Minister John Steenhuisen addressed South Africa's Parliament Agriculture Committee, cautioning that prohibiting pesticides such as terbufos may result in crop failure. Steenhuisen's appearance was in response to pesticide poisoning incidents identified last year.
A joint investigation by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and the Department of Health pinpointed terbufos as a factor in several fatalities, including six children from Naledi, Soweto. Terbufos, an organophosphate, is used for pest control in crops like maize, potatoes, groundnuts, and citrus. Its presence in urban areas has increased due to pest issues, often as an illegal substitute for certified pesticides.
Steenhuisen stated, "It will lead to crop failure because we do not have an alternative for our farmers. They won't be able to control pests effectively without terbufos." He emphasized the necessity of removing the toxic chemical but noted that an immediate ban is impractical.
The minister also highlighted the potential consequences of a ban, suggesting it could drive farmers to seek illegal alternatives, thereby increasing the black-market trade of terbufos.
Source: EWN