Called “crop protection solutions” by producers, 67 agrichemicals which are banned in the EU remain legal in South Africa. An article published in September this year exposed the double standards of the EU in which the region was found to export (and obviously profit from) the self-same pesticides that they deem too poisonous for use in their own fields. It’s a shocking … [Read more...]
Pesticide spray drift in South Africa
The widespread use of pesticides in agriculture is a serious source of pollution in our country. Not only are farm workers and nearby rural communities suffering severe health issues, due to direct exposure through spray drift, but these agrochemicals contaminate our soil, waterways and underground water. While the Pest Management Act has provisions relating to the impact of … [Read more...]
Protecting rural residents from toxic pesticides in the UK
With so much going on in the world many crucial political considerations, debates and decisions - both in the UK and globally - are currently taking place under the radar. A prime example of this is the outright condemnation in the UK House of Lords in July of the UK Government’s total failure to protect rural residents and communities from the cocktails of pesticides … [Read more...]
Africa’s critically endangered vultures face relentless poisoning
In a letter published yesterday in the journal Science, vulture researchers have raised the alarm over the relentless poisoning of Critically Endangered vultures across Africa. During the past 20 months, over 1,000 vultures across the African continent have perished due to widespread poisoning. Vultures have succumbed to poisoning in Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, … [Read more...]
War Chemical 2,4 D GM maize: coming to our plates soon
The African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) has published a briefing paper titled, ‘South Africa and 2,4 D GM maize: Biosafety and Socio-economic risks’, exposing ongoing risky technological developments with South Africa’s staple food – maize. It exposes that plans are underfoot to commercially grow genetically modified (GM) maize resistant to the war chemical, 2, D (event … [Read more...]
How to stop pesticide spraying in your area
The spraying of agricultural chemicals is widespread, not just on farmlands, vineyards and fruit orchards, but also in towns, public parks and gardens, playgrounds, schools, sportsfields and on verges. These notes may help you, should you find yourself exposed to spray drift. There are a few laws in South Africa that protect people and the environment: Fertilizers, farm … [Read more...]
Help ban toxic dicamba and protect seed sovereignty
This pesticide flies through the air, destroying most plants in its path - even on neighbouring land. Almost no crop survives but Monsanto GMOs. It’s a greedy scheme that will make Monsanto billions and destroy our food system! But now 1,000 farmers are fighting back. They've forced the governor in a major US farm state to issue a temporary ban and now he’s deciding … [Read more...]
Biggest petition for bees EVER!
Bees are facing a giant global crisis that threatens our food supply. Now Canada is considering a game-changing ban on one of the worst bee-killing chemicals. But Big Ag is fighting back, and it’s up to us to stop them. Imidacloprid is a terrifying chemical used on much of the world's fruits and vegetables -- and it's threatening our web of life from bees to insects. Now … [Read more...]
Would you care for a slice of poison-soaked bread?
Over the past couple of years, I had the unpleasant experience of having bloodwork done to confirm that I am gluten intolerant, only to have it come back and say, “Nope, you’re just crazy.” The same thing happened to my good friend Melissa Melton, who was terribly ill before she cut wheat out of her life. It’s happened to scores of other people, who pass the test for the … [Read more...]
Zika outbreak epicenter in same area GM mosquitoes were released
The Zika virus has the potential to reach epidemic proportions - possibly around the globe. Understanding the causes of the outbreak is vital to curbing it. The World Health Organization announced it will convene an Emergency Committee under International Health Regulations on Monday, February 1, concerning the Zika virus ‘explosive’ spread throughout the Americas. As the … [Read more...]
The campaign to remove Roundup herbicide is here
The time has come for a Nation Wide picket to create Awareness of the toxic Side Effects of Monsanto's herbicide, Roundup. We want Builders Warehouse to care for the safety of their customers over their profit and have it removed from their store. As we have seen, Section 17 of the Constitution of our country says that "everyone has the right, peacefully and unarmed, to … [Read more...]
Stop the poison bomb from hitting Transkei greenfields
There is a pervasive attachment to ignorance when it comes to 'weed control' in this country. Now in the Transkei this shortsightedness threatening vast tracts of ecosystems and the people living in or near those areas. Here is an Avaaz petition against an initiative that needs to be stopped. The other day I visited an expensive lodge on the other side of the Mzimbubu … [Read more...]
Popular herbicide linked to cause of gluten intolerance
Have you ever wondered why lately so many people are "gluten intolerant?" I have long held and expressed the opinion that it is not the wheat that's at fault. Something else must be slipping into the wheat. Now a compelling new peer-reviewed report from two U.S. scientists argues that increased use of Monsanto’s glyphosate herbicide (trade name Roundup) could be the cause of … [Read more...]