Eight new pesticide control officers have been appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture. This is pursuant to the Pesticide Control Act 15 of 1974 which stipulates that pesticide use must be closely monitored in Dominica.
The eight appointees are Jason Bruno, Stanton Guiste, Keston Williams, Lymbert Smith, Egbert Nelson, Asher Burton, Hilroy Williams, and Isabella John. John is the only woman among them.
Chief Pesticide Inspector, Joseph Blanford, expressed delight at the appointment of the new pesticide control officers. Noting that the new appointees would further the objectives of the agriculture ministry, Blanford said the pesticide officers will inspect land holdings and confiscate any items that breach the articles of the Pesticide Control Act.
He also added that protective gear must be acquired to enable pesticide officers to handle herbicides and pesticides with ease and without dangers to their health. According to the chief pesticide inspector, farmers will be required to provide authorization before being allowed to purchase the product, while users are enjoined to strictly follow manufacturers’ instructions in applying the chemicals to farmlands.
We still see persons applying pesticides without the necessary protective gear. My hope and dream will be that the day will come when we make those sorts of mandates before any persons can use those types of pesticides. We also have other pesticides that we are concerned are of very toxic nature and it’s part of our responsibility to ensure that persons use them in accordance with instructions and regulations.
Joseph Blanford, Chief Pesticide Inspector
The pesticide inspector boss also revealed that “my dream before I depart from the Ministry of Agriculture is that people will obtain prescriptions for the use of highly toxic pesticides…not that anyone could walk into a store to purchase a Class 1 pesticide which is extremely dangerous and extremely toxic.”
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