Eighty-three cartons of unregistered pesticides were confiscated by Inspection and Enforcement Officers of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) from China Trading, as the officers conducted routine inspection activities.
The seized illegal pesticides
The PTCCB in a media release stated that its seizure the 83 cartons of unregistered pesticides from China Trading is in keeping with the PTCCB’s mandate to “eliminate the importation, sale and use of illegal pesticides while reducing the availability of these unwanted products.”
According to the PTCCB, the products seized during these operations were not registered by them and “in keeping with the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Regulations 2004 (No 8 of 2004) all pesticides imported, sold and used in Guyana must be registered by the Board.”
The body further said that “the registration process helps to ensure that products imported do not contain chemicals that are banned or may be severely hazardous, and determines the level of toxicity.”
“Green Leaf Powder” – the name that the product is commonly known by, comprises mainly of Green Leaf Ants Bait, Green Leaf Cockroach Bait and Green Leaf Fly Bait. These products may be dangerous to the environment and human health, especially children, since the chemical content is unknown and may be highly toxic, the PTCCB said.
The PTCCB is cautioning the general public to avoid purchasing and using illegal pesticides especially in their homes, offices, restaurants, hotels etc.
The entity said also that street vending of pesticides is “illegal and as such, pesticides should not be purchased from the ‘man in street’ but from a licensed vending shop.”
The PTCCB in its release said that their enforcement activities have so far resulted in the confiscation of 444kg of illegal agricultural and household pesticides from numerous businesses countrywide and that “enforcement activities are continuing and illegal pesticides will continue to be confiscated as part of the PTCCB’s zero tolerance campaign against illegal pesticides.”
The Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board recently seized over $4 million worth of illegal agriculture and household pesticides and products during a two-month exercise conducted across the country.
