There is need for safe storage, education of pesticide and toxic chemicals

by in Guyana, News

leslie-ramsammyGeorgetown: Recognizing the importance of practicing safe storage and education of pesticide and toxic chemicals in Guyana, Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy during the 2014 National Debate once again reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to this cause.

He added that while much has been done at the level of the Ministry through the aegis of the Pesticide, Toxic and Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB), to promote the sound management of Chemicals, Guyana will be disposing six (6) tonnes of pesticide in keeping with commitment the country made under the Dubai Declaration.

Of the pesticides Diazinon 5G, Dichloran and Endrinhave seen the majority being disposed. The disposal of absolute chemicals by the Pesticide, Toxic and Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) is in keeping with international obligations the country signed onto.

The Dubai Declaration was initiated in 2006 when Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations gathered in Dubai during an International Conference on Chemical Management.

“During the session a process of negotiations were culminated among the leaders all within the framework of the Preparatory Committee for the Development of a Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management” the Minister said.

According to Dr. Ramsammy, such initiatives are needed if the country is to adopt more responsible use of pesticides and called for all players to take a strategic approach to chemical management,all with the aim of making chemicals safer for humans and the planet.

“If we are serious about making chemicals safer for humans and the planet we must first address risk assessments of chemicals….these must carry provisions for national centers especially in the developed world to train not only staff, but farmers in chemical safety including how to effectively deal with spills, storage and accidents,” the Agriculture Minister said.

Recently, the Pesticide and Toxic Chemical Control Board (PTCCB), hosted a symposium on chemical convention where calls were made for countries to play their role in ensuing not only safe practices of chemical, but also abiding by conventions of which they agreed to such as the Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions.

During the symposium Dr. Ramsammy stressed the need for all to play their part and committed to the continued work by the Pesticide and Toxic Chemical Control Board to working with farmers in the responsible use of chemicals.

“Under the PTCCB, we will continue to educate the public on the importance of proper storage of chemicals…Guyana will continue to play its part in this fight;however, there are some countries lacking in terms of their global obligations,” he said.

In 2009, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) developed a Pesticide Disposal Programme (PDP) for the Caribbean Region, which was officially launched in 2009 in Guyana. The PDP program outline, stipulates that selected country develop a ‘Comprehensive Obsolete Pesticide Inventory’ of which will be disposed of by the FAO at a central location.

Such a location is integral to Guyana’s continued development on chemical management.

The obsolete pesticide to be disposed are as follow;-

Obsolete Pesticide Stockpile Inventory Pesticide

Quantity (kg)

Pesticide

Quantity (kg)

Pesticide

Quantity (kg)

PTCCB Storage Bond

Unlabelled

111.3

Turque

3.6

Nomina

1.8

Cyanmid

0.6

Superkill

1.3

Cure

0.27

Diazion

1.9

Admister

9.6

Ronstar Flo

0.62

Fusirore

12

Karatox

0.3

Monodrin

1.3

Karteka

142.5

Commando

0.3

Herbizone

17

Malathion

14.0

Candela

0.3

Biopel 2X

6.5

Abamectin

16.6

Superkill

0.65

Best Act

1.3

Glyphosate

26

Admajor

87.9

Armado

0.3

Fusirore

3.2

Manzeb

14

Ants Powder

10

Hostathion

2.7

Carbendazim

5

Aluminum Phosphate

0.5

Abalotin

7.8

Prontax

7

Fentin Acetate

51

Glyfokill

1.3

Bellmark

0.3

Rebevo

0.25

Ronstar

0.6

Agrotac

88

Ethephon

234

SandoxAgri

1.3

Vydate-L

0.3

Farmixone

5.2

Fastax

1.6

Fuzi One

0.65

Bestac

78

Sub-Total

970.3

GUYSUCO Storage Bond, Ogle ECD

Diazinon 5G

318

Crotothane

250

Dichloran

300

ThaliumSulphate

1,500

Endrin*

750

Dimethoate

822

Furadan

340

Sub-Total

4,280

Ainlim Associated Ltd, Georgetown

Fenoxaprop-p-Ethyl

1,245

Aamethiphos

201

Sub-Total

1,446

Boodhoo General store, Parika

Cynamic acid

2.6

Padan 50 SP

1.1

Metsulfuran-Methyl

0.1

Sub-Total

3.8

Individual Farmers

Azoxystrobin

36

Propanil 48 EC

85

Sub-Total

121

Overall Total

6,821