Pesticide poison victims in France asked to join legal action

Victims of pesticide poisoning are being asked to join a group legal action for an indemnity fund, similar to one established for farmers last year.

Lawyer and former French envi­ronment mini­ster Corinne Lepage said “around a dozen” people have signed up so far but that she hopes to have 100 by the time she files the case in mid-May. 

It could then take up to two years for a first hearing.

Read more: Which areas of France have the most organic farming?

Farmers have their own fund for pesticide poisonings

Claimants must live within 150m of fields or vineyards subject to agricultural spraying and suffer from non-Hodgkin lym­phoma, Parkinson’s disease, prostate cancer, or congenital condi­tions or illnesses.

The case is based on equality of treatment between farmers and other citizens — farmers have their own fund to help if they get illnesses which might be caused by pesticides.

Some limits were fixed from 2020 – 20 metres for a few products that have been proved to be dangerous, and other­wise 5-10 metres. 

Any exceptions are listed here.

Read more: Why are more young people in France getting cancer?

How to join the legal action

Victims of pesticide poisoning can get more information on the case here. 

Claimants will be asked for medical docu­ments and to show they lived within 150m of fields. 

There is a €40 fee for their case to be studied. If accepted, another €230 will be required. 

Ms Lepage will charge 8% of any settlement as part of her fee.