Dominica is seeking a way forward to lessen the impact of Pesticides among its population.
Agricultural Minister, Johnson Drigo, told the opening ceremony of the 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Coordinating Group of Pesticides Control Boards of the Caribbean (CGPC) on Monday held at the Fort Young Hotel that there is evidence of inadequacies in the pest management system in the region.
“The lack of capacity at national or regional level to effect disposal of this obsolete pesticide is also evidence of inadequacies in the pesticide management system of our region,” Drigo said. “An important issue which is of interest is the availability of alternative to chemical pesticides.”
According to Drigo, it is in response to the frequency of pesticide scares in recent times that industries have moved to the neutralization of safer or low toxic pesticide.
“Considering that it takes at least 10 years to effect a ban on pesticide in the United States using current procedures, we must remain very vigilant in the management of pesticides in our region,” he stated.
He also encourages the use of natural pesticides in Dominica.
“Notwithstanding our resource limitation we have encouraged biological control or the use of naturally occurring organic pesticide in pest management as far as it’s possible,” Drigo noted. “This is consistent with government’s organic land concept introduced in the year 2000 which encompasses accelerated and sustainable use of natural resources including, but not limited to socio, cultural and indigenous community knowledge base assess…”
Meantime Director of Agriculture and Incoming Chair of the CGPC, Ricky Brumant, said Dominica must develop sustainable production systems as a vital precondition of its development.
“We must develop sustainable production systems that are viable with the required output for food both for consumption and for market and off course as a vital precondition for our country’s development,” Brumant explained. “We must guard certainly against the degradation of our eco-system ensuring that our production base is kept in check and that we are protected from the adverse effect of agro-chemicals which ultimately often times find themselves in our foods and water.”
Moreover Brumant indicated that sustainable production ensures, “our commitment to the delivering to our children and those after them an environment and ecology that is free from harmful and toxic products or the bi-products.”
Outgoing Chair of the CGPC, Dr. Malvern Spencer pointed out that although pesticide and toxic chemicals can provide many benefits to society, its usage can be “very problematic”.
“Pesticides and toxic chemicals can provide many benefits to society; we are also cognisance to the fact that if the impact and effects are not well understood and closely regulated the usage is very problematic,” Dr. Spencer explained.
As it pertains to human health and the environment; he said the CGPC continues to act as a mechanism for collaboration and corporation among the region by providing an annual forum for members to discuss issues related to pesticide use and management.
The meeting was held under the theme; “Better Together: The way forward in Sustainable Pest and Pesticide Management in the Caribbean”.
Zika is the scapegoat for the intentional decimation of people in the Caribbean by way of pesticides and vaccines. Many of the women giving birth to babies with small heads HAVE TESTED NEGATIVE FOR THE ZIKA VIRUS. However, Brazil, the center of the “Zika” crisis, uses more pesticides than any nation in the world. Some of these are banned in 22 other countries. And as for babies born with smaller heads, here is a study from Environmental Health Perspectives (July 1, 2011), “Urinary Biomarkers of Prenatal Atrazine Exposure…”The presence versus absence of quantifiable levels of [the pesticide] atrazine or a specific atrazine metabolite was associated with fetal growth restriction… and small head circumference… Head circumference … associated with the presence of the herbicide metolachlor.” Both Atrazine and metolachlor are both widely used in Brazil. See full report: http://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2016/01/zika-freakout-the-hoax-and-the-covert-op-continue-3290430.html.
Too much waffling, too much talking, too many conferences, too much per diem, too may gatherings of people that are full of self-importance in the Caribbean. You could cut all that in half easily, save money and get some real work done.
Smh!
When, I wonder, will we learn to and use Our Own Resources?!? Why do we in the Caribbean continue to look externally for help when we are blessed with resources that we ought to be utilising for Our Independence?
Ever heard of organic fertilisers ppl, use the local stuff.
Nature Island Farms (N.I.F)
We do not manufacture pesticides, like the U.S.A. does, so we have no vested interests to protect like they do – the only ones we have are the merchants importing harmful agrochemicals. We can ban imports of such chemicals tomorrow if we really want to. That does not take long speeches or conferences, just do it!
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Nuff said!
Malgraysa !
man sometimes you just have to read and do not post.. did Jamie A told you to comment all the time? you need to do karate to learn not to be implusive and react to every post on DNO.
Mr.Minister don’t you know that all the rubbish chemicals and fertilizers you all allow the agri stores to sell help with exactly what you’re talking about. Stop the importation of all these chemicals and you will see the difference, not only with pest but with human health as well. The USA ban those thing and we finding ways to import them from other countries.
I agree that these products shouldn’t be used. There are plenty of alternatives available, but not in Dominica. So how are all the farmers supposed to learn about these new advances and get hold of them? When will they be available here?
And although I understand what he is trying to say, the actual words used do not make sense.
I have the feeling that this, once again is all talk, and nothing will actually happen.
Stupes
The country is moving backward day by day.
It is late in the day but it is an axiom that needs not repeating-‘better late than never’. We have witnessed a massive deterioration in our nations health. The emergence of all sorts of cancers and illnesses previously unknown to Dominica are now common place in Dominica but unfortunately we have no environmental and public health impact studies to guide us in going forward.
Interestingly in the more developed countries herbicides such as gramoxone is unknown, yet we recall using the containers of these potent weedicides to store among other things drinking water. I dare say with the appropriate public health impact studies we would have grounds for a major class action law suit against the producers and purveyors of these chemical agents. The effects of these agents howl in the agricultural belt communities of Marigot, Wesley, Woodfordhill, Calibishie and Bense. Look at the heavy concentration of cancers in that area.
It’s so sad to listen to these misfits who are propelled into the political sport light.
I heard this guy on the 1:15 P.M news today Heaven help us!
The P.M , Black bird, Peepip/Austrie or this guy makes English seem a 5th-8th language.
It’s so sad to be living out here in London and hear this guy read and think it’s the same languge I hear daily.
I felt like vomiting more so it was almost dinner time for me here in London.
heaven help us all. I remember Instru/Earl Williams( who incidentally was born here in London) and his attempts at speaking English.Not to long ago we had a commisoner( currently retired) he said something to the effect ” I have one word Total garbage. which actually are 2 words. LMAO
When you have people like and Ricky and Drigo steering our agricultural ship,it is no wonder some of our impotent leaders are saying that VAT is the backbone of this failed state. This is mediocrity taken to the next level.With an agricultural sector in crisis these two people are only drilling holes in its coffin.
Good luck getting the toxic pesticides and herbicides out of the hands of these non-organic farmers. Monsanto and Dow knew exactly what they were doing when they introduced these substances to 3rd world countries. These people are impossible to teach. You have to start with the children. These toxic substances along with the stratospheric spraying resulting in acid rain by the planes are destroying this island.
Round Up. This product should be banned in Dominica…
Please read and learn, my people.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/06/09/monsanto-roundup-herbicide.aspx
http://www.panna.org/blog/roundup-cancer-future-food
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/roundup-ingredient-probably-carcinogenic-humans/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/25/roundup-herbicide-health-issues-disease_n_3156575.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/11/round-up-cancer-cause_n_847423.html
So funny! This morning I heard a caller on Matt’s programme, who wanted to discuss the roundup (the withdrawal of 1&2 cent coins). Matt told him that that was not the topic of discussion and that roundup could be discussed on the Farmers programme instead. I don’t think Matt realised what he said but I had to laugh! Seriously though, get rid of all harmful chemicals in agriculture and husbandry. Seriously, our boys start growing breasts because of all that imported chicken they eat.
Here are my views. Please do not take them negatively. Why is it that people in position are always saying what should be done instead of what is being done to remedy an identified problem? Do we have records of the amount of pesticides used in at least the last 20 years? Where they were predominantly used, the hydrogeology/hydrology of these areas, the suspected or confirmed health, biological and environmental impacts, what kind of pesticides, their decay life in soil and effects on humans? I have experienced first hand pesticides being sprayed from spray planes over communities and drinking water systems. Spray planes were designed for large plantations like in south america and should have been used away from streams. I have witness the use of pesticides that have know to cause sterilization in men. Where are the impact studies by ministry if environment that document the effect of pesticides. How can we put in place mitigation if we do not understand or know the full impacts?
Correction, fugicide was sprayed from spray planes on bananas. Fungicides herbicdes, or pesticides effects all the same. Bad!!