Brazil is the world’s biggest pesticide market. Lax pesticide laws – in danger of becoming even looser – mean that toxic pesticides are sprayed near schools, indigenous communities, traditional Afro-Brazilian communities called quilombos, and rural communities, making people sick and endangering their long-term health. Richard Pearshouse, associate director of the Human Rights Watch environmental division, speaks with Amy Braunschweiger about the plight of rural communities, and why people are afraid to speak out against pesticide use.
