M. Edmond Lewis. Crop Physiologist Sugar Industry Research Institute

Transcription

1 By M. Edmond Lewis Crop Physiologist Sugar Industry Research Institute

2 World trade revolves around understanding, consensus, & binding agreements called protocols, treaties or conventions Regardless of terminology, rules are the same

3 A treaty is an expressed agreement entered into by sovereign states and international organisations, under international law

4 Three international conventions to which countries subscribe with regards to manufacture, sale and disposal of hazardous materials (HM) HM include chemical products classed as pesticides - herbicides and other agro chemicals; few industrial chemicals

5 Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) aims to protect human health and the environment from chemicals that remain active for long periods, and tend to accumulate in the fatty tissues of humans and wildlife. It requires parties to take measures to eliminate or reduce the release of POPs into the environment.

6 Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent (PIC) aims to promote shared responsibilities in relation to importation of hazardous chemicals. It encourages open exchange of all information relating to safe handling, and any known restrictions or bans. Pesticide regulators can decide whether or not to allow the importation of chemicals listed in the treaty.

7 Basle Convention on Hazardous Wastes was designed to prevent the transfer of hazardous waste from developed to less developed countries (LDCs), and to assist LDCs to manage the hazardous and other wastes they generate. Includes donations to LDCs

8 A hazardous material is any item or agent (biological, chemical, physical) which has the potential to cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment, either by itself or through interaction with other factors

9 Pesticide is a broad term, covering a range of products that are used to control pests insect killers (insecticides) mould and fungi killers (fungicides) weedkillers (herbicides) slug pellets (molluscicides) plant growth regulators, (stimulators, retardants) Nematode granules (nematocides), rat and mouse killers (rodenticides), and Some industrial chemicals (used in paints)

10 Growing population, increased urbanisation, less cultivable lands Farmers must increase yields on increasingly fewer available hectares Consumers demand foods in picture perfect conditions without blemishes or other marks Must protect crops to secure adequate yields

11 Weeds 34% Animals 18% Pathogens 16% Source: Oerke 2006

12 Crops used as indicator Soybean* 60% Wheat* 50% Rice* 75% Corn* 66% Cotton 80% Potato 71% Sugarcane* 65% Sources: Oerke 2006; SMAJ, 1968

13 Pesticides are meant to kill (weeds, insects, moulds, nematodes, etc.) Pesticides are real poisons Can harm people, wildlife, the environment Need strict controls re sale and use

14 Lab Animal Resource Centre (LARC) US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) World Health Organisation (WHO) Reclassify pesticides based on hazards

15 High acute toxicity: paraquat, 2,4-D & analogues (oral LD 50 <500) Possible human carcinogen: atrazine, metolachlor, others Long residual effects: diuron, terbutryn, isoxaflutole, clomazone, metribuzin, others Reproductive and fetotoxic effects: 2,4-D, others

16 Countries of Europe, Asia and North America have enacted legislations regarding use of pesticides in peculiar instances. Province of Ontario, Canada, instituted a ban on the usage of pesticides for cosmetic/aesthetic purposes Recognise roles of pesticides in public health & agriculture; Restricted usage

17 Use of pesticides for non-essential or beautification purposes Use outdoor to improve appearance of lawns, gardens, landscapes Treating plants to enhance their appearance ahead of a flower show

18 A banned pesticide is one "for which all registered uses have been prohibited by final government action or for which all requests for registration or equivalent action for all have, for health or environmental reasons, not been granted.

19 One which poses risk to human health or the environment even when used according to directions on label Applicator must demonstrate competence in use of such pesticides Can only be bought & used by certified pest applicators Would exclude most small scale cane producers

20 Some restrictions imposed due to ignorance Submission of additional data results in reversal of restricted status Herbicides:Terbutryn, Metribuzin Other classifieds

21 Availability depends on PCA Jamaica Withdraw (ban) atrazine groundwater contaminant Withdrawn MSMA (produced for export only) Review: Paraquat, 2,4-D and analogues

22 Train pesticide handlers at many levels Certify in handling, transportation, storage, and use of restricted pesticides Farm Managers Store Operators Spray team supervisors Spray machine operators

23 PCAJ do declare that: All herbicides currently registered for sugarcane are valid for use as per label requirements Restricted herbicides need certification for purchase and use Review of questioned herbicides will be ongoing

24 Following sugarcane herbicides remain on register as at October ,4-D & analogues Ametryn & mixtures (excluding atrazine) Asulam, diuron & mixtures, glyphosate, glufosinate, hexazinone Isoxaflutole, metolachlor, metribuzin Metsulfuron, paraquat, pendimethalin, trifloxysulfuron Terbutryn & mixtures

25 Pesticide Control Authority (Mr. Michael Ramsay) JAST for accepting this paper Director & Ag. Services Mgr, SIRI

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