Vegetables being sprayed with herbicide in a garden (file photo) Photo: 123RF
Two mayors in French Polynesia have issued bans on the use of pesticides, joining a controversial campaign launched in France.
La Depeche de Tahiti reported the mayors of Hiva Oa and Ua Huka in the Marquesas islands have issued orders prohibiting the use of pesticides.
The paper said with their decisions the mayors hoped to open a debate about the health risks posed by chemical products to agriculture and nutrition.
It said they wanted to discuss ways to find solutions that are less noxious to humans.
Their action followed a campaign launched by a mayor in Brittany whose ban was replicated by dozens of mayors.
The bans have however been declared illegal by the French courts.