malvernmugadzikwa
Online Reporter
KUTSAGA, the country’s sole agro research institute, has blacklisted 15 chemicals that were previously used in the production of flue-cured tobacco.
The move is in compliance with phytosanitary requirements under international trade.
The institute also released a full list of approved agro-chemicals (insecticides, fungicides, nematicides and growth regulators) that are acceptable.
Insecticides that have been deregistered include acephate, fenvalerate, methamidophos, monocrotophos, thiodicarb, chlorprifos and methomyl, while aldicarb is the only nematicide that has been prohibited from use.
Alachlor, dimenthenamid, metalachlor and trifluralin complete the list of herbicides that were scratched.
Under prohibited plant regulators are pendimethalin and butralin, while benomyl is the only fungicide that is no longer permitted from the previously used chemicals.
In a statement, head of crop production and molecular technologies Mrs Rhoda Mavuka said any tobacco found treated with the de-registered chemicals will be destroyed without compensation to the grower.
Said Mrs Mavuka: “No person shall treat any tobacco with a remedy which is not registered nor reap or offer for sale any tobacco treated with a non-registered remedy.
“Any tobacco so treated will be destroyed without compensation to the grower and this legislation has been used to destroy tobacco in the field or offered for sale where the regulations are infringed.”
Kutsaga, as mandated by the Tobacco Marketing and Levy Act (Chapter 18:20), continually tests, approves and monitors all crop protection agents for use on tobacco under the Pesticide Approval Scheme Service.
Mrs Mavuka said over 90 percent of the country’s tobacco crop is exported and must therefore meet stringent international agrochemical regulations for international acceptance and maintenance of markets, especially in an increasingly competitive global market.
Bongani Ndlovu