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An investigative journalist and a politician ask whether the foundation also pursues commercial goals.
“The Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture SFSA is a foundation that closes the gap between research, innovation and small farmers” – this is how the Syngenta Foundation, based in Basel, advertises itself on its website. The purpose of the foundation: Small farmers in poorer regions of the world should benefit from research into seeds and pesticides.
Non-profit or commercial?
However, journalist Samuel Schlaefli has his doubts that the foundation’s activities are actually as charitable as they appear to be. Schlaefli was responsible for his research, which was carried out in collaboration with the investigative research team Reflect was created in Kenya, where the SFSA is involved, among other things.
“The farmers I visited benefit commercially from working with the foundation, but at the same time it became clear that there are a number of problems,” says Schlaefli.
Legend: Syngenta products are sold in such farmer hubs. Samuel Schlaefli
These were evident in the centers that the foundation supports in setting up – in the so-called farmer hubs. There, farmers receive support in the form of seeds or agricultural machinery and can attend courses. But numerous toxic pesticides are also offered in these farmer hubs, says Schlaefli.
Syngenta products on store shelves
“You can buy a number of highly dangerous pesticides in the hubs. Among other things, products that are banned in both the EU and Switzerland and some of which are no longer allowed to be exported. In addition, farmers would not wear protective suits when applying the pesticides. And: The farmer hubs usually sold Syngenta products.
Legend: Without protective clothing: A farmer refills spray liquid. Samuel Schlaefli
The SFSA rejects Schlaefli’s representations. «We don’t favor any company. We are neutral and leave it up to local entrepreneurs to choose products that they can and want to sell themselves,” emphasizes Paul Castle, communications manager at the Syngenta Foundation.
We are neutral and leave it to local entrepreneurs to select products.
Nevertheless, people are happy about Samuel Schlaefli’s research on site. It has been noticed that safety requirements are not being met when dealing with the sometimes highly toxic pesticides. “Some of the necessary protective suits were not available or were not sold at all,” says Castle.
We will now follow up on this tip. But one thing is clear, says Castle: The foundation acts in an entirely non-profit manner and does not pursue any commercial interests.
Legend: Daconil – Pegasus: A fungicide and an insecticide from Syngenta. Samuel Schlaefli
According to Schaefli’s research, the SFSA is also an issue in Basel politics. EPP Grand Councilor Christoph Hochuli has submitted a proposal. His demand: The Basel government must check whether the foundation is rightly tax-exempt. “The foundation directly or indirectly markets Syngenta pesticides, and a foundation is not allowed to do that,” Hochuli states.
Criticism also reached Basel politics
Hochuli is not at all satisfied with the government’s response to his proposal. The government council formulated the answer diplomatically and cautiously and was hiding behind tax secrecy. Hochuli remains firm: The tax administration or the cantonal foundation supervisory authority must examine the purpose of the Syngenta Foundation more closely.
Media inquiries on the topic are also blocked by the administration; with reference to tax secrecy. It remains unclear whether the SFSA is actually abusing its purpose.