New pesticides control legislation coming in Antigua and Barbuda

Date:10-08-2008

Minister of Agriculture Senator Joanne Massiah has set in motion plans to give the Pesticide Control Board (PCB) greater power with respect to the regulation of pesticide use in Antigua and Barbuda.
During her remarks at the opening ceremony for the Rodent Control Seminar, the minister said sound and enforced regulation is needed for rational pesticide use.
According to the agriculture minister, this duty would be most effective if carried out by the PCB – the most knowledgeable body in Antigua and Barbuda when it comes to pesticides and their effects.
The board, however, is limited in this respect because the Pesticide Control Act of 1973 does not truly give it the power to enforce the laws. That’s according to Dr. Malverne Spencer, chairman of the PCB, who also told the Antigua Sun, prior to the launch of Pesticide Awareness Week, the act has been revised and is before Parliament.
This statement has been confirmed by Senator Massiah who, in her speech at the launch of the week, said new legislation, called the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Bill, had been tabled at Parliament.
“This revised legislation will broaden the scope of the Pesticides Control Board to include, in addition to the management of pesticides, the management of toxic chemicals in general,” she added.
The status of the bill was updated at the seminar by Dr. Spencer, who noted its approval by the Lower House. He added that it would soon be before the Upper House. Massiah was credited with the presentation of the revised act before Parliament and pushing for its approval.
The minister subsequently noted the enforcement of this new bill, once it is enacted, would be essential to ensuring the safe and rational pesticide use.
In addition,the agriculture minister said the PCB would be launching a national education campaign to teach the public about pesticides and the new legislation.
All are advised to take note because, according to Senator Massiah, “ignorance is no excuse” when it comes to the law.
The Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Bill will extend to the PCB the power to manage pesticides and toxic chemicals in general, as well as prosecute those of break the laws it dictates.