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Pesticides News No 48
The Journal of Pesticide Action Network UK
An international perspective on the health and environmental effects of pesticides
Quarterly/June 2000
Developing country hazards
Poisoning an island? Locust control in Madagascar 3
The decision to aerially-spray insecticides for the mass control of locusts in Madagascar may threaten this unique ecosystem. Barbara Dinham reports on a trail of poor decision-making, leading to the use of toxic pesticides without adequate monitoring of health or environmental impacts, or of how locusts affect food security. International donors have shown a preference for an emergency response over preventive strategies.
Chemicals in the home
What's in the shed? 7
Although farming accounts for most pesticide use in the UK, many of the pesticide chemicals found in water come from other areas of use including the home and garden sector. Over half the calls concerning pesticide poisoning that come to poisons centres concern domestic exposures involving children under twelve. This article explores some of the issues around the use, storage and disposal of home and garden pesticides.
Developing country hazards
The price of pineapples 8
In the Buenos Aires County of Costa Rica an alliance of individuals and public interest organisations has formed under the name of the Popular Front against Pollution to tackle pesticide contamination caused by the Pineapple Development Company (PINDECO), a subsidiary of Del Monte. In an interview with PAN UK Patricia Blanco Picado of the Popular Front explained the problems facing local communities.
The modern banana plantation - Still a 'green prison' 9
Green Prison is the title of a book written by a Honduran banana worker, and still depicts the life of a Central American worker in a chemically drenched and repressive environment. Alistair Smith reports.
Pesticide safety
Organic farming expert joins UK pesticide committee 10
On 30 March 2000 Christopher Stopes, a consultant in organic farming, attended his first meeting as member of the UK's Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP), the body that recommends to government ministers whether or not pesticides are safe to use. He discussed his aspirations with David Buffin.
Sustainable agriculture
Feeding the world without poisons - The 5th PAN International Conference 12
Over 120 representatives from 40 countries gathered in Dakar, Senegal for the Fifth International PAN Conference from 18-21 May 2000 - celebration of the growth of the PAN network since its inaugural meeting eighteen years ago. PAN now includes over 400 groups in 60 countries. The meeting was the first to be organised by the PAN Africa Regional Centre and included a packed agenda of panel presentations, discussions and workshops.
UK news 14-15
Under-reporting of animal poisoning incidents
Alison Craig reports on the latest results of suspected animal pesticide poisoning incidents investigated during 1998 in the UK.
GM crops face serious set-backs
Herbicide used in the government trials of genetically modified (GM) crops will increase water pollution and lock farmers into using more chemicals to manage weed resistance. John Harvey reports.
Organic farming benefits biodiversity
On 25 May UK Environment minister Michael Meacher launched a new report by the Soil Association, which shows that organic farms support much higher levels of wildlife than conventional farms.
International hazards 16
Pesticides linked to Brazilian suicides?
Research from a Dutch university has found a possible link between suicide and pesticide use in the Brazilian tobacco growing regions.
Chemical news 17
Tridemorph banned in UK
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) has banned all uses of tridemorph, a fungicide widely used against powdery mildew on barley and winter wheat.
Fact sheet 18-19
Slug and snail control - least toxic options
The range of pesticides used to kill slugs and snails are called molluscicides and are commonly sold as pellets. Molluscicides not only poison slugs and snails but can also harm domestic animals and wildlife, including hedgehogs and birds, which are natural mollusc predators. This article examines effective ways of controlling slug and snail problems safely without the hazards presented by pesticide use. By Alex Williams.
Small doses 19
Fact sheet 20-22
Fipronil
Fipronil is an insecticide discovered and developed by Rhône-Poulenc between 1985-87 and placed on the market in 1993. Although effective against a variety of pests, there are concerns about its environmental and human health effects. Actively marketed in many industrialised and developing countries its, worldwide use is increasing.
Book reviews 23