Guianas authorities seize illegal pesticides

Guianas authorities say that recent intelligence-driven inspections at several spots across the country have resulted in the seizure of large quantities of unregistered pesticides.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, in a statement, farmers during recent training programmes, had spoken of the availability of the illegal pesticides on the market.

As a result, the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board carried out several inspection and enforcement exercises in Regions 2, 3,4,5,6 and 10, resulting in the confiscation of a number of unregistered pesticides.

According to the Ministry, the seizures are in keeping with the board mandates of eradicating the importation, sale and use of illegal pesticides.

Under the law, all pesticides imported, sold and used in Guyana must be registered by the board.

At the Medic Aid Pharmacy of Logwood, Enmore, East Coast Demerara, inspectors discovered Supermaxzone, Karatatos, Glyphosate, Regent, Fentin Acetate and Aluminum Phosphide – all unregistered.

A number of pesticides were also seized from Junior Hope of Public Road, Golden Grove, including boxes of powdered ant bait and Aluminum Phosphide.

A quantity of Regent was also confiscated from Sukhram Filling Station of Hogsty, Corentyne, Berbice.

Inspectors also visited Gubas Ramrup (Abba Service Station) of Number 50 Village, Corentyne Berbice, Balram Kawal of Land of Plenty, Essequibo, Tekram Sankar of Anna Regina and Bukhan General Store of Parika Old Road where significant quantities of unregistered pesticides were also found and seized.