SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1984
FARMERS WARNED OF DANGEROUS INSECTICIDE
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THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY CALLED ON FARMERS WHO ARE IN POSSESSION OF A DANGEROUS INSECTICIDE WHICH CARRIES THE CHINESE NAME +LUNG BO+ (FARMER'S TREASURE) AND A SQUARE-IN-A-CIRCLE TRADE MARK, TO SURRENDER IT IMMEDIATELY.
HOWEVER, WHILE THE INSECTICIDE CAN BE DANGEROUS TO THOSE WHO COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT WITH IT, THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE WORRIED.
THE INSECTICIDE DEGRADES VERY RAPIDLY AND ANY CROPS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN SPRAYED UNDERGO A THOROUGH WASHING PROCESS WHICH, ACCORDING TO AFD EXPERTS, REDUCES ANY POTENTIAL RISK FACTOR TO ONE OF +EXTREME REMOTENESS+.
THE INSECTICIDE IS PACKED IN 250-MILLILITRE ALUMINIUM BOTTLES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE BOTTLES CONTAIN PARATHION-METHYL, A DEADLY POISON, INSTEAD OF +ELSAN+ AS CLAIMED IN THE LABEL.
THIS TOXIC INSECTICIDE HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR A NUMBER OF DEATHS WORLDWIDE AND HAS BEEN BANNED IN HONG KONG SINCE 1955.
→IT POSES A PARTICULARLY HIGH RISK TO THE FARMER AND HIS IMMEDIATE FAMILY WHO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE INSECTICIDE IN THE COURSE OF THEIR WORK AS IT CAN CAUSE SICKNESS, OR DEATH IN SERIOUS CASES, WHEN ABSORBED THROUGH THE SKIN OR THROUGH INHALATION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE UNREGISTERED INSECTICIDE CAME TO LIGHT DURING A RECENT INVESTIGATION IN WHICH SOME 200 BOTTLES OF THE INSECTICIDE WERE SEIZED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
POSSESSION OF AN UNREGISTERED AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDE IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE AGRICULTURAL PESTICIDE ORDINANCE AND CARRIES A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF A $50 000 FINE AND ONE YEAR'S IMPRISONMENT.
AS USERS MIGHT HAVE BEEN MISLED BY THE LABELLING ON THE INSECTICIDE, THEY ARE GIVEN TWO WEEKS WITHIN WHICH TO SURRENDER THE IR STOCKS TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID THOSE POSSESSING THIS INSECTICIDE SOLELY FOR THEIR OWN USE WILL NOT BE PROSECUTED IF THEY SURRENDER IT BY APRIL 9 (MONDAY).
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THE INSECTICIDE BE THROWN AWAY OR LEFT LYING AROUND THE IR FARMS OR PREMISES, HE ADDED.
ALL FARMERS ARE ADVISED TO CHECK THE IR SUPPLIES OF PESTICIDES CAREFULLY AND TO SURRENDER THE UNREGISTERED INSECTICIDE, IF ANY, IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEAREST AFD FARM OR LIAISON OFFICE IN THE NE TERRITORIES.
FOR ENQUIRIES. FARMERS MAY CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS ON 3-688111, EXT. 209 OR 235.
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