Nov 26, 2010

Workshop on Pesticides Use in Mauritius - 30 Nov 2010

APEXHOM, in collaboration with the Mauritius Chamber of Agriculture and CropLife (Mauritius), is organising a workshop on “The use of Pesticide in Mauritius – Stock-taking and Stakeholder Discussion Workshop” on 30 November 2010 at 09h30 at La Cannelle, Domaine les Pailles.

See brief below from Le Mauricien of 26 Nov 2010.

L'Association Professionnelle des Producteurs/Exportateurs de Produits Horticoles de Maurice (APEXHOM) organise, mardi prochain, un atelier de travail d'une journée à Pailles sur l'utilisation des pesticides à Maurice. " L'inquiétude grandissante parmi les consommateurs par rapport aux résidus des pesticides dans l'alimentation est à la base de l'organisation de cet atelier de travail à l'intention de toutes les parties concernées par cette question ", indique APEXHOM. 

Selon le programme établi pour cet atelier, le ministère de la Santé fera une présentation des règlements qui régissent l'importation des pesticides et de l'impact de ces produits sur la santé. APEXHOM parlera des bonnes pratiques agricoles concernant l'utilisation des pesticides ainsi que des facilités disponibles à l'intention des agriculteurs et autres exportateurs pour adopter ces bonnes pratiques. L'utilisation des pesticides dans la culture de canne à sucre sera abordée par le Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute (MSIRI). Alors que l'Agricultural Research and Extension Unit (AREU) et la Faculté d'Agriculture de l'université de Maurice, parleront de la recherche et du développement des pesticides. La production biologique sera présentée par la Fondation Ressources et Nature.

4 comments:

K.Boodhoo said...

Pesticides use in Mauritius is highly regulated. I think the problem lies with its use by farmers. Although awareness campaigns on their use has been carried out by the agricultural authorities, there is still misuse by a large number of farmers. Some of the problems are: not adhering to the withdrawal time prior to harvest before sales, frequent spraying at high dose, use of a cocktail of pesticides etc.,
The use of pesticides has been associated with human health problems such as cancer. It is therefore hig time that the pesticides use is looked at closely. All the best for the workshop and would wish to receive copies of the presentation

Unknown said...

I attended the workshop. The presentations and discussions provided very informative updates of the importance, use, risks and control of pesticides in crop production in Mauritius. I would like to share some personal thoughts for the way forward to ensure food safety and promote business/trade development. There is a need for food safety risk assessment of pesticide residue levels in the food chain in Mauritius to provide a valid scientific basis for regulation and control. National strategy and actions are required to co-ordinate pesticides monitoring and generate further data for effective risk assessment, management and communication. The implementation of the APEXHOM Mauritius Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) is significant for local planters, e.g. fruit growers supplying raw materials to local processing enterprises which might need to provide evidence of HACCP application to fulfil EU food hygiene regulations, for their food products to be accepted on the European market. Stakeholders and consumers need to work together to maximise benefits and minimise risks.

B. Aumjaud said...

I attended the workshop. The presentations and discussions provided informative updates of the importance, use, risks and control of pesticides in crop production in Mauritius. I would like to share some personal thoughts on the way forward to ensure food safety and promote business/trade development. There is a need for food safety risk assessment of pesticide residue levels throughout the food chain in Mauritius to provide a relevant scientific basis for regulation and control. National strategy and actions are required to co-ordinate pesticides monitoring and generate further data for sound risk assessment, management and communication. The APEXHOM Mauritius Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) is also significant for local growers e.g. fruit growers supplying raw materials to local processing enterprises which might need to apply HACCP to fulfil EU food hygiene regulations, for their food products to be accepted on the European market. It was established during the workshop that stakeholders and consumers need to work together to maximise benefits and minimise risks.

sunghoon k said...

The problem should be taken in a much more broader perspectives, I have always voiced that all stakeholders should be taken on board whenever designing an important project,and I think PLANTERS are one of them.It's good to see from their perspective, what make them use so much pesticides and loose money.I think it would be interesting if u could open a forum on the issue.