PCA graduates urged to reduce chemical pesticides usage
─ we must have cadre of pest control professionals who are well trained to deal with pest and pesticides – PS
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, October 23, 2018
More than seventy graduate Pest Control Applicators (PCA’s) were urged to reduce dependency on the use of chemical pesticides, in order to ensure food safety and protect human health and the environment.
The charge was given by Delma Nedd, Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Agriculture, at a graduation ceremony held earlier today for the PCA’s. The participants successfully completed a workshop that was hosted by the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB), on the proper application of pesticides at the Basic and Intermediate levels.
(left to right) Dr. Leslie Munroe, Chairman and facilitator, PTCCB, Delma Nedd, Permanent Secretary (PS), Ministry of Agriculture and Trecia Garnath, Registrar PTCCB with 2018 PCA graduates
Delivering the feature address, Nedd said since the PTCCB is tasked with ensuring the proper management of pesticides and toxic chemicals is adhered to; those who are certified and licensed to use such chemicals who must act responsibly.
“You are responsible for any consequences of action that result in application….so we must have a cadre of pest control professionals who are well trained to deal with pest and pesticides in such a manner that the general public is protected, wholesome food is produced for both local and international consumption,” PS Nedd said. She also urged the graduates to comply with the pesticides control law among other conventions.
Facilitator and Chairman, PTCCB, Dr. Leslie Munroe, congratulated the graduates for successfully completing the workshop and encouraged them to utilise the knowledge gained to educate others. He noted that the basic pesticide control course began in 2012 and has so far trained 192 persons of which 177 were certified. To date, the Intermediate course has trained 72 persons and certified 66.
Munroe told the graduates the training aims to provide all the opportunities for them to be educated, trained and certified to perform their duties in a responsible manner. He also highlighted plans to introduce an Advanced course in 2019.
Pesticides Awareness Week is being observed across the Caribbean under the theme, “Increase Food Safety, Reduce Dependency on Pesticides and Adopt Integrated Pest Management (IPM)”
Neola Damon
Image: Department of Public Information