pesticides, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Dangerous Chemicals Control Board, inform…
(No. B/338) Ms M. R. Collet (First Member for Rodrigues) asked the Minister of Health and Wellness whether, in regard to pesticides, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Dangerous Chemicals Control Board, information as to the – (a) mechanisms put in place to monitor the use and handling thereof, indicating the statistics provided by licensed companies thereon; 120 (b) sensitisation campaigns held and/or proposed to be held on the use thereof in Rodrigues, and (c) names of the representatives from Rodrigues on the Board.
Reply: The Dangerous Chemicals Control Board, operates under the purview of my Ministry and is responsible for the issue of licences for the import, export, manufacture, sale, storage, distribution or trade in dangerous chemical, in line with the Dangerous Chemicals Control Act 2004. With regard to part (a) of the question, the use and handling of pesticides fall under the aegis of the Ministry of Agro-industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries. In fact, a Pesticides Regulatory Office has been set up thereat under the Use of Pesticides Act 2018. As for part (b) of the question, the Pesticides Regulatory Office conducted visits in Rodrigues in 2018 and 2024 to engage with stakeholders, assess pesticide usage, and ensure compliance with the Use of Pesticides Act. Sensitisation campaigns and training sessions were also conducted on safe handling and mixing of pesticides, correct dosage to be used, adherence to labelling instructions, use of protective equipment, amongst others, during those visits. With regard to part (c) of the question, there are no representatives from Rodrigues on the Dangerous Chemicals Control Board. Nevertheless, officers from the Principal Public Health & Food Safety Inspectorate Cadre posted at the Public Health Office in Rodrigues are entrusted the responsibility to ensure compliance with the relevant provisions of the Dangerous Chemicals Control Act 2004. TAXI OPERATORS WELFARE FUND – FUNDS COLLECTED – MEDICAL SCHEME