NINTH PARLIAMENT OF GUYANA – FIRST SESSION (2006-2007)

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

NOTICE PAPER NO. 125  

 

Question No. (Q97 Opp 96)  

Member Asking: Mr. Anthony Vieira, M.P.

 

Minister Answering: The Minister of Agriculture,

Robert M. Persaud, MBA, MP

 

QUESTION

USE OF WEEDICIDE (GLYPHOSATE) UP STREAM OF THE MAHAICA RIVER

Could the Honourable Minister of Agriculture tell us why is the chemical weedicide Glyphosate being used to spray the Mahaica River up stream of farmers who use the river water for domestic purposes and to irrigate their crops?

 

ANSWER

There is no spraying in the Mahiaca Creek, however, there is spraying of Glyphosate in the Mahaicony Creek.

Riverain communities along the Mahaicony River are plagued by antelope grass and other weeds which affect drainage and irrigation and farming activities.

The growth pattern of these weeds is such that it is anchored to the Banks of the river and grows towards the centre of the river. The grass grows at a rapid pace, which blocks the drains and canals, making it difficult for farmers to transport their crops and affects the flow rate of the river.

Glyphosate is used to control the vegetation on the banks of the river so as to prevent growth of weeds across the river and to maintain the flow rate of the river thereby improving the drainage and irrigation and farming activities (transportation) within these communities.

Glyphosate is a foliar-applied, translocated, non-selective, herbicide used to control most shoreline vegetation and emergent weeds. Glyphosate is classifies as slightly hazardous as classified by the World Health Organization ie Class III.

By applying the herbicide on the weeds anchored on the banks of the river, the chemical is absorbed through the leaves and is then transported throughout the plant. The chemical inhibits the metabolic pathway required to form the essential amino acids that exist in plants. By virtue of this application the parts of the weed that exist in the river are killed and it appears as if the chemical has been applied to those areas or in the water, which is not the case as this is a serious environment concerns.

Since the glyhosate is applied to the banks of the river directly to the foliage of the plants there is no risk posed to domestic householder using the water or to the water being used for irrigation purposes.

 

23-04-07

RMP