Hyacinth Chin-Sue

THE Pesticides Control Authority (PCA) said it will shortly be organising a series of drives to pull unregistered pesticides off the shelves of farm stores islandwide.

This move comes, the PCA said, as several manufacturers and farm store operators continue to "blatantly" flout its regulations.

The PCA will be moving to ensure that only registered pesticides reach the market. (File photo)

No dates were announced for the commencement of the clamp down.

But in making the announcement, the Authority warned that it will not hesitate to prosecute manufacturers and farm store operators found in possession of unregistered pesticides.

Meanwhile, registrar at the PCA, Hyacinth Chin-Sue, insists that several attempts have been made to get persons involved in the pesticides trade to register their products with that body.

"I think farm store operators have been provided with enough information to realise that if the product is not registered, there are channels to get some kind of compliance," Chin-Sue argued..

In addition, she said the PCA "is prepared to work with the operators once they show a willingness and understanding that special precautions and facilities have to be in place for the safety of persons who repackage the product as well as the consumer."

Chin-Sue explained that there were two main ways of registering a product made locally. One was to satisfy the PCA that the facility in which the product was developed, was safe for both the worker and the environment. This was very important, she said, in the event of accidents while mixing chemicals.

The other requirement was to provide the PCA with proof of the contents of the product, such as toxicity of active ingredients. The product would be tested to verify the contents. A proper label identifying the manufacturer and the address would then be affixed to the products.

The Registrar said the PCA was currently examining the distribution system as it related to the repackaging of pesticides. She explained that so far, 'over 70 per cent" bought pesticides products in bulk containers and "then break down the big packages into smaller ones because it is more economical."

According to Chin-Sue, customers who request small quantities of pesticides because of limited financial resources, were encouraging this practice. The PCA, she noted, kept a record of all the farm stores that repackaged products and the products they repackaged. She said that the operators of these stores were told to "install certain facilities" or else they would not be allowed to continue repackaging products.

Chin-Sue also noted that the major problems which arose with repackaging had to do with the inability of many consumers to have access to the correct and proper labelling of the repackaged product.

"In many instances, the repackaged product is not labelled properly, leading to mix ups regarding the use of the product and the safety of the user of the product," she said.

As part of the pesticides awareness week, being observed from September 23-29, the registrar said that emphasis would be placed on the adherence to regulations by farm store operators.

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