Tens of thousands of packets of a
pesticide Apron Plus DS, containing metalaxyl and carboxim fungicides and
furathiocarb insecticide, have been washed up on beaches along the Netherlands
North Sea coast. The pesticides are a Ciba-Geigy product, and were being shipped
to Nigeria for use in fumigation. Marja Schelvis of the North Sea Water
Authorities warned that “this chemical is dangerous for human beings”—furathiocarb
is classified 'highly hazardous' by the World Health Organisation. In Amsterdam
harbour, water authorities impounded the French container ship 'Sherbro', which
in December 1993 lost toxic pesticide packets in stormy seas that washed ashore
along French and Belgium coasts. “It is almost certain that these (sachets)
came from that ship”, said Hanja Maij Weggen, Transport Minister.
Reuters, 20 January 1994.
[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 23, March 1994, page 11]