Billions of bees, butterflies, and beetles... are dying off, threatening ecological collapse. Toxic agricultural pesticides are among the key culprits, but we now have a unique chance to phase them out in Europe. If we help win there, the rest of the world could follow. But to make it happen we have to drown out the voices of the industry lobby. Silently, the insect … [Read more...]
The frightening reality of SA’s legal poisons
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...]
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, sports fields 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...]
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...]
Agent Orange in South Africa?
The GMO decision making body of South Africa has given the green light for importation of maize that has been sprayed with dangerous chemicals. Studies have shown these chemicals to cause cancer, birth defects, neurological damage and interference with reproductive function. Unlike in the US, South Africans would be consuming this maize, putting the health of the entire … [Read more...]
Stoep Harvest part 9: Pest control
This time on Stoep Harvest we look at pests. Pests come in all shapes and sizes. Large pests may include dogs, cats, birds, porcupines, monkeys, baboons, and even children and their sports equipment! Smaller pests include insects such as caterpillars and beetles. There are even microscopic pests such as nematodes and eelworm that cannot be seen by the naked eye but cause … [Read more...]
Through the eyes of a toad!
Imagine you are a western leopard toad living in your snug little home under a pot plant for 11 months of the year, happily snacking on organic, 'pesticide free' cockroaches and crickets in your vegetable patch at night while your human sleeps. It's the end of July, it's raining and the moon is getting fuller with every passing night. Your belly is laden with 1000 eggs … [Read more...]
Youth demand climate action in parliament
Women and the youth spoke up strongly during the public hearings on the National Climate Change Response Green Paper in parliament, conducted by the Portfolio Committee on Water and Environmental Affairs. Women and the youth spoke up strongly during the public hearings on the National Climate Change Response Green Paper in parliament, conducted by the Portfolio Committee on … [Read more...]
