Ten tons of illegal pesticides seized last year
Some 10.2 tons of illegal or counterfeit pesticides were sized last year as a result of inspections carried out by the Pesticide and Toxic Chemical Control Board (PTCCB) on pesticide importers, vendors, distributors, toxic chemical control importers, supermarkets, general and hardware stores and community market countrywide. This is according to PTCCB’s Annual Report, which outlined that the semi-autonomous body, which falls under the Ministry of Agriculture conducted several inspections throughout 2017 at wharves, warehouses, major pesticides storage facilities and toxic chemical importers and industries. The PTCCB said that it collaborated with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Customs and Trade Administration at Wharf and Warehouses, to conduct four inspections, which aimed at monitoring pesticides imports. The report said “(Last year), 62 inspections were conducted at major pesticide storage facilities and recommendations were made for corrections of any non-compliance that were observed.” It was highlighted in the report that the PTCCB commenced inspection of toxic chemical importers some of which included the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation, Sterling Products Limited and Twins Manufacturing Chemists. The PTCCB operates under the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Act 2000 (No. 13 of 2000). Earlier this month, PTCCB along with ranks of the Guyana Police Force stopped a major smuggling operation, which saw the seizure of 300 kilograms of illegal or unregistered pesticides. The operation saw officials searching the home of Veerasammy Armogan of Crabwood Creek Backland, Grant 1779 Corentyne, Berbice where the illegal pesticides, among other contraband were unearthed. Legal proceedings have been initiated against Armogan for the possession of illegal/unregistered pesticides with intent to distribute, sell or use. It was noted that the confiscated items are highly hazardous pesticides and pose significant risks to human health, agricultural production, economic trade and the environment.
(Kaieteur News Online)