Over $4M in illegal pesticides seized

The Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board recently seized over $4M illegal agriculture and household pesticides and products during a two-month exercise conducted across the country.

In a press release, the Board, which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Inspection and Enforcement Unit, said the items were confiscated because they contravene the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Regula-tions 2004 (No. 8 of 2004), which requires that all pesticides imported, sold and used in Guyana must be registered. In addition, labels affixed to the products that were seized did not comply with the regulation requirements.

An inspector from the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board displays some of the unregistered chemicals that were seized during a recent exercise.

In keeping with this, the Board advises the public that in accordance with the Pesticides and Toxic Chemi-cals Control Act 2000 (No.13 of 2000) anyone who imports, distributes, vends, stores or uses any illegal pesticides including unregistered products such as agriculture pesticides, rat poison, fly, ants and roach baits, mosquito coil and aerosols are liable to prosecution in the courts and shall be fined and imprisoned under the Act.

Persons interested in importing these items are urged to call 220-8880 or visit website http://www.ptccb. org.gy for more information.