Anyone found misusing Methyl bromide will be taken to task - Wycliffe

The Permanent Secretary of Waterways and Environment, Joshua Wycliffe says anyone found misusing Methyl bromide will be taken to task.

Methyl bromide is being used by bio-security officers and fumigators as a gas fumigant against insects, termites, rodents, weeds, nematodes, and soil-borne diseases and it is an ozone-depleting substance that affects climate change.

He made this comment while opening the Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme Training where over twenty bio-security enforcement officers and fumigators are taking part in a week-long training on the use and effects of methyl bromide at the Southern Cross Hotel in Suva.

He says that as a signatory to the Montreal Protocol, the Ministry is actively looking at alternative chemicals and methodology as methyl bromide is an ozone-depleting substance that affects climate change. 

He says, if it is excessively and improperly used, it can cause skin irritation as well.

He adds this is one of the reasons why the ministry does not prefer the use of such chemical and if people are using it improperly, inspectors from the Ministry of Environment will find them and they will be taken to task.

Wycliffe also says this training is important as the Fijian economy depends a lot on imports and exports and the economy will also thrive if food security is kept safe.

He says there are a lot of material coming in and out of the country so the border staff and the environmental staff handle a lot of chemical and materials that come in and out of the country and this training will keep the officers updated on the chemicals used.

Australian Fumigation Accreditation Scheme is a biannual event and it has been happening for the last six years.