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...]
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...]
Tentative hope for Stellenbosch air quality
A touch of tentative hope in the air surrounds the more than six year long battles in the Stellenbosch area by sensitive residents, who have and are suffering from the ill effects of toxic spray drift from neighbouring wine farms. The event which gave me hope that things will now be moving towards giving effected residents a proper hearing and respite from their troubles was … [Read more...]
End of the road for Endosulfan
Last Friday in Geneva it was agreed and announced that Endosulfan was too toxic to have on the planet. The Air That I Breathe (TATIB) Foundation, founded in Stellenbosch, has thanked their South African supporters for their commitment and endurance. After extensive review and debate, and years of work on behalf of especially the chairman, Jurgen Schirmacher, the chemical … [Read more...]
Media thrown out of public pesticide meeting
A public meeting organised by The Air That I Breathe Foundation (TATIB) with the Stellenbosch city manager to discuss the issue of spray drift stalled this morning when planning, property and integrated human settlements director Basil Davidson, who deputised for the city manager at short notice, refused to proceed with the meeting until members of the media had left the … [Read more...]
The Silent Spring Continues
The use of toxic agricultural sprays - even in towns - seems set to continue unabated in our country, in spite of urgent requests from citizens, neighbours and parents of children on farm schools, in spite of the health risks they pose to vulnerable farm workers, the ground water and biodiversity. In a letter by medical doctor Johan Minnaar from Groblersdal to Rapport … [Read more...]
Spring is poison time in the Boland
I trust it is safe to say that spring has finally arrived in the Cape. And with it comes gorgeous flower, blossoms, birds and beautiful burst of colour. I have already been lucky to receive in my garden an active team of bees pollinating my mostly indigenous flowers, unlike many parts of the world where the bees are disappearing due to illnesses and also the indiscriminate use … [Read more...]
KWV to clean up their vineyards
Progress on the poison front! The KWV head office has put plans in place to reduce their use of poison sprays during the next season and have made a commitment to sharing their learnings with others in the industry. During the past season the newly established group TATIB (The Air That I Breathe) received complaints from residents living in the vicinity of the KWV vineyards … [Read more...]
No more poisons for Stellies Uni
A green breakthrough happened at the University of Stellenbosch last week with Prof. Mohammed Karaan, dean of the Department of Agriscience, committing to stop the use of poison sprays in the university's vineyards. This decision was taken at a meeting between the Stellenbosch University and the steering committee of the newly formed pressure group called TATIB (The Air That … [Read more...]
Poison drift debilitates Boland residents
Poisonous sprays from farms drifting onto people, 'workers, children, family and neighbours' is finally coming to a head in the Boland. Numerous incidences of long-term, serious health problems, linked by doctors to the careless management of spray drift from surrounding farms mobilized the establishment of a special group in Stellenbosch, called TATIB (The Air That I … [Read more...]
