Supermarket chain Cactus today announced that they will not be involved in the circulation of pesticides containing harmful chemicals such as glyphosate.
The shop currently offers more than 300 organic products within its range of fertilisers, disease treatments, soils, seeds and plants, and has taken the added step of prohibiting products that may have negative ecological and social implications.
Amongst the boycotted brands is Roundup©, a weed and grass killer which is well-known to contain the herbicide glyphosate. The use of glyphosate and other pesticides has been shown by research facilities such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer (ICRC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to be a factor in the decrease of the bee population and the contamination of water supplies, as well as a likely carcinogen.
"The decision to say STOP to Roundup© is an important and logical step for Cactus as a response to our commitment of 'Mir Setzen ons fir méi Liewensqualitéit'," said Marc Hoffmann, Marketing Director of Cactus Group S.A. "In 2016, we will be presenting our customers with alternative products techniques for gardening which is respectful to the environment and to health."
Although the Chamber of Agriculture permits the use of products containing glyphosate, Cactus has decided to discontinue selling them at Cactus Hobbi from January 2016, in keeping with their pledge to the environment and sustainable development. The campaign acts in conjunction with their current supply of 2500 organic products, along with the installation of beehives on Cactus-owned land and photovoltaic roof panels at selected outlets.
Cactus stated that it will be using the next six months to train sales staff on the new range of environmentally-conscious products, as well as the campaign to provide information to clients on natural methods of sustainable gardening.
