Pesticides News No 27
The Journal of the Pesticides Trust
[now PAN UK]
An international perspective on the health and environmental effects of pesticides
Quarterly/March 1995
Food residues
New tests reveal high residues
Research findings announced by the Ministry of Agriculture (MA FF) on 18 January have shown that unexpectedly high residues of organophosphate (OP) insecticides occur in some carrots. The Ministry has announced restrictions on the use of OPs to restore the margins of safety.
Third world
The alarming use of agrochemicals in Rondonia, Brazil
A survey of smallholders in the region of Rolin de Moura has confirmed the generalised and increasing use of agrochemicals in Rondonia, Amazonia and detected negligence and a Series of irregularities in the sale and use of the products. This has led to several cleat/is and poisonings and the development of a serious threat to the regions inhabitants and environment. Jose Neuton Alves de Oliveira and Altair de Oliveira Toniato have carried out a survey to assess these factors.
The health hazards of organophosphate use in South Africa6
The use of organophosphate compounds (OPs) for pest control in South Africa has increased substantially over the past decades, particularly in the fruit and vegetable-producing sectors. Expenditure on agrochemicals as a whole nearly doubled from US$93 million in 1985 to US$177 million in 1990. Leslie London of Cape Town University investigates.
Hazardous pesticides in Tanzania-the limits of registration
The development of the pesticide registration process has had achievements in Tanzania. At the same time, there are constraints which expose the hazardous nature of pesticides in a developing country. Alcheraus Rwazo of the Tanzanian Tropical Pesticides Research Institute outlines what is being done to overcome these difficult problems.
Local authority focus
New horizons for local authorities
US National Park Service succeeds
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is alive and well throughout the 90 million acres of lands and facilities by the US National Park Service (NPS). The NPS adopted an IPM policy in the late 1970s, and by 1983 had cut pesticide use by 70% and improved both the quality and longevity of pest control. A definition of IPM and programme components are described (see box) byShelia Daar of the Bio-Integral Resource Center in California.
Organic options
The National Trust is demonstrating that amenity land can he managed without the use of any synthetic chemical pesticides. The meadows of Morden Hall Park have never been exposed to pesticides or fertilisers. The park is now a thriving and popular visitor centre and an urban conservation haven in South London.
Enlightened Brighton
Brighton Borough Council was among the first to join The Pesticides Trust
[now PAN UK] Local Authorities Project soon after its establishment in 1992. Brighton now has one of the most progressive pest management policies in the UK local authority sector. The process of reviewing chemical use and looking ,for safer alternative pest management and control methods continues. The Lead Officer for the project from Brighton, Amelia Garman explains the workings and implications of the pest management policy in an interview with Mark Davis, Coordinator of the national Local Authorities Project
Weed control without herbicides: Danish examples
The aim of weed control, especially in the early stages, is to provide desired plants with optimum growing conditions, so that they are not overwhelmed by competition for light, water and nutrients. Various methods of non-chemical weed control, have been adopted by many Danish local authorities. Carl Aage Sørensen of the Danish Forest and Landscape Research Institute outlines some options available.
Cooking out timber bugs
New technology based on the use of heat to destroy pest infestations in organic materials has been developed in Germany and has recently been introduced commercially to the UK. The system, known as Thermo Lignum is designed for use on wood, textiles, books and papers, leather and other materials and objects which may suffer from pest attacks.
Special review of triazine herbicides in US-health concerns announced 16
Small doses 17
European monitor 18
International monitor 20
Book reviews and resources 22-23