All farms need pesticides to control pest, plant diseases, and weed outbreaks from time to time. It is inevitable that hazardous pesticides may be required to control or eradicate these threats because less hazardous pesticides may not be registered or available to control such situations.
This raises the question as to who bears the responsibility for the application of pesticides? Is it the producer, the agent selling the pesticide, the distribution company, the manufacturer, or the consultant?
The second serious question often arises as to who should be held accountable when livestock or crops are harmed or killed as a result of pesticide application?
The answers to these questions will be clearly explained during the webinar so that dairy producers can be cognisant of their position regarding the responsibility for pesticide use. A few recent examples of livestock, crop, and bee losses will also be presented to illustrate the situation.
Dr Gerhard Verdoorn?
Dr Gerhard Verdoorn holds a PhD in Synthetic Organic Chemistry from the University of Johannesburg.
He has published over 84 popular articles on conservation and responsible use of pesticides, and he presents radio programmes on the environment, pest management, and conservation.
Dr Verdoorn is currently the PRO manager of CropLife South Africa. He is also the director of the Griffon Poison Information Centre, which offers advice on exposure to pesticides and other poisons, as well as the management of chemical disasters such as fires, spills and road accidents.
He presents workshops and training courses on responsible pesticide use and is a guest lecturer at the Division of Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Stellenbosch. He is also a steering committee member at the Chair in Plant Health at the University of Stellenbosch.
Dr Verdoorn serves as a special adviser to the law enforcement agencies on chemical and biological substances related to chemical and biological warfare.