South African farmers must comply with the Hazardous Substances Act of 1973 when using pesticides, particularly Group 1 Category B products. Experts from CropLife South Africa, Hiresh Ramanand and Quade Sing Jam, explain key regulations, including how to identify hazardous substances and ensure proper storage.
Group 1 Category A substances, such as technical-grade aluminium phosphide and zinc phosphide, are only relevant to manufacturers and formulators, not farmers. In contrast, Group 1 Category B substances, which are formulated pesticide products, fall under the scope of the Act for farmers.
Hiresh said, “It is only the formulated registered pesticide products that meet the criteria of Group 1 Category B according to this act that is applicable to farmers.”
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Farmers historically identified Group 1 Category B pesticides by a red colour band on their labels. However, with the adoption of the globally harmonised system of classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS), this marking system has been replaced, causing confusion, Hiresh explained.
With the new format GHS labels, there are no colour bands, so what exactly are inspectors going to look for? As a temporary solution, farmers are advised to continue locking up pesticides previously marked with red labels, following the guidance from the department of health.
One essential compliance measure for Group 1 Category B pesticides is the “double-locking” requirement. This means farmers must securely store these products behind lock and key in pesticide storage facilities. Options include a ventilated lockable room or a mesh cage within the store.
Hiresh stressed, “Whichever option is decided on will depend on the specifications of the pesticide store and not forgetting budget.”
The primary goal is to ensure all Group 1 Category B pesticides remain securely stored to prevent unauthorised access and protect public health and safety.
In this episode, they also discuss:
- Whether farmers need a Section 4 license or a poison register?
- Advice to farmers using Group 1 Category B pesticides.
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.
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