MINISTER of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, says that “the Pesticide Board will not flex” as the Ministry of Agriculture continues its campaign against the illegal selling and usage of pesticides.
During a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle at his Regent Road, Georgetown office, he pointed out that “like medicine, pesticides and any other chemicals have rules that should be followed – one of which has to do with the licensing of those chemicals.”

Smuggled pesticides
He said that this is essential since there are some chemicals that are banned in the country due to its negative effects on human life and the environment, like monocrotophos. As such, Minister Ramsammy is warning persons, especially farmers, to make sure the drugs used are legal since there is an overwhelming presence of smuggled pesticides in the country.
The Pesticide and Toxic Chemical Board of the Ministry of Agriculture has embarked on an ongoing zero tolerance campaign against the sale of illegal pesticides.
In an interview with this publication last month, Registrar of the Board, Ms. Trecia David said that the Board is collaborating with the Customs and Trade Administration of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to monitor all ports of entry for imported illegal chemicals.
She had further stated that persons should be wary when purchasing such chemicals and noted that a complete listing of legal pesticide importers can be found on the Board’s website www.ptccb.org.gy.
Additionally, she cautioned that should anyone be caught importing illegal chemicals, all their imports will be confiscated, resulting in the loss of their investment. They will also be taken to court and fined.
Meanwhile, in 2012 approximately 1,500 farmers benefitted from the ministry’s programme that facilitated training to educate them regarding dose rates, legal and illegal products and generally, safety guidelines for usage of chemicals (pesticides).