Fellow citizens and residents of Anguilla, I address you in relation to Pesticides Awareness Week, which is being held from September22nd – 28th, 2013.
From healthcare to food production, the manipulation of chemicals for human use has been nothing short of ground breaking. The most recent manipulation of chemicals for varying applications as pesticides has enabled advances in food technology areas like bio-technology and pest control. Chemicals for pesticide use have become an essential component of modern society, and some areconsidered to be the most of the notable because of their benefits in combatting global food shortages with limited risks.
Nationally, large scale use of pesticides has resulted in environmental degradation and exposing humans and wildlife to high levels of chemicals that cause adverse impacts on nature and human health.
As a result, numerous hazardous and toxic chemicals have become priorities for risk management action. Therefore at the national level,the Ministry of Environment through the Department of Environment has begun monitoring and taking assessments of pesticides and other toxic chemicals that are entering or have already been distributed throughout Anguilla.
In addition to the chemicals that are intentionally produced for commercial purposes, some chemicals are unintentionally produced as by-products. These chemical by-products will contribute to the burden of chemicals in the environment, and ultimately, to the exposure of humans and wildlife. These by-products are priorities for risk management internationally.
Public concerns about the adverse impacts of chemicals on human health and the environment have made the sound management of chemicals and their associated wastes an essential component of overall public policy in countries at all stages of development, especially small island developing states.
While chemicals can make significant contributions to resolving many modern issues like pest control products to restrict the spread of vector borne diseases such as malaria, if not properly managed, these chemicals can cause significant damage to human health and the environment. Hence, the ever present need for the Government of Anguilla to direct increasing attention to risk management actions so as to protect our citizens and our precious environment from the threats posed by toxic chemicals.
Anguilla’s risk management actions will include the development of legislative and regulatory measures to prevent and control the release of problem chemicals at appropriate stages in their life cycle. This includes engaging in such actions aspromoting adequate research and development, while at the same time ensuring that the proper transportation, storage, use and waste disposal of such chemicals are managed in an effective way so as to reduce their impact on our society.
Against this backdrop, Anguilla celebrates Pesticides Awareness Week 2013 with our Caribbean brothers and sisters, with the promotional theme: “Pesticides-Store Wise, Save Lives!”
Stakeholders including farmers, pest control operators, teachers, environmental health workers, sales persons and stock room keepers should be acquainted with the regulations governing the safe storage of pesticides and should adhere to them at all times.
As a means of further sensitizing the Anguillian Community and all other stakeholders about Pesticides Management, Some of the activities planned by the Department of Environment for pesticides week include:
Monday 23-28 September:
– Radio broadcast by the Minister if Environment
Monday 23 – 28 September:
– Build boards being mounted promoting Pesticide Week 2013.
Monday 23-28September:
-School visits and pesticide messages being read at assembly.
Monday 23-28 September
– In Collaboration with Radio Anguilla and the Albena Lake Hodge Environmental Club, a series of tips will be aired daily.
– In Collaboration with LIME, a series of messages will be disseminated with text blast.
It is important to note that at the farm level, pesticides need to be kept in a ventilated, locked room. Pesticides must be kept away from plants and livestock. The containers of such chemicals must never be used for food storage.
For households, remember to store pesticides high enough so that they are out of reach of children and pets, or locked them in a cabinet in a well-ventilated utility area or garden shed. Never store pesticides in cabinets with or near food, animal feed or medical supplies. Use child-resistant packaging correctly close the container tightly after using the product. As the theme suggests, wise storage can be lifesaving and crucial to the protection of our families.
Lastly, in the commercial setting, we should strive to design and build pesticide storage structures to keep pesticides secure and isolated from the surrounding environment. Keep a written pesticide inventory and the material safety data sheet for the chemicals used on site.
Sensitization and sharing of best practices regarding pesticides use can never be overdone. So I urge you to remember that:
– An emergency response plan should be in place and familiar to farm personnel before an emergency occurs.
– Adopt the “first in – first out” principle, using the oldest products first to ensure that the product shelf life does not expire.
Through the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Department of Environment has been working to ensure the establishment of a Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board. It is anticipated that this will be achieved through the completion of and the passage of the draft Environmental Protection Act. Once such measures are enacted, it will ensure the safe use of pesticides throughout Anguilla.
In Anguilla’s case, the establishment of such a Board should be comprised of interest groups representing such sectors as environment, agriculture, medicine and public health, trade and customs, and non-governmental organizations.
Chemicals and Pesticides will continue to be an integral part of our lives in the foreseeable future. Therefore for the sustainable management of our environment, our healthand our future, we must remember: “Pesticides-Store Wise, Save Lives!”
Thank you.
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
