Herbicides and pesticides

| 14/05/2009

This pertains in the first place to the use of the herbicide paraquat that recently killed another two dogs that were dropped off at the Humane Society. Island Veterinary reported upon this and other dogs have recently died from the same poisoning.

Why on earth are we still using this very horrible product among others? Can’t use it in the field of produce as it would poison the crop as well. Don’t need it in the big field as we can use bulldozers for that part, so my question is: What is it being used for? Why does the DOA need to appoint certified applicators for it as it is so dangerous to use? Are we simply waiting for a human (very likely an infant) to be poisoned as it seems clear that animals do not receive any protection from its use?

In addition to paraquat, why are we still using another fine product called Strychnine that killed 50 or so dogs a number of years ago? To kill rats (currently its most common worldwide use) so the killed rats can kill our already diminished population of barn owls that primarily feed on rats? Not to mention the strong possibility of killing cats for the same reason as well.

What about agent orange, is that still around? Now that stuff really kills, believe you me. I have seen it used many years ago on a plot in South Sound, literally smokin’! Please tell me at least that stuff has left the building!

Besides the aforementioned, there is nowadays a herbicide and pesticide for just about anything that moves or grows that people don’t want around, but even more so when they do want it to be around, such as companion animals and general wildlife, but kill them in the process, most of the time not intentionally however.

We all complain about Mount Trashmore and in a sense rightfully so, even though we are the ones that put it there. (Perhaps a couple of thousand gallons of green latex paint over it will do some good for the time being.) We complain what it will do or already has done to our environment, seeping into the North Sound, etc. What do you think all these herbicides and pesticides are doing to the environment? Simply going away? Do we really think that they are all biodegradable? No long lasting residues?

Can somebody agree with me that we really need to rid ourselves of as many herbicides and pesticides as possible? I daresay our entire ecosystem depends on it to protect man and animal alike and removing paraquat and strychnine from the shelves would be a very good start, wouldn’t you say.

There are alternatives but that will involve more human labour. Perhaps the government can consider a plan towards this and possibly create employment for a lot of the currently unemployed labourers.

Just a thought.

 

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  1. Anonymous says:




    Importation of poisons of all sorts are very poorly regulated in the Cayman Islands – sadly it is very much a case of "out of sight, out of mind". The impact of broad base poisons on non-target species will occasionally come to light with the poisoning of pets – the ongoing impact on wildlife and ecosystems is largely undetermined.

  2. Lorax says:

    Ron, you are absolutely right about this. These animal poisonings are completely unacceptable and these products should be banned from the Cayman Islands.

    What is brought here and put on the land stays around and enters our ground water and seeps out on to our reefs. There is no justification for the continued importation of dangerous poisons to this very small island.