The Ministry of Agriculture together with the Ministry of Waterways and Environment is seeking public submissions on the usage of chemicals in the agriculture sector and its impact on human health and the environment.
This was stated by the Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Mahendra Reddy during the press conference on agriculture chemicals that was held at their Headquarters in Raiwaqa.
Dr. Reddy says they want to make sure that the chemicals used to boost agricultural production are not having a detrimental effect on the environment and subsequently, on the people.
Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Ritesh Dass says one of the major problems they are facing now is the misuse and overuse of chemicals which are affecting people’s lives and the environment.
Dass says in light of this rising issue, the Ministry is currently doing a full review of all the chemicals that are now registered in Fiji.
He says 65 agriculture chemicals are registered by the Ministry and they will be conducting public awareness sessions next week which will run for a couple of weeks.
He further says they will be publishing a full list of this chemicals for the public and are also inviting submissions from the public, industry and stakeholders on their views on the current situation of the use of this chemicals in Fiji and the preferred correct administration and usage of Agricultural chemicals in Fiji going forward.
The Permanent Secretary says all submissions must reach their Ministry by the 28th of February.
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