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highly hazardous pesticideslatest news & developments
Accidental deaths: Products readily available in local shops are bought to deal with problems such as rats. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
HIGHLY HAZARDOUS PESTICIDES

Deadly pesticides linked to rising poisonings, suicides in South Africa

Since 2015, cases of symptomatic pesticide poisoning have steadily increased

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read
Systemic pesticide-related abuses include farmworkers exposed to hazardous chemicals without protective gear or training and contamination of rural water sources. (Flickr)
CHILD PESTICIDE POISONING

SA’s outdated pesticide laws under review: human rights and health at stake

Systemic pesticide-related abuses include farmworkers exposed to hazardous chemicals without protective gear or training and contamination of rural water sources

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
CHEMICAL POISONING DEATHS

Legal threat to agriculture minister over delay in banning Terbufos

South African coalition pushes for immediate ban of Terbufos and other highly hazardous pesticides

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read
The ban on the importation and use of Terbufos signals a shift toward safer, people-centred agriculture
AGROCHEMICAL REGULATION

Petition seeks ban on Terbufos, highly hazardous pesticides within three months

Stop scapegoating spaza shops when regulation failure is to blame for poisoning deaths, groups say

  • Sheree Bega
5 min read
(File photo)
CHILD PESTICIDE POISONING

Civil society coalition wants heads to roll over Terbufos deaths

Inadequate controls on hazardous chemicals contributed to the death of the six children in Soweto

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read
Accidental deaths: Products readily available in local shops are bought to deal with problems such as rats. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
ACCESS TO INFORMATION SOUTH AFRICA

Government’s toxic malaise causes poisonings, not spaza shops

South Africa bows to the hazardous chemical industry and allows the use of scores of pesticides banned in Europe

  • Leslie London
  • Andrea Rother
6 min read
Draft regulations for hazardous chemical agents issued by the government affect the fundamental rights of farmworkers and other farm dwellers, who are routinely exposed to high levels of toxic pesticides, particularly on wine and fruit farms. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
AFRICAN CENTRE FOR BIODIVERSITY

Draft regulations on hazardous chemical agents leave farmworkers at risk

South Africa must exit pesticide treadmill, civil society groups say This content is restricted to registered users and subscribers. Get Your Free Account The Mail & Guardian is…

  • Sheree Bega
1 min read
File photo
AIR POLLUTION

Ban hazardous pesticides now, SA told

Chemicals banned in Europe are exported and used in South Africa

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read