Measures to control the use of herbicides being developed

The Biotechnology Alliance Association (BAA) recently held a meeting to develop measures to control the use of certain herbicides before proposing them to the Department of Agriculture (DOA).

The BAA meeting looked into the use of paraquat, chlorpyrifos and glyphosate herbicides and how to use them in the farming industry. Experts from educational institutions, health and agriculture-related organizations also participated in the meeting.

They all agreed that a tracking system should be developed to monitor the importation of these chemicals in order to control the amount used in the farming sector. They also wanted research to be conducted to find safer alternatives to these substances.

Manufacturers of paraquat, chlorpyrifos and glyphosate must be required to provide training to farmers and retailers on how to use them safely, the meeting decided. Warning labels should also be placed on the products to provide safety instructions to users.

These herbicides should only be sold at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives’ Q shops. The BAA will ask the DOA and related agencies to review the proposed measures before seeking approval from the Hazardous Substance Committee.