Ahimereke - Maori - Japans Vertaling en Voorbeelden
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open bf पिक्चर (Hindi>Engels)uso (Tjechisch>Engels)除诉求团结外 (Chinees (Vereenvoudigd)>Thaise taal)i sent (Engels>Wels)karuveppilai means (Engels>Kannada)envoye (Frans>Arabisch)ducimus (Latijn>Italiaans)çocuklarının (Turks>Xhosa)neomu kiyowo (Koreaans>Engels)handelsbesprekingen (Duits>Italiaans)kichaa wewe (Swahili>Engels)ricambieranno (Italiaans>Engels)magandang kausap (Tagalog>Engels)bloeddrukwaarde (Nederlands>Engels)in accordance with local rules and regulations (Engels>Italiaans)you mean everything to me (Engels>Hindi)kétértelműségére (Hongaars>Engels)pashouder bon (Nederlands>Frans)maksud department (Maleis>Engels)ただちに (Japans>Engels)pentru realizarea pregătirii de specialitate (Roemeens>Portugees)wyrazami (Frans>Engels)bf full movibf full movie (Hindi>Engels)sufokigxis (Esperanto>Russisch)what do you mean ki meanings hindi (Engels>Hindi) TATIB FOUNDATION: 2010
Posted by TATIB at 1:38 PM No comments:
LETTER FROM DR JOHAN MINNAAR
Dr Johan Minnaar's letter that appeared in Rapport newspaper following the Chameleons Montessori articles:
Eerstens wil ek vir Marlene Malan van Rapport geluk wens met die reeks artikels wat sy gepubliseeer het oor die gebruik van gifstowwe teenaan ‘n skool in Durbanville. Baie min mense het die moed om oor die onderwerp te praat of te skryf. Wanneer jy waag om dit te doen, word ernstige pogings aangewend om jou so vinnig moontlik stil te maak of dit word afgemaak as snert of les bes, “daar is geen wetenskaplike bewyse” daarvoor nie!
Is dit nie betreurenswaardig dat mense so blind en doof kan wees vir die waarheid nie! Die spreekwoord lui nie verniet, “daar is niemand so blind soos hy wat nie wil sien nie, en niemand so doof soos hy wat nie wil hoor nie!”
Ek is bekommerd as ek die artikels lees, veral in landbou areas, waar dieslefde probleme oor en oor kop uitsteek, ek dink maar aan ‘n paar plekke, Groblersdal, Riebeek Kasteel, Vaalharts, Marble Hall, Stellenbosch, Paarl en Jacobsdal. Is dit dan nie ‘n klinklare bewys dat gifstowwe ‘n gesondheidsgevaar inhou vir mense wat daar naby woon of met dit werk nie?
Ek, as mediese praktisyn, is baie bekommerd oor almal wat op plase werk, woon en skoolgaan, boere en plaaswerkers met hul gesinne, en ander in nabygeleë landbouareas wat daagliks onwetend en onbewustelik aan verskeie landbouchemikalieë blootgestel word.
Ek het reeds 4 jaar gelede met verskeie staatsdepartemente (Gesondheid, Landbou, Onderwys, Waterwese, Arbeid, asook die Industrie, AVCASA, ACDASA, Croplife in gesprek getree met betrekking tot die probleme van landbouchemikalieë in die Groblersdal area en die effek wat dit op die omgewing, water en menslike gesondheid het. Ek het voorgestel dat daar in die toekoms gekyk moet word na woongebiede en skole naby of tussen landbou areas. Bufferzones, lugbespuiting naby woongebiede ens, nodeloos om te sê, ek wag nou nog op terugvoer.
Miskien het dit tyd geword dat daar opgetree moet word teen die verskeie departemente. Ek het op verskeie vergaderings met dept landbou en die industrie versoek dat daar op die etikette van gifstowwe moet verskyn dat dit neurotoksies, karsinogenies, hormoonversteurders, inferteliteit ens kan veroorsaak. Onnodig om te meld dat hulle glad nie geneë met my voorstel was nie, aangesien dit sekerlik tot ‘n daling in verkope sal lei. Persoonlik voel ek dat dit krimineel is om sulke noodsaaklike inligting van die verbruiker en die publiek te weerhou. Dit is juis dié mense wat daagliks daarmee werk en in kontak kom op plase, by skole, huise, troeteldiere ens, wat nie werklik ingelig word oor die gevaar van plaagdoders nie. Verder bestaan daar ‘n groot gebrek aan kennis wat betref die gevare van kroniese lae dosis blootstelling en die effek op die omgewing en menslike gesondheid. Ongelukkig word die uitwerking van gifstowwe jare later eers gesien, met tragiese gevolge.
Gif word nooit aan sekere siektetoestande gekoppel nie, want die beeld word uitgedra dat dit “redelik veilig” is, want sommige gifstowwe kan sommer vanaf die winkelrak gekoop word, selfs kinders het toegang tot “soms baie gevaarlike gifstowwe”. Verder word dit ook as “veilig” bemark solank daar volgens die etiketvoorskrif gewerk word. Hierdie aspek het ek ook 3 jaar gelede met dept landbou bespreek, maar dít het ook op dowe ore geval!
Ek het persoonlike ondervinding en ervaring van die effek van gifstowwe op my gesondheid en die van my pasiënte opgedoen in die omgewing waar ek woonagtig is, Groblersdal. Ons het ook met kroniese siek kleuters gesit. Kinders is meer sensitief en reageer vinniger as volwassenes op gifstowwe. Hulle asem dieselfde konsentrasie in, maar hul liggaamsoppervlakte is soveel kleiner.
Voor 2006 het ek baie pasiënte verkeerd gediagnoseer wat herhaaldelik met dieselfde simptome en klagtes van hoofpyne, duiseligheid, naarheid, erge moegheid by my gekonsulteer het.
Alles het vir my duidelik geword nadat ek fakse van die lugbespuitingsoperateur ontvang het en ek eers begin ondersoek doen en uitgevind het van waar en waarmee gespuit word. Wanneer ek dan die gifetiket se newe effekte soos hoofpyn, duiseligheid, moegheid, diaree, sinus, rooi oë, gesigspiere wat spring (fassikulasies), bewe (tremor) lees, kon ek makliker diagnoses van vergiftiging maak deur te vra waar die pasiënt woon of werk, en of daar met gif gespuit is al dan nie.
Chemiese patoloë het my aangeraai om ‘n bloedtoets “RBS – Rooibloedsel-cholienesterase” te monitor. ‘n Ensiem in ons liggame wat geaffekteer word deur organofosfaat en karbamaat gifstowwe. ‘n Daling van 30% dui op akute organofosfaat /karbamaat vergiftiging. Ons ensiem het met tye gedaal tussen 20% en 35%. Skokkend hiervan is die feit dat ons nie met gif werk nie, dit is die daling wat veroorsaak is deur die gif wat ons onwetend vanuit die omgewing inasem. Die resultate uitgebeeld op ‘n grafiek dui dan op ‘n lae dosis chroniese blootstelling met episodes van akute vergiftiging wanneer daar gespuit is en daar ‘n skerp gifreuk in die dorp teenwoordig was. Dit was vir my skokkend toe ek in 2009 die verslag vanaf Dept Waterwese en Bosbou ontvang waarin ‘n grafiek van al die lugbespuitings wat gedoen is oor die tydperk asook ‘n grafiek van die gifstowwe wat die meeste gebruik is vir lugbespuiting vir die ooreenstemmende tydperk, nl karbamate, organofostate en verskeie ander gifstowswe. Die grafiek van die aantal lugbespuitings het die presiese teenoorgestelde verloop gehad as die van die ensiemwaardes, met ander woorde: hoe meer lugbespuitings in ‘n maand toegedien was, hoe laer die ensiem. Hoe minder lugbespuitings, hoe hoër die ensiem. Hierdie was vir my ‘n klinkklare bewys van die blootstelling aan organofosfaat/karbamaat gifstowwe vanuit die omgewing.
Dit was nie soseer die simptome op die etiket wat my bekommer het nie, maar die langtermyn gevolge wat nie op die etiket verskyn nie, nl kroniese respiratoriese probleme, neurologiese versteurings (ADHD, Autisme, Parkinson’s, Altzheimers), kanker sien www.chemtrust.org.uk, “A review of the role pesticides play in some cancers: children, farmers and pesticide users at risk?”, ontwikkelingsversteurings, effek op fertiliteit, geboortedefekte, miskrame, stilgeboortes, velsiektes, immuunonderdrukking, genetiese afwykings, hormoonversteurings (estrogeen, progestoroon, testosteroon, tiroïed ens). Sien “Our Stolen Future” http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/basics/chemlist.htm
Ek was bekommerd oor die water in die omgewing en het die dept Waterwese genader om ‘n studie te doen. Hierdie verslag “Report on an assessment of agricultural pesticides in the upper Olifants river catchment” is in my besit en beskikbaar vanaf die departement Waterwese en Bosbou, Eerste uitgawe Oktober 2008. Skokkend was dat gifstowwe wat reeds verban is, nog in die water opgetel is nl. DDT, Monocrotophos en arseenvlakke vêr bo die WGO standaarde. Ek is tans in afwagting op die lugmoniteringsverslag, hoop om die verslag onder oë te kry!
Vir verdere inligting kan u gerus gaan kyk na die “Agricultural Health Study” http://aghealth.nci.nih.gov/ wat reeds vir die afgelope 17 jaar gedoen word, waarby 89 000 mense betrek is bestaande uit plaaswerkers, -gesinne, plaagbeheer operateurs betrek is.
Ek verwys ook na die “Chemical Exposure Linked to Gulf War Veterans’ illness, “Gulf War Syndrome” http://www.beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/ (Beyond Pesticides, March 13, 2008) wat die langtermyneffek van gifstowwe (veral organofosfate) uitlig en beklemtoon.
Verder verwys ek na die verbanning van die gifstof “Chlorpyrifos” in Suid-Afrka waarby ek in Junie 2010 betrokke was. Hierdie gifstof is reeds in 2000 in ander lande (ontwikkelde) verban as gevolg van die toksisiteit op menslike gesondheid, die ontwikkelende kind en fetus. In Suid-Afrika eers 10 jaar later. Ek het gevra vir ‘n totale verbanning, maar dit is steeds toelaatbaar vir landbou gebruik. Dis vir my onduidelik waarom hierdie besluit geneem is, aangesien dit ewe toksies is vir boere, plaaswerkers en hul gesinne. Kyk gerus na die nuutste inligting oor chlorpyrifos “Critical window of development” http://www.criticalwindows.com/go_display.php en besluit self! Skokkend dat ons onsself, ons kinders en ongebore baba’s hieraan blootgestel het!
Ek sê altyd gif is vandag veilig, oor ‘n paar jaar word die gebruik daarvan beperk en nog ‘n paar jaar later word dit verban as gevolg van die newe effekte op menslike gesondheid en die omgewing. Hierdie stelling is al oor en oor bewys. ‘n Sprekende voorbeeld hiervan is die alombekende Chlorpyrifos, Monocrotophos, DDT ens.
Die vraag is, “Is geregistreerde gifstowwe veilig?” NEE. Redes hiervoor is die volgende:
1. Baie van die “veiligheidstoetse” wat gedoen word op die produkte is onvoldoende.
Daar word getoets vir die akute (nie kroniese) effekte van ‘n enkele (nie ‘n mengsel) chemikalieê op gesonde (nie siek, chemies sensitiewe,immuun-onderdrukte ens) volwasse (nie fetusse en jong) diere (nie mense) oor ‘n kort (nie lang) periode van tyd.
2. Melding van “Inerts” word nêrens op die verpakking aangebring nie. Sommige van hierdie “inerts” is meer toksies as die aktiewe bestanddeel wat wel genoem word.
Sommige gifstowwe word selfs meer toksies soos wat dit afbreek in die omgewing. Die verbruiker bly oningelig oor die ander chemikalieê in die mengsel, alleenlik die aktiewe bestanddeel word aangedui op die etiket. So bv is daar gifstowwe waarvan reeds bewys is dat die kleefmiddels (inerts) meer toksies is as die aktiewe bestanddeel.
Wanneer ‘n mens eers begin, weet jy nie waar om op te hou nie want daar is net eenvoudig so baie inligting. Ek kan aangaan en aangaan. Verder wil ek dit ook net beklemtoon dat ek in ‘n landbou omgewing woon, geen ander industrie of myne in die onmiddellike en direkte omgewing nie, behalwe landbou. Vir Dr Marais wil ek sê dat hy dalk moet kyk wat is in sy omgewing in Mosselbaai wat die mense siek maak.
Wat vir my onrusbarend is, is die feit dat die departemente en industrie bewus is dat gifstowwe gevaarlik is. Daar is reguit vir my in 2006 gesê, toe ek ‘n vergadering van SHE (Safety, Health and Environment Committee) wou bywoon, dat ek nie welkom is nie, aangesien hulle ‘n bedryf het om te beskerm. Die industrie word beskerm, maar wat van menslike gesondheid. Geen geld kan gesondheid koop nie!
Vir my as geneesheer gaan dit oor die oorsaak van mense se siektes en nie net om die simptome te behandel nie. As ons die oorsake kan elimineer gaan ons baie gesonder mense en omgewing hê.
Ek sluit af met die aanhaling: “Chemicals have replaced bacteria and viruses as the main threat to health. The diseases we’re beginning to see as the major cause of death in the latter part of this century and into the 21st century are diseases of chemical origin”. Dick Irwin, Toxicologist at Texas A & M Universities.
Ek daag enige toksikoloog of persoon uit om my verkeerd te probeer bewys. Die groot probleem is nie die boer of enige persoon wat met die gif werk nie, maar die gebrek aan kennis en inligting by die persoon wat met die toksiese chemikalieë werk.
Ek hoop ek het baie van jul vrae en onsekerheid beantwoord.
Dr Johan Minnaar
Posted by TATIB at 12:27 PM No comments:
Chlorpyrifos is widely used in Agriculture in South Africa and in the average Western Cape Vineyard & Orchard
It was, until recently, also registered for domestic use (home gardens,in and around the house, schools,public places) but has since been banned (only for domestic / residential use)
TATIB would like to see this highly toxic organophosphate pesticide totally banned in South Africa.
The article and links below will shed more light on why we feel it should be banned
Chlorpyrifos data now available on TEDX’s Critical Windows of Development.
CRITICAL WINDOWS OF DEVELOPMENT is an interactive website tool that pairs human development in the womb with laboratory research showing where and when low-dose exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals results in altered health outcomes.
now joins bisphenol A, phthalates, and dioxin in the timeline, which reveals effects of chlorpyrifos on the central nervous system, thyroid, heart, liver and more, in laboratory animals experiencing prenatal and early postnatal exposure.
To see the timeline, go to: http://www.endocrinedisruption.com/home.php
In addition, 13,000 individuals and organizations from across the U.S. sent a letter to the U.S. EPA today calling for a ban on chlorpyrifos and a phase out of other organophosphate pesticides.
For more information go to: http://www.fwpp.org/?page=OtherDocuments
Posted by TATIB at 9:36 PM No comments:
Posted by TATIB at 4:27 PM 2 comments:
THE END OF THE ROAD FOR CHAMELEONS MONTESSORI AS 'THE NOOSE TIGHTENS'
This week saw the removal of more children and the resignation of another two teachers following unlawful spraying of pesticides on Nitida Wine Farm.
Perhaps the schools owners will now see the light and agree to move the school to a safer location ?
Posted by TATIB at 3:30 AM 7 comments:
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Posted by TATIB at 3:13 AM No comments:
Residents of Heldervue Somerset West were recently exposed to a herbicide, with some nasty side effects.
Please go and read up on the article which appeared in The Bolander on 01 October 2010:
About a month ago TATIB received complaints from residents in ParadysKloof , Stellenbosch, who were exposed to HORMOBAN when a park adjacent to their properties was sprayed. They had the same symptoms that the Somerset West residents experienced.
The City of Cape Town should be held criminally responsible for these unlawful acts and should be sued for damages. Clearly they hade no idea how toxic these herbicides are, or are very good at evading the issue.
What would have happened had young children, for example, gone into the park shortly after spraying, bare foot, and absorbed the herbicide through their skin ?
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PERHAPS THIS WILL HELP YOU ALL CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK ABOUT THE FOOD
THAT YOU BUY ( & EAT)
supermarkets and serve to our families?
In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on
our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized unde...rbelly
that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our
government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation's food supply
is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit
ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the
safety of workers and our own environment. We have bigger-breasted
chickens, the perfect pork chop, herbicide-resistant soybean seeds, even
tomatoes that won't go bad, but we also have new strains of E. coli—the
harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans
annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among
children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults.
Posted by TATIB at 8:11 AM No comments:
Tatib was recently contacted by some mothers, who have children at a Montessori School situated on a wine farm in Durbanville. It has been alleged that some of the children, including a teacher, have fallen ill as a result of the products sprayed on the vineyards adjacent to the school. It has been confirmed by the school that spray drift is indeed a problem and that the children are brought indoors during the spraying. The problem with this, is that once the children go out to play after the spraying as been completed, they will come into contact with the potentially toxic residues of what was sprayed. Many pesticides remain active (on surfaces) for days and weeks. Its been well documented, that children are more vulnerable to the effects of pesticides They eat and drink more per Kg of body weight, have higher metabolisms, their skin is more permeable and their livers do not excrete as efficiently as adults. Their hand-to-mouth behaviour increases the chance of ingestion and their dermal contact is increased because of a proportionally larger skin surface, and because they play on the ground outdoors. Recently another Montessori School opened on the grounds of a prominent farm in Somerset West. The Lourens River runs through this farm, and a study undertaken by The University of Stellenbosch and a German University, indicated high levels of 3 organophosphates (nerve toxins) found in this river. Tatib requested a spray list from both farms on which the two Montessori Schools are situated and in this regard the following products have been sprayed : Folpan, Sovrin Flo, Topaz, Mamba, Spiral, Thiovit, Korog, Legend, Hygrobuff, Dithane, Rootmaster, Prosper, Phopshite, Acarol, Goemar, Switch, Nufilm, Misaxinal, Tokuthion, Citrole , Budbreak, Dormex, Chlorpyriphos, Judo, Bumper, Solubor, Manganese Sulphate, Zinc Oxide, Azinophos Methyl, Cypermethrin, Indar, Roval Flo, Zinc Max, Score, Bulldock, Kaptan Flo, Fundazol, Cascade, C.O.C , Chorus, Nimrod, Stroby, Goldenthin, Promalin, Sevin, Nustar,Cascade, Caltrac, Altacor, Penncap M, Droper, Calypso, Calcium Nitrate & Runner. There are few organophosphate "nerve toxins" on the list - one of which has been banned for residential use in South Africa due to the fact that it is so highly toxic. These are certainly not pesticides that should be sprayed anywhere near children. Clearly the current locations of the schools is the problem - they should not be anywhere near a working farm where agricultural chemicals are sprayed. These are private schools for affluent people . What about those other rural farm schools, in poorer communities - where the kids are the farm workers go. How are they going to be protected?
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TATIB ENTERS INTO "DIALOGUE" WITH UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH
On Monday 08 March 2010, the TATIB Foundations' Steering Committee, and other interested parties, met with Professor Mohammad Karaan, Dean Faculty of Agri Sciences, University of Stellenbosch.
A "2 -a-side" sub-committee has now been formed so that TATIB can enter into further discussions with the University, effectively making TATIB the "change agent" within the University system. We are waiting for the University to schedule a time and date for the next meeting.
TATIB has called for the University of Stellenbosch to convert all its vineyards/orchards/farms to an organic, environmentally friendly & sustainable system, so that spray drift of potentially toxic pesticides into the adjacent residential areas is avoided.
The concept of a "Chair in Organic Agriculture" has been raised by one of TATIB's members and we feel that this should be acceptable to the University as Stellenbosch probably has the fastest growing body of research into agro-ecological systems and alternatives in South Africa. Its now just a matter of finding funding for this "chair".
Photo shows Prof Karaan , Dean of Faculty of AgriSciences & Tatibs Chairman Jurgen Schirmacher
Posted by TATIB at 11:20 PM 1 comment:
URBAN SPROUT : THE COST OF LIVING NEXT TO A VINEYARD
Urban Sprout have just published a well written story on pesticide spray drift.
Posted by TATIB at 2:20 AM No comments:
KWV COMES ON BOARD !!!
Following a meeting held with Tatib at the Sustainability Institute on 2 February 2010, after Paarl residents had complained about spray drift , KWV drafted some actions which they plan to to implement over the next few months (research, test and evaluate) and then communicate afterwards in an attempt to raise awareness and share learnings with the rest of the industry.
- Pamphlet drop at all vineyard adjacent properties to raise awareness, establish contact details and provide a KWV helpline number.
- Create a database of potentially affected residents with e-mail alerts system activated
- Notification to start with next spraying cycle
- Provide Tatib foundation with a list of biocides used (please see list below)
- Request input on alternative suggested products
- Test and evaluation of alternative suggested products
- Pilot tests on alternative technology to be researched, tested and evaluated during winter months
- Implementation during next spraying cycle
4. Wind conditions
- Monitor by means of weather stations
- Early morning spraying to be implemented
- Adapt spraying programme in buffer zones with alternative products
- Implement buffer zone plan into long term vineyard replanting and development programme
6. Fenceline monitoring
- Residue testing options to be investigated
- Monitor during next spray cycle
- Adapt and implement alternative practices where necessary
7. Long term options
- Continuous engagement and input into Integrated Production of Wine Programme (IPW)
8. Support for other farmers
- Create, test and implement model for KWV spraying
- Share model with industry bodies
- Participate in industry forums to increase awareness
- Media campaign to raise awareness and share learnings
Below you will find a list of substances currently being used in the KWV spraying programme.
Sovrin Flo SC
Posted by TATIB at 2:18 AM 2 comments:
Posted by TATIB at 7:46 AM 2 comments:
Following an article that appeared in The Paarl Post of 26 November 2009 ( see on right hand side), Tatib had the following to say :
We refer to your article titled "Hay Fever Blues" as published in Paarl Post on 26 November 2009, and comment as follows :-
It is a well documented fact that exposure to pesticides causes "hay fever" symptoms - upper respiratory tract irritation / infection, sinus problems, asthma to name but a few.
Exposure to pesticides may also cause more serious problems like central nervous system damage, respiratory problems and even cancer.
It is unlawful, as per Act 36 of 1947, to spray your vineyards in such a way that spray drift ( of pesticides) is allowed to be blown into the residential areas.
The medical effects of unlawful spray drift have been well documented in the Western Cape and internationally.
Many of the pesticides that are used on the vineyards ( in Paarl , Stellenbosch, Franschhoek etc) have been banned in over 62 countries as they are considered to be highly toxic - yet in South Africa ( which is a 3rd World Country) they are still in use.
Every citizen has the right to live in an environment that is not harmful to his/her health and well being - this is enshrined in The Constitution.
Your reporter seems to feel "that this is a small price to pay for living in this magnificent valley". This statement is highly irresponsible and is an indication of the attitude that seems to be so prevalent. ie you either allow us to poison you with pesticides or you move back to Cape Town. Yes Paarl is beautiful and the vineyards do add to this beauty. But there should never be an attitude along the lines as people need to pay this small price . One cannot and should not peg a price on ones health, especially when it has been medically proven ( the research is there) that exposure to agricultural pesticides causes far more serious illnesses than "Hay Fever ".
If you would like more information and would like to engage in responsible reporting, then we suggest that you contact us and we will prepare a formal press release in which all the facts are clearly placed before you, so that you can enlighten your readers as to the dangers posed by the pesticides sprayed on the adjacent vineyards and then also their constitutional rights. Several doctors & medical practitioners actually attended TATIB's meeting and they too have confirmed that they have a large number of patients suffering from exposure to pesticides. You are sitting on a ticking time bomb. You need to alert your local Municipality for the sake of all your health, especially your children.
On 12 December, Tatib received an email from a Malcolm Gordon as follows :-
Pesticides can cause hay fever Paarl Post 10-12-2009
Can you provide me with any more information relating to your organisation and the abovementioned article.
We replied to Malcolm and forwarded to him details of our launch , attaching "What's your Poison" to the email. We never received a response from Malcolm, nor a request for further information.
On 14 January 2010, Paarl Post published the following letter :
Pesticide harmful or not?
I REFER to the letter from TATIB “Pesticides can cause hay fever” and the article “Hay fever blues”.
Every year around Spring time, reports surface about hay fever occurring amongst people staying in agricultural communities. These symptoms are often blamed on the application of pesticides.
At this time many grasses and other plants are flowering and the pollen generated, I would suggest, would be more likely to cause some of the symptoms such as hay fever, upper respiratory tract irritation, sinus problems and asthma mentioned by TATIB.
The Nocebo effect (cf Placebo) should also be considered. This effect manifests when a subject has a pessimistic belief and expectation that an inert substance will cause harmful consequences and results in the subject believing he or she is adversely affected.
I firmly believe that we need watchdog bodies in society who keep a critical eye open on all matters that could affect our health and well-being and who prevent unwanted practises going unseen in our communities. However, it is not helpful when sweeping statements are made by those seeking attention for their cause.
The suggestion that the application of pesticides in our farming areas will cause “central nervous system damage, respiratory problems and even cancer” is untrue and irresponsible.
The statement “Many of the pesticides that are used on the vineyards in places like Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek have been banned in other countries as they are considered to be highly toxic” is false.
Farmers who export their wine, grapes or fruit are required to follow pest control programmes which are very strictly monitored down to farm level by our own authorities and the countries and their supermarkets that receive these products.
Products used for crop protection are developed by responsible international companies who take great care to ensure their safety when used as prescribed.
It takes ten years from the discovery of a new chemical up to commercial use. In this time the toxicology of the product is intensively researched and studies on toxicity, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity and mammalian reproduction are done.
In addition, environmental studies are undertaken to determine e.g. the effect on beneficial organisms such as bees, naturally occurring predatory insects and micro-organisms. Approximately one third of the total cost of the development of a product (±150 million 1999) is spent on toxicology and environmental studies.
At the turn of the last century, Vine Sulphur dust was found to control the devastating powdery mildew on grapes.
Used at up to 20 kilograms a hectare it was extensively used for many years in the Cape winelands. Contact with this dust can cause extreme eye irritation, burning throat and other respiratory symptoms.
We have come a long way since then and well-researched products applied at a fraction of this rate give good pest control results with minimum effect on man and his environment.
Products used in crop protection today are generally increasingly safer to humans and the environment and this should be recognised.
This increasing emphasis on safety has been driven by the manufacturers’ own conscience and an ever watchful public eye.
We responded via email to Malcolm, copied to the Paarl Post as follows :-
In reaction to your letter in The Paarl Post :-
It is rather unfortunate that you have taken the approach that you have - but as the saying goes " there are none so blind as those who dont want to see"
Are you a medical practitioner or are you part of the farming / agrochemical industry ?
We have attached the latest amendments to Act 36 of 1947 and then also details of what is sprayed on the average vineyard in the Western Cape (we have written notifications from farmers to back up the accuracy of this list ), together with a Synoptic List prepared by the LRC (UCT) after extensive research. You obviously did not take the time to read "whats your poison" which was included in the email that we sent to you after you made contact under the pretext of wanting to know more.If you do further research, you will quickly see that many of the products ( as per attached list) that are used in South Africa have indeed been banned in other countries. The reason that they have been banned is because they are dangerous to both human and environmental health. That is the reason why they have been banned.
We have also attached a few "Product Labels" which are the statutory documents that are dispatched (under act 36 of 1947) with each and every agricultural chemical that is registered for use in South Africa. Go and take a look at the side effects ( and special warnings) of Dichlorvos, Dicarzol & Thioflo. Thioflo, contains Endosulphan, which has been widely used in the vineyards of the Western Cape. After further research, following numerous incidents in which many people exposed to Endosluphan have died, the Manufacturers of this product have been told ( by the international agencies) to cease all manufacture of this product and to recall all stockpiles of it . Endosulphan has now, we have been told, been banned from being used in Agriculture. Dichlorvos is an organophosphate poison, which happens also to be a known neurotoxin. It was developed during WWII as a chemical warfare agent. All 3 mentioned are classified as Class1b Highly Hazardous Compounds by both the WHO & National Dept of Agriculture ( their 1b classification is clearly printed on their product labels). Take note of the withholding period of Dicarzol - ie how long it remains active on certain fruit after being sprayed and the clear warning that one must under no circumstances enter the vineyard within 2 days of the product being applied unless wearing protective clothing. Now what happens when this product gets blown into a residential garden or house? We have seen several photos and videos showing spray drift blowing into the residential areas bordering vineyards and so there is no disputing the fact that spray drift does indeed occur.
The Registrar of Pesticides ( Nat Dept of Agriculture) after a recent conference-workshop in JHB between 6-8 Dec 2009, stated that pesticides are designed to kill and that changes are going to have to be made to the legislation in this country. If you would like his contact details please feel free to contact us.
To state that the "Placebo Effect" is to blame for the high number of people suffering from pesticide related symptoms is grossly incorrect. There are many doctors and specialsts (even in Paarl) who believe that exposure to pesticides is causing health problems. Again many case studies have been done. You need to go back and do some more homework. We have attached an article written by Professor Leslie London that appeared in the Cape Times a few years ago. He has done several in depth studies on pesticide spray drift and resulting ill health.He has also written many books on the subject. We suggest that you contact him and allow him the opportunity to enlighten you further. We do not profess to be pesticide experts, nor do we profess to be medical experts - we are an organisation composed of concerned residents,parents, students & farmers. There also happen to be a number of doctors, specialists and medical practitioners as part of Tatib. There is still a lot of work to be done. We could put you in touch with many doctors/specialists in Paarl who will enlighten you to the fact that there are a large number of ill people as a result of spray drift. One of the local doctors has stated that he regularly treats a farmer from Citrusdal, who ends up in a well known private clinic in Paarl ,with serious poisoning due to the pesticides that he sprays on his citrus orchards.
If you do some research into the "multinational chemical giants" you will soon realise that they have in many instances been fined and or found guilty after it has been shown that they have been misleading the public and or poisoning people by means of the spray drift from their products. This has been well documented and cannot be denied. The testing that they carry out is not on humans but rather on laboratory mice and rats, and more than often ( as many renowned professors will state) its more than often the cocktail of pesticides that is more harmful than the actual individual ones - which is why in the amended act there is specific mention of the mix /cocktail of pesticides.Also it has been proven that the so called "inert" ingredients or "carrier products" are often more toxic than the active ingredients.
Clearly the alleged "environmental studies" that you say are undertaken as part of the product development are just not good enough - if you do your research properly you will soon see that the dwindling honey bee population has been found ( and proven) to have been caused by the use of insecticides in agriculture. The persistent organic pollutants ( like DDT, Lindane and many others) that were supposedly tried and tested and found to be safe for use and harmless to the environment, have now been found to be so toxic that they have been banned worldwide, and furthermore that they never break down ( hence the term Persistent Organic Pollutants) in the environment.
Vine Sulphur Dust - is still used in the vineyards to combat various fungal infections, and its used at a rate of a lot more than 20kg per hectare (we have been told) - and according to the manufacturers, its totally harmless - this in contradiction to your statement that it causes extreme eye, throat and respiratory problems. Its also rated with a hazard 4 rating if our memory serves us correct.
Chlorpyriphos ( which you will probably know was used a lot in the domestic garden ) is now in the process of being banned for use ( in South Africa) in the garden, and will be severely restricted insofar its Agricultural use is concerned, because after decades of being on the market, it has been found to be extremly toxic - hence its imminent withdrawl from the South African market . Its already been banned in other countries.
Another well known product , Dithane, used in most rose gardens (and on vineyards to control powdery mildew) , is only rated 3 on the hazard list. Yet its on a number of international carcinogen lists ( ie its been tested and studied and found to be a carcinogen). Its also on a number of endocrine disruptor and reproductive/developmental toxin lists ( again after extensive research and case studies). Professor Leslie London, of UCT, is studying this product because it contains Manganese, which is a known Neurotoxin.
Yes, farmers who export their fruit and wine are required to, for example, be EurepGap/ GlobalGap certified. However this does not mean that when they spray they are (a) not using harmful pesticides (b) spraying according to the law and according to product label. What EurepGap/GlobalGap looks at are the farmer's spray records so as to ensure that the proper "withholding periods" are adhered to. Now bear in mind that this is only for export produce. The Pesticide Action Network (PANNA) of Europe, tested 40 bottles of wine from across the world. According to the press release, one bottle of wine ( from Stellenbosch) was found to contain 2 toxic and banned pesticides. In another study, done by Professor Leslie London, on the farms around Stellenbosch, large quantities of banned POPs were found - for example over 2 tonnes of DTT, Endosulphan etc. The certification by the international bodies does NOT look at the method of application nor does it look at whether or not any innocent residents were sprayed in the process. And so for a farmer to say that he must be doing things right, as he is GlobalGap certified means nothing.
In closing however, we do agree that the chemical companies are starting to become more and more aware of the safety aspects of these products and we are happy to see that they are developing safer alternatives, largely due to the concerns raised by the public. We firmly believe that the "precautionery principle" be applied to all chemicals - and that is that one must assume that a chemical is toxic until such time as it has been proven to be safe, and not the other way round. Too many chemicals that were considered to be safe for use, ended up being highly toxic after reasearch done years after they were released. The case studies are there. Look at DDT , Thalidomide, Lindane, Endosulphan to name but a few.
We invite you to attend the next meeting where you will be free to ask as many questions as you like.
Tatib followed up with another email sent to both Malcolm & Paarl post on 16 January 2010 :-
Now that we know, you are Bayer's Regional Manager for Product Development, we understand your opinion ( we "googled" you !!)
But then, Bayer of course is in the business of making money from the sale of pesticides.
Were you acting in your personal capacity when you wrote the article, or on behalf of Bayer ?
Does Bayer advertise in the Paarl Post ?
Perhaps you could confirm the accuracy of the following that we found via "Google " ( and then post your reply in the Paarl Post ) :-
BAYER ORDERED TO SETTLE AFTER 24 CHILDREN DIED FROM PESTICIDES : http://www.panna.org/resources/documents/bayerSettlement20070411.dv.html
BAYER EXPOSED (HIV CONTAMINATED VACCINE) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg-52mHIjhs
FDA WARNS BAYER : http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/201001121837DOWJONESDJONLINE000455_FORTUNE5.htm
BAYER URGED TO WITHDRAW WORST PESTICIDES : http://www.cbgnetwork.org/3226.html
BAYER TO STOP SELLING ENDOSULFAN: http://www.cbgnetwork.org/3030.html & http://www.cbgnetwork.org/3010.html
TAKE GLUFOSINATE OFF THE MARKET IMMEDIATELY : http://www.cbgnetwork.org/2785.html
BAYER ORDERED TO PAY 2 MILLION US$ COMPENSATION/DAMAGES : http://www.cbgnetwork.org/3169.html
BAYER CITED FOR MIC TANK VIOLATIONS : http://www.cbgnetwork.org/3231.html
BAYER BLAST COULD HAVE ECLIPSED BHOPAL : http://www.cbgnetwork.org/2877.html
BAYER UNDER PRESSURE : 128 LAWSUITS IN THE USA : http://www.cbgnetwork.org/3122.html
FDA WARNS BAYER : http://www.cbgnetwork.org/3082.html
BAYER BEATEN IN COURT OVER PATENT LAW : http://www.cbgnetwork.org/3038.html
BAYER BLAMED FOR BEE DEATHS : http://www.cbgnetwork.org/2821.html & http://www.cbgnetwork.org/2845.html
CHARGE AGAINST BAYER FOR BEE DEATHS : http://www.cbgnetwork.org/2596.html
GERMANY BANS CHEMICALS LINKS TO BEE DEVASTATION: http://www.cbgnetwork.org/2518.html
BIG WIN FOR BEES: JUDGE PULLS PESTICIDE : http://www.cbgnetwork.org/3190.html
BAYER FINED 10.34 MILLION EUROS : http://www.cbgnetwork.org/2521.html
BAYER AGREES TO PLEAD GUILTY AND PAYS $66 MILLION FINE : http://www.cbgnetwork.org/2521.html
BAYER : TOP CORPORATE AIR POLLUTERS NAMED : http://www.cbgnetwork.org/2427.html
There appear to be many, many more lawsuits , judgements against Bayer and the above may just the tip of the iceberg. We cannot of course confirm that all the above are correct - we only came across these details after doing a "Google search" on "Bayer" . It does however appear that Bayer are not alone, other chemical giants (who also produce pesticides) seem to have long lists of lawsuits & judgements against them.
Perhaps this should all be published so that the public ( those being poisoned) can do their own research ?
On 27 January 2010, Tatib received a copy of a letter sent to The Paarl Post :-
Pesticide Spray practices
With reference to the letter by Malcolm Gordon, published in the Paarl Post on 14 January 2010.
Perhaps it would have been appropriate if Mr Gordon had included his title of Regional Manager for Product Development – Bayer when signing his letter. That way, readers would be able to understand his letter in the context of representing one of the larger pesticide manufacturers. A simple Google search will show the volume of pesticide related court cases his company is facing.
I make no claims of being a chemist, but surely once the chemicals are released into the atmosphere those chemicals will react to whatever is in the atmosphere?
The toxicology impact of the chemicals used in our area will no doubt be highlighted in the research project currently being conducted by Professor London of UCT.
Let’s look at a couple of simple points of law.
Irrespective of what chemicals are being used:
When spraying in the vicinity of a residential area, written notices need to be distributed to all residents within a 5km radius no less than 72 hours prior to spraying. These notices are to include a list of the chemical agents being used together with copies of their warning labels as well as information regarding action in the case of accidental exposure.
Precautions must be taken to ensure that there is no spray drift into the residential area. If wind conditions are such that spray drift (into a residential area) may occur, then spraying is prohibited.
For example, most of the vineyards in our village get sprayed using a centrifugal crop spraying trailer pumping out 8000 litres of pesticide at a nozzle speed of 600 km/h. Quite simply, this method of application ensures that spray drift into the surrounding residential properties will occur – and is therefore breaking the law.
Posted by TATIB at 3:44 AM 4 comments:
Posted by TATIB at 7:05 AM 1 comment:
Links to most of the documents discussed in our blog (Whats your poison, amendements to Act 36 of 1947, representations regarding Chlorpyrifos, list of pesticides sprayed on the average vineyard in the Western Cape) can be found in the latest article on Tatib, in The Green Times . Please go and take a look
Posted by TATIB at 9:55 AM No comments:
Please go and take a look at this excellent report prepared by The Environmental Justice Foundation
Also download "END OF THE ROAD FOR ENDOSULFAN
Posted by TATIB at 8:58 AM No comments:
Posted by TATIB at 8:24 AM No comments:
Following a workshop, on pesticide spray drift, held in Johannesburg on 7/8/9 December 2009 (due to the publicity generated by the Riebeek-Kasteel, Groblersdal & Stellenbosch Tatib issues), sections of Act 36 of 1947 have been amended so as to tighten up the law, giving greater protection to farm workers & adjacent residents, from spray drift and exposure to pesticides.
The amendments, in brief, are as follows:
1. The pest control operator needs to be registered and have certain qualifications and has to keep strict records (for a specific period of time) of what has been sprayed and has also to spray making sure that spraying takes place according to the various stipulations as per Act 36 of 1947.
2. The pest control operator must issue a "treatment notice" at least 72 hours prior to application of any agricultural remedy (pesticide/fungicide/herbicide etc), and that the treatment notice needs to be given to all occupants adjacent to and within a 5 KM radius of the area to be treated.
3. The pest control operator is made responsible for ensuring that anyone who could be exposed to spray drift is to be notified before spraying takes place and that the Product Label is followed at all times (i.e. no spray drift into residential areas is to be allowed).
4. The pest control operator now has to be physically present to supervise the application of the agricultural remedies by unregistered pest control operator (s) i.e. the farm worker(s) doing the actual spraying, and that way made responsible for ensuring that spray drift out of the area being treated does not occur.
The proposed final draft is just that (a proposal ) , and we are hoping that the Registrar (National Department of Agriculture) will, with further consultation, have the draft promulgated.
Posted by TATIB at 12:02 PM 4 comments:
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