Government to regulate sale of pesticides

Government will be controlling the sale of pesticides in Barbados, amid concerns about indiscriminate use of the potentially dangerous substances.

Noting the health risks associated with the use of pesticides and the environmental damage they could cause, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Indar Weir said the days of persons who have not been trained on how to use them being able to purchase them, must come to an end.

“We are definitely going to be restricting the sale of pesticides to the general public and then there will be a protocol in place for farmers to be able to have access to pesticides,” he said.

Minister Weir, who addressed the issue while speaking to members of the media following the launch of the Pesticides Container Management Scheme at River Plantation, St Philip on Wednesday, said glyphosate is one such harmful pesticide which led to a company in the United States having to pay a man who alleged he developed cancer from using the chemical acid.

“These things affect people over time. I have seen with my own two eyes, a gentleman who actually worked on a farm, his entire skin had changed and it was extremely painful. And when I spoke to him, he had told me that he was using pesticides without gear and his doctors advised him that it is as a result of using it that he had the skin problem,” Weir said.

“Many people have been using pesticides indiscriminately, but what we do know is that we have to stop the practice and make sure that we provide enough education for people to understand the importance of proper use and disposal.”

The Pesticides Container Management Scheme developed by the Ministry of Education is designed to assist farmers by advising users to first read the pesticide labels carefully, in order to determine where and how each should be used and in what quantities.

Minister Weir said the indiscriminate disposal of empty pesticide containers among crops has also been a serious cause for concern. He said not only is the practice a danger to the environment but it also poses a direct risk to persons who may use the containers, unaware of their original contents.

He said: “We have a responsibility to ensure that our children in particular, cannot easily access these containers. Children are naturally inquisitive and are known to make toys of anything. Farmers, you have a responsibility to eliminate any health hazards on your farm, by ensuring that the areas under cultivation or where animals are being kept are always well maintained.”

The Minister further explained that River Plantation was chosen to launch the campaign because of its large farming community.
(anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb)