31 more persons trained as pesticide control operators

Student Georgetown: The Ministry of Agriculture’s Pesticides and Toxic Chemical Control Board (PTCCB) recently graduated its third batch of 31 pesticide control operators who completed the basic proficiency training that will allow them to effectively apply pesticides in homes, schools, restaurants and elsewhere.

This programme started out with 100 persons, and close to 90 percent reached graduation stage.

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy who delivered the feature address at the event held at the Impeccable Banquet Hall, Brickdam,  lauded the board for the role it has been playing in ensuring persons are compliant with the law as it relates to hazardous chemicals.

One requirement in the legal framework and the operational setting for responsible use and management for hazardous chemicals is a cadre of informed and trained personnel in the use of those chemicals.

Speaking on training, Minister Ramsammy said that by 2020, the ministry is hoping to graduate more students in the more advanced course. This course, he said will eventually be integrated into the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) and while the board will continue to oversee this course, it will be a part of the GSA curriculum.

Minister Ramsammy further noted that is it extremely important to ensure that the citizens of Guyana are educated on pesticides. Chemicals internationally registered for use are approved by the local chemical board, and Minister Ramsammy said that it is “reckless” for any registered and un-registration business to bring chemicals in Guyana without the necessary registration and authorisation.

Guyana is a signatory to two important global conventions, the Stockholm Convention and the Montreal Protocol, which deal with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and ozone-depleting substances. The Minister added that Guyana is one of those countries committed to meeting those obligations, hence the Pesticides and Chemical Control Act was made into law, and the PTsticide and Toxic Chemical Control Board was established.

The effects of improper use of pesticides are dreadful, and can contribute to illness and death of people. “If we do not have responsible use of pesticides, there are dire consequences. Last year, more than two million people fell ill from pesticides, and about one million died of pesticide related illnesses,” Minister Ramsammy emphasised. He said that animals can also be affected, and it can contribute to the degradation of soil and the environment.

However, the increase in yields, and agriculture and food production, and the fact that more people are living in food secure environment and more countries are food secure, the availability and access to pesticides is essential.

Chairman of PTCCB, Dr. Leslie Munroe said that pesticide control operators have a very important role to pay in society, as it relates to releasing toxic chemicals into the environment. He said that over the past few years, the PTCCB has been involved in training a number of persons, including farmers and vendors.

Munroe further noted that the aim is to ensure that everyone is educated on the advantages and disadvantaged of the use of chemicals.