Government to observe Pesticides Awareness Week

Roadtown, Tortola - The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, along with the Department of Agriculture, is observing Pesticides Awareness Week from September 28 until October 3.

Under the theme Integrating Actions for Safe Chemical Management the Department of Agriculture is hosting a week of activities aimed at highlighting the safe use of pesticides throughout the Territory.

Some of the planned activities include visits to the Willard Wheatley and Francis Lettsome Primary Schools to teach the students ways in which they can safeguard themselves when using or coming in contact with pesticides. The week’s activities will also include features on ZBVI’s Almanac programme highlighting pesticide use and an open house where members from the public can visit the Department to view displays and learn more about safe pesticide use.

During the open house, farmers will be provided with in-house training on the proper use of pesticide equipment and safety gear.

Pesticide Awareness Week is held in collaboration with the Coordinating Group of Pesticides Control Board of the Caribbean, (CGPC), which comprises of committees from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Virgin Islands (UK) Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts/Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. 

The CDGC serves to share information and experiences of pesticides use which may promote a common understanding in the Caribbean while instilling firm control in the management of pesticides and toxic chemicals.