Stories of women’s leadership in Pesticide Management in the Caribbean
April 21, 2022 – Bridgetown, Barbados - When hurricane Maria made landfall in Dominica in 2017, it caused widespread devastation and the impact of this category 5 hurricane was catastrophic for this Small Island Developing State (SID). As Dominicans grappled with the immediate aftermath of the hurricane, including the loss of homes and livelihoods, persons like Anna Mary Seraphine, Registrar of Pesticides in Dominica, quickly recognized that there would be more long-term impacts that if not addressed, could threaten the health and safety of Dominicans for decades to come.
Long regarded as the Nature Island of the Caribbean, Dominica boasts tropical rainforests and lush vegetation, ideal for a booming agricultural and fisheries industry. Bananas, coconut, citrus, avocados, mangoes and an abundance of vegetables and livestock make up the main crops grown. This, along with a vibrant fishing industry contribute to the island’s economy and participation in agriculture can be found throughout the island.
“In Dominica, this is what we are known for, so we try to limit use of pesticides and educate as much as we can on the dangers of their use to maintain this reputation. The diversity of people means that there is varying use in our farming communities. For example, among the Kalinago there is not much use of pesticides as indigenous methods provide more natural ways of dealing with pests. However, in other communities, pesticides are used to get rid of any little thing”, stated Seraphine.
Although attempts to raise awareness and sensitize the public to the continuous negative effects was taking place, the passage of hurricane Maria revealed a stark reality of not only the use of pesticides but the poor disposal, of empty pesticide containers, into the environment and waterways.
“In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria the number of empty pesticide containers we saw along the shoreline was astounding. In the hills, there are many farms and farmers throw the containers into the bushes after using the pesticides. When there is flooding, the containers in these areas come down to the coast, through the rivers and settle on the shore”, Seraphine added.
These unwashed and un-punctured containers, mean residues are seeping into the environment, with harmful chemicals entering waterways, potentially affecting not only human health, but also marine life. The destruction of property due to high winds also resulted in the exposure of tonnes of obsolete pesticides stocks, with chemicals being soaked due to heavy rainfall and, leaching into the ground and waterways.
Seraphine added that for years they were thinking about how to get rid of these obsolete pesticide stocks. The hurricane destroyed their storage units, and this became a renewed priority for importers and farmers who wanted to build back better in terms of the proper storage of pesticides, and to consider more safer, organic options”.
Bolstering Empty Pesticide Container Management systems and the Disposal of Obsolete pesticide stocks are two of the main component of FAO’s Caribbean Pesticide Management Project. The work done over the last 4 years has made tremendous inroads by supporting the work of persons like Anna Mary and the Pesticides Control Board.
The project not only assisted in the removal of the obsolete stocks in Dominica, but also revealed the dangers of pesticides, helped to teach farmers about triple rinsing, proper storage and other protective measures. As a result, better systems are in place to support for empty container management, including updating legislation, which will now address this specifically, and hopefully it can be used as a tool for enforcement.
Meanwhile, Guy Mathurin, Regional Project Coordinator for Pesticides for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) stated, “Supporting countries to safely dispose of and recycle triple-rinsed empty pesticides containers is an important part of the work we are doing to help safeguard human and environmental health. We applaud the Government of Dominica for the steps it is taking to establish empty pesticide container management schemes. FAO will continue to support the implementation of recommended pesticide lifecycle management practices”.
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