Environmentalists wants tougher pesticide controls
Environmental groups have welcomed the recent decision to ban the import of the hazardous pesticide terbufos, but also warns that the move is not enough to protect both people and wildlife from ongoing threats posed by other highly toxic chemicals, which they believe are still widely available in the country.
Terbufos is used to kill rodents, but recently also caused the death of of several children in Soweto, who ate snacks contaminated with the toxic substance.
A wildlife and poisoning specialist at the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), John Davis, says the dangers of these substances are far reaching.
“There’s a lot happening on the wildlife poisoning front. We see it in the Western Cape with farm workers, where pesticides are being used that probably shouldn’t even be available in Africa anymore,” said Davis. He spoke after a recent mass poisoning incident in the Kruger Natinal Park, that caused the death of 120 vultures.
“The threat we’re seeing for vultures is also a threat to people. And I think that message is important: we need to value people in the same way we value conservation.”
Conservationists argue that pesticides banned in the European Union and North America continue to be used in South Africa, often with little oversight, putting vulnerable communities — particularly those near protected areas and farms — at serious risk.
The call for action comes amid growing concern over the accessibility and misuse of hazardous agrochemicals, and increasing pressure on the government to bring domestic pesticide regulations in line with international safety standards.
Environmental groups say the recent Soweto tragedy is a grim reminder that the impacts of toxic substances are not confined to wildlife and ecosystems, but are also a direct threat to human life.
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