The Pesticide Control Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Security, will host a workshop on hazardous pesticides tomorrow, Friday, September 6.
The workshop, which will examine the adverse dangers these pesticides pose to both health and the environment, will be conducted in the Ministry’s Conference Room at Graeme Hall, Christ Church, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
However, those unable to attend in person, may access the Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85175189243?pwd=jctjO9HaqFOJVOIMHEgqaXPHQCzFUB.1 Meeting ID: 851 7518 9243
Passcode: 374607
Acting Registrar of Pesticides in the Unit, Gennia Oxley, emphasised the importance of the one-day workshop.
“Some of these pesticides, though not banned locally or internationally, cause harm to persons who may not take the necessary precautions needed to use the products and thus expose themselves to the dangers that they pose. As such, we need to take a different approach on how we use these chemicals to address pest problems,” Ms. Oxley stated.
Adding that the Ministry anticipates a wide cross-section from community to be in attendance, she remarked: “Farmers, retailers, public health practitioners, government officers, students involved in agricultural studies, and non-governmental officers have all been invited to participate. The reason for this is that these various entities need to be involved in the discussion if we are to find feasible solutions.”
The workshop, a collaborative effort with The Rotterdam Convention, to which Barbados is party, will also see the participation of a representative from the Food and Agricultural Organization.