The Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises and Development, or FRIEND, has launched a Campaign to ensure the Regulation of Pesticides for Public Health.
People use these substances and don’t wear protective gear, while others consume fruits or vegetables containing pesticides.
FRIEND founder SashiKiran says exposure to these harmful chemicals is occurring on a daily basis.
‘Of the twelve people surveyed, six of them were dipping their vegetables in Orthene, that means, when we bring vegetables, the farmer grows, middle man and when it comes to the market for us to buy, in order for the bugs to not be there, they dip it in Orthene and water, so the tomatoes we wash and put in our mouths have just been dipped in chemicals like Orthene’.
The campaign hopes to reach as many people as possible in order to push policy makers for change.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation conducted a study in Fiji in 2010 and recommended that our Pesticide Decree be reviewed.
