Reports from China have registered
problems in Guangxi Province, where 200 students were admitted to hospital after
eating vegetables contaminated with illegally applied pesticides. Severe pest
outbreaks have prompted farmers to use banned pesticides, resulting in a spate
of poisonings(1).
In 1994, an estimated 220,000 tonnes of active ingredients
were produced in China, which is set to increase up to 280,000 tonnes by the
year 2000. Imports that year were 32,000 tonnes, with exports far exceeding this
figure at 72,500 tonnes(2).
1. Reuters October 1995, Agrow 20/10/95.
2. Pestizid Brief 7/95.
[This
article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 30,
December 1995, page 11]