South African agriculture is undergoing significant regulatory changes, particularly with the phase-out of certain harmful substances. We spoke to Roleen la Grange, regulatory manager at CropLife South Africa, and Chana-Lee White, Agri-Intel manager, to understand these shifts.
La Grange explained that agricultural remedies in South Africa are governed by the Fertilizer, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies, and Stock Remedies Act. New regulations, published in August 2023, define “substances of concern”, including those classified as carcinogens, mutagens, or reproductive toxins (CMRs) under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
La Grange emphasised the distinction between hazard and risk. “Risk only comes into play when also considering exposure. If exposure can be controlled, the risk can be managed.”
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White highlighted that from 1 June 2024, the registrar will no longer approve or renew registrations for remedies containing substances of concern unless a derogation is granted.
It is important to note that products will be discontinued if alternative solutions are available. If no alternatives are available, products will likely not be discontinued.
In this episode, they also discuss:
- What happens if a remedy’s co-formulants are the problem;
- What happens in cases where no suitable alternatives exist;
- The road ahead and more.
Dive deeper into the episode and gain insights from the award-winning Farmer’s Inside Track, officially recognised as Africa and the world’s best podcast at the 2024 Digital Media Awards presented by WAN-IFRA, the global press organisation.
Option 1: Click here to listen on Spotify (all mobile and other devices)
Option 2: Click here to listen on any Apple device
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