pesticideslatest news & developments
In circulation: Highly hazardous pesticides, including Terbufos, flood informal markets where they are sold illegally as cheap, effective pest control. Picture: File

SA moves to ban deadly pesticide

Given the rate of deaths in 2023 and 2024, averaging one every second day, a delay of six months or more could mean up to another 100 deaths

  • Sheree Bega
9 min read
Food poisoning results in illness and, in some cases, death. Among the causes is the underground economy of fake goods. Photo: File

Food poisoning: How an organisation is stepping In to protect people

Twenty-three children have died and nearly 900 people have fallen ill from food poisoning but the Bakery & Food Technology Incubator is fighting back by testing food and mentoring businesses

8 min read
Accidental deaths: Products readily available in local shops are bought to deal with problems such as rats. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Deadline to register spaza shops is 17 December

Businesses that miss the registration window will be closed down

  • Aarti Bhana
2 min read
Bill Gates with farmer Mary in Kenya. (Photo by Gates Notes)

Bill Gates plays God in Africa’s agriculture and gets it wrong

Agra’s drive for a ‘green revolution’ has reduced crop diversity, created a dependency on commercial seeds and fertiliser and increased vulnerability to drought

  • Simon Allison
8 min read
Eskom and Sasol, which are considered two of the country’s biggest polluters, have been granted postponements, suspensions and/or alternative limits of the minimum emissions standards since 2015. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

UN special rapporteur: Toxic pollution in SA fuelled by corporate greed and government inaction 

Marcos Orellana noted the poor disposal of waste and hazardous substances, the wide use of pesticides and weak enforcement of regulations

  • Sheree Bega
7 min read
Draft regulations for hazardous chemical agents issued by the government affect the fundamental rights of farmworkers and other farm dwellers, who are routinely exposed to high levels of toxic pesticides, particularly on wine and fruit farms. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Draft regulations on hazardous chemical agents leave farmworkers at risk

South Africa must exit pesticide treadmill, civil society groups say This content is restricted to registered users and subscribers. Get Your Free Account The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience. Please register your free account now. Your registration is your first step to becoming an M&G community member. Register Registration enables: – M&G newsletters access – notifications – the best possible experience Already registered? Login here Want to subscribe and get even more benefits? Explore our subscription offers

  • Sheree Bega
1 min read
Draft regulations for hazardous chemical agents issued by the government affect the fundamental rights of farmworkers and other farm dwellers, who are routinely exposed to high levels of toxic pesticides, particularly on wine and fruit farms. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Highly hazardous pesticides pose risks to South Africans, says environment department official

Toxins are found in water and the soil and these harm human health and the environment

  • Sheree Bega
8 min read