US ‘accepts’ Colombia’s decision to halt aerial glyphosate spraying
May 19, 2015
US ‘accepts’ Colombia’s decision to halt aerial glyphosate spraying
posted by Talor Gruenwald
The US will continue to support Colombia’s efforts against drug trafficking in spite of the South American country’s decision to ban the US-supported use of glysophate, its ambassador to Bogota said.
Despite coca fumigation being an extremely important aspect of the US-Colombia strategy to decrease coca production and fight drug trafficking — with the US having invested hundreds of millions of dollars over the past several decades on the program — US ambassador Kevin Whitaker stated that US support for Colombia’s anti-drug program is unwavering.
“The aerial eradication program is a government of Colombia program; we are partners in that effort. If aerial eradication is not possible, in coordination with our Colombian allies, we will continue our efforts to use other tools.” explained Whitaker in a press statement.
Among the “other tools” referenced by Whitaker is more support for crop substitution programs that encourage local farmers to destroy their illicit crops and produce legal ones instead.
More:
http://colombiareports.com/us-accepts-colombias-decision-to-halt-aerial-glyphosate-spraying/