State of America Federation.
The U.S. rice industry says it believes its rigorous quality controls and adherence to international health standards would demonstrate the safety and nutritional value of U.S. rice. [je emb rc apr 27/02/2024 14:10]
