Pubdate: Sat, 30 Jan 2016
Source: Herald, The (South Africa)
Copyright: 2016 The Herald
Contact:  http://www.theherald.co.za/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2961
Author: David Macgregor

POLICE PLAN TO SPRAY DAGGA PLANTATIONS DESPITE OUTCRY

POLICE are going to use helicopters to spray dagga fields in the 
former Transkei with poisonous chemicals again this year despite 
widespread opposition.

Eastern Cape police spokeswoman Col Sibongile Soci said yesterday the 
spraying of Round-up would take place in the remote "hills and 
valleys" along the Mzintshana River near Port St Johns.

The decision has been slammed by environmental and dagga activists 
who claim glysophates in the poison "probably cause cancer", 
according to the World Health Organisation, and they seriously impact 
flora, fauna and people. They say it has been banned all over the world.

In a letter to police last week from Boqwana Burns law firm, the 
Transkei Animal Welfare Initiative, the Amapondo Children's Project 
and Fields of Green for All said using glysophates violated 
constitutional human rights. They also question the environmental 
impact in a sensitive bio-diversity hotspot.

A police statement said, "spraying is safe and cost-effective and a 
much larger area can be covered in a very short period of time".
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom