Taiwan Church News 3243 Edition April 21 - April 27, 2014 Church Ministry News Say No To Ecological Devastation, Rotam CropSciences Is Strongly Protested In Xinhua, Tainan Reported by Simon Lin Rotam CropSciences Ltd, ranked as the 8th agrochemicals manufacturer around the globe, was strongly protested at her new plant's construction ceremonyat Xinhua by local people and Tavocam Green Environment Alliance on April 1st. Because the major products of Rotam CropSciences are crops growth regulators, plant nutrients and veterinary chemicals, which are highly toxic agrocheimicals like herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and etc, local people and environment group worry very much about the unpredictable risk of possible toxic pollution on air, water, land and life once Rotam CropSciences is allowed to construct her plant and start production. Tainan Mayor, Lai Chin-der, said on April 17 that Rotam CropSciences is legally allowed to build up her factory buildings according to the routine procedure applied to all manufacturers. But, Lai explained further that the approval of factory building is absolutely different from the permission of plant operation. On April 18, forced by more and more pressure and dissident voices from local citizens and environmental groups, the licence of Rotam's factory building is annulled by Mayor Lai as it is found expired. And Mayor Lai pledges to keep a watch on this case, once there is any possibility leading to deadlyl pollution, he would never approve the plant operation. In the evening on April 18, an Anti Rotam CropSciences assembly is held by Tavocam Green Environment Alliance at the plaza of the Wu-der Temple at Xinhua, about 3500 people take part in this environment-protecting event. Rev. Chang Li-fu, Pastor of Xinhua Presbyterian Church, also attended this assembly with his congregation members to express their concern about this homeland. Translated by Peter Wolfe |