NGO calls for immediate ban of harmful pesticides & farmworker protection

CAPE TOWN - A farmworker NGO wants an immediate ban on harmful pesticides and the protection of farmworkers.

This as an agricultural pesticide is linked to cases of contamination and child deaths. 

Farmworkers who are regularly exposed to pesticides have voiced concern and argue their frequent exposure should guarantee them access to adequate healthcare. 

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said that awareness had been raised in the sector, while the provision of healthcare for farmworkers was the mandate of the Health Department.

Director of the Women on Farms Project, Colette Solomon: "There are numerous pesticides in South Africa that have been banned in the European Union but is still legal and exported to South Africa and our government has continued to allow the import and the registration of these chemicals."

She said they wanted the substances banned.

"Our network has been calling on an immediate banning of at least Terbufos in the light of the recent poisonings."