-testing to be done for lead in paint from next year
The Ministry of Agriculture’s Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals (Control) Board (PTCCB) commissioned a new administrative building at Mon Repos yesterday.
A release from the Ministry of Agriculture said that the building was constructed and outfitted at a cost of $115 million.
While delivering remarks at the commissioning, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha said sound chemicals management remains of utmost importance and that the commissioning of the facility demonstrates the government’s commitment and support for the work of the agency and chemicals management.
“This building is being commissioned against the backdrop that we are now modernizing this system. The role of the board is to ensure proper management of pesticides and other chemicals. Today, Guyana is seen as a leader in agriculture and this includes areas such as pesticides and toxic chemicals management. As a government, we also encourage farmers and stakeholders to minimize the use of chemicals”, the minister said.
Mustapha also said, according to the release, that the PTCCB is constantly working to phase out the use of prohibited substances. He noted that, as it relates to trade and export, some countries are placing restrictions on certain commodities that have traces of some chemicals, and in an effort to maintain export markets, the government has been working to ensure safer substitutes are employed.
He disclosed that next year Guyana through the PTCCB will commence testing for and monitoring lead in paints after investing in equipment valued at $43.8 million. He also said that laws for transporting toxic chemicals on the roadways will also be implemented next year.
Meanwhile, Registrar of the PTCCB Trecia David said sound management of chemicals is a key component of the sustainable development goals, and therefore, a key enabler for achieving sustainable development.
“The sound management of chemicals is also a key component of the Sustainable Development Goals, as it is referred to in five of the twelve goals, and therefore a key enabler for achieving sustainable development. Chemicals management is also a key component of food security and food safety. If you were to check in developing countries where chemicals management has been achieved soundly, you will find one of the most important facets is political will. Here in Guyana, we’ve been thankful. What you see before you today as the Pesticides Board, when it first began, was five percent of what you see now. It has been the strong political will that has given much support to what chemicals management has become,” David said. Mustapha also said over the past four years, several services have been introduced and are now offered by the PTCCB to assist with developing other agricultural sub-sectors.
The release said that when the government took office in 2020, several farmers raised concerns about the quality of the fertilizers available on the local market. As a result, it said that the PTCCB began testing fertilizers for quality assurance.
“With effect from 2021, all fertilizers imported for the agriculture sector are being tested here to ensure they meet the required standard quality for our farmers. Today this service is of international standard. The PTCCB also offers water testing which aids with the development of the fisheries and aquaculture sector is also offered by the PTCCB”, the release said.
