Antigua and Barbuda
Residents Warned Against Illegally Treating Diseased Palms
- Details
- Environment Articles
- Friday, 22 June 2012 02:30
- By caribarena news
Antigua St. John’s – The Plant Protection Unit and the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board have expressed concern about the practice of individuals who are reportedly applying the antibiotic oxy-tetracycline hydrochloride to diseased palms, including coconut.
This action has been attributed to certain “operatives” who have been accused of informing palm owners that the disease is Lethal Yellowing, and who have been advocating and actually applying the antibiotic to the affected trees.
“We wish to inform the public that this is an illegal activity, as the product has not been registered for use in Antigua & Barbuda. In addition, improper application and use of this product can lead to serious health issues in children and other persons who consume coconuts taken from treated trees,” the agencies said in a release.
The release pointed to the fact that the majority of palms in Antigua are currently being affected by an agent (or agents) that has (have) caused the death of some plants to date and has caused yellowing in others.
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“The Plant Protection Unit and the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and the Environment recently enlisted the assistance of a palm expert, to sample trees island-wide.”
Those samples have sent off for testing in order to confirm the cause of the problem.
“It is expected that the results of these tests will be available in another week,” the communiqué said. “The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and the Environmentousing and the Environment wishes to reiterate that the cause of the problem has yet to be confirmed.”
The general public is asked to take serious note of this situation and further asked to note that the Plant Protection Unit will advise on strategies to deal with the problem as soon as confirmation of the cause of the problem has been received.
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1 Comments In This Article
Urgency - The Grim Reaper in Many Forms Stalks the Land!
Why have we not sought the assistance of UWI? It was known the last year St. Lucia received assistance from UWI, Colombia & Cuba.
There is a definite Urgency to effect Transformative Imperatives, Immediate, Scientific, Energetic and Passionate Action in the Environmental Portfolio.
In Comments Each Endeavouring All Achieving - Forging Forward to A Blue Renaissance 2012-01-05 21:36 it was suggested that the Good Hon. Dr. PM. be guided by Solon or better yet Nelson Mandela to create A Super Ministry of the Environment to include Agriculture, Lands, Fishery, Tourim, Aviation, Security, Public Works, etc under the leadership of the Good Hon. Dr. Min Of Security.
Urgency demands action NOW, hence if the Good Hon Dr. PM does not wish to be Transformative but be Transactional, it would be most apropos, given the reduced energy of the Hon Min of Agriculture & Fishery, to return the Fisheries Portfolio to the Good Lady Senator Massiah notwithstanding the "Big One got Away". The Good Hon Min of Agriculture would be able to put "working handles" to this task.
John French II
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