EPA to get tough with illegal dealers

Fiapre (B/A), Sept. 25, GNA - The Brong-Ahafo Regional Office of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Regional Police Command, will embark on an exercise to flush out agro-chemical dealers who have not registered with the Agency. Mr. Isaac Osei, acting Regional Director of EPA disclosed this during an interaction with media personnel at Fiapre, near Sunyani. He expressed concern about the alarming rate agro chemicals were being misapplied on vegetables and other foodstuff leading to diseases. The interaction centred on issues bothering on the environment with emphasis on pesticides control and management in the region. Mr. Osei explained that pesticides meant for a particular crop or vegetables were applied on other crops, which he said posed a threat to the health of consumers.

"Agro-chemicals, particularly, pesticides are meant to increase food productivity but its misuse can jeopardize the lives of the people," he said.

The acting Regional Director explained that a pregnant woman could deliver prematurely for handling agro-chemicals nakedly and urged all and sundry to join the crusade in propagating the adverse effects of the misapplication of pesticides.

He said the EPA would no longer entertain 'table top' agro-chemical traders and warned that such dealers would be apprehended and made to face the full rigours of the law.

On noise pollution, Mr. Osei explained that the Agency was accessing the existing noise line level at some selected areas in the Sunyani municipality and the exercise would be extended to other districts in the region.

He said the findings would enable the EPA to put in place measures to improve the situation.