Article
Banning of certain pesticides being discussed
Published: 23/06/2025
On
the 12th of June 2025, it was announced that Cabinet has approved
the ban on the importation of the pesticide Terbufos. This follows the unacceptable
and tragic death of six children in Soweto last year, after they ingested food
contaminated with Terbufos. This may
only be the start as ngo’s have called for the immediate ban of all 194 highly
hazardous pesticides currently registered in South Africa. These ngo’s reject the notion of phase-out
periods subject to industry discretion.
Background
On
the 12th of June 2025, it was announced that Cabinet has approved
the ban on the importation of the pesticide Terbufos. This follows the unacceptable
and tragic death of six children in Soweto last year, after they ingested food
contaminated with Terbufos. This may
only be the start as ngo’s have called for the immediate ban of all 194 highly
hazardous pesticides currently registered in South Africa. These ngo’s reject the notion of phase-out
periods subject to industry discretion.
The
SA Government appointed multi-disciplinary task teams to look into the deaths
of the children. Terbufos is sold illegally and informally as a so-called
‘street pesticide’ for domestic use in townships and informal settlements to
control rats. President Ramaphosa said in a statement on the matter on 24
November 2024 that:” The unregulated use of restricted pesticides in communities
has become a growing problem, with devastating consequences. In many townships
another chemical, Aldicarb, and an organophosphate known as Galephirimi are
commonly sold by street vendors and hawkers to control rat infestations. Aldicarb
has been banned for use in South Africa since 2016….
One of the reasons that
people use pesticides is to deal with rat infestation. The problem of rat
infestation is due in part to poor waste management in several municipalities. Rubbish
is not collected regularly, streets are not being cleaned, creating conditions
for rats and other pests to thrive. Often, the poorest communities are the
worst affected, and often the cheapest remedies that are used are these highly
hazardous substances like Terbufos and Aldicarb. Another challenge is that
responsibility for environmental health that should happen in our communities
is the responsibility of local government. Many municipalities do not have the
capacity and resources to conduct inspections of these businesses and enforce
regulations.”
Dr
Gerhard Verdoorn, a prominent expert in pesticides and pesticide use said that
the Terbufos present in local communities have been imported from other
countries. [1]
Despite this, Cabinet has now decided to ban Terbufos and ngo’s are lobbying
Parliament to ban all highly hazardous chemicals from the country.
South
African People's Tribunal on AgroToxins (SAPToA) presentation to Portfolio
Committee on Agriculture
On
20 May 2025 SAPToA briefed the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture on their
findings regarding the impact of highly hazardous chemicals in agriculture. This
grouping conducted public hearings in Stellenbosch and received testimonies
from farm workers, trade unions, and health experts. They did not however invite any industry or
farming groups to testify at these hearings. It appeared that the Department of
Agriculture was also not invited to the hearings. The group claims amongst
other things that widespread secrecy surrounding pesticide use in agriculture
and that there is state collusion with industry. According to SAPToA farm workers have been
exposed to harmful pesticides across generations and that highly hazardous
pesticides (HHPs) carried significant risks, including cancers, birth defects,
and environmental degradation.
Broader
perspective
The
death of people because of exposure to pesticides is completely unacceptable,
and the deaths of the children due to poisoning is absolutely tragic. Environmental degradation and health problems
that can be linked to the use of highly hazardous pesticides should also
concern all of us. However, it is important that all decisions taken should be
based on fact and science and that a holistic approach be taken considering all
the socio-economic, food security and health and environmental implications and
weighing all available options.
A
vital part of sustainably producing sufficient quantities of safe food is the
ability to protect crops from devastating pests and diseases, minimise the
impact of weeds on crops, and mediate certain responses in the crops to support
growth and yield. Agricultural remedies, when used responsibly and in
accordance with the label and the law, are critical tools in this pursuit.
Apart
from the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act
(Act No. 36 of 1947), South African agriculture operates under multiple layers
of legislation beyond Act No. 36 of 1947. These include the Occupational Health
and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) and the 2021 Regulations for Hazardous Chemical
Agents. Environmental legislation in the form of the National Environmental
Management Act (NEMA) (Act 107 of 1998) plays a crucial role in regulating
pesticides, focusing on environmental protection and sustainable use.
It
should be recognised that Terbufos for example, is a highly effective pesticide
that is widely used on many different crops. It is used in combatting pests that plague
potatoes, beans, grains, fruit and vegetables. Alternatives are not readily
available or viable in terms of efficacy, cost, residue management etc in all
instances. In many cases alternatives are also considered to be highly
hazardous.
A
direct comparison between what products that are authorised for use in South
Africa versus other countries is also not a fair comparison. Climatic
conditions, agronomic practices, pest composition and even crop types are not
exactly the same in South Africa versus Europe for example. A controlled
phase-out of older agricultural remedies, with the concurrent introduction of
new technologies that are less hazardous to people and the environment, is
already underway in South Africa.
It
also needs to be recognised that banning a product will not necessarily solve
the problem of illegal use and accidental poisoning. Despite being banned in
South Africa in 2016, another illegal street poison aldicarb is still available
at taxi ranks and street vendors in our country.
Conclusion
Crop
protection is a vital tool that farmers require in order to protect the crops
that ultimately become our food or drink, feed for livestock or fibre. We have
a responsible industry, that is very focussed on sustainability. We also have a comprehensive regulatory
framework.
Agriculture
is long term business. Sustainability lies at the heart of every farming
operation and is embedded across the agricultural value chain. Responsible
pesticide use is very much part and parcel of sustainability. The agricultural
industry wants to be part of the solution in coming up with less harmful crop
protection methods and remedies, but this will not happen overnight. A science-based
holistic approach is required.
Annelize
Crosby
Legal Intelligence Manager, Agbiz
[1] https://www.primediaplus.com/terbufos-poisoning-closing-spaza-shops-only-treats-the-symptoms-not-the-cause-toxicologist/