Pesticides are used for the control of pests that affect agricultural production, buildings and health.

The nature of these chemicals present certain risks to the applicators, the consumers and the environment.

The control of pesticides is necessary to ensure that pesticide use does not result in unreasonable risk to health and the environment.

Pesticides Control Board, Belize

On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, the Pesticides Control Board of Belize hosted the 13th Meeting of the Coordinating Group of Pesticides Control Boards of the Caribbean (CGPC) from the 16th to 20th June 2008. The event was held at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City.

The week of activities commenced with the Marla Holder Pesticide Symposium on 16th June, held in honor of pioneer Board member, Dr. Marla Berry-Holder. The Symposium had presentations of six pesticide-related papers in the areas of regulatory frameworks, human health and the environment. Following the Symposium, there was a Forum on the 17th June on the topic: The Registration of Pesticides by Equivalence. This Forum targeted pesticides regulatory officials of the Caribbean region, and had presentations from the pesticide industry associations CropLife and ALINA.

The regular meeting of the CGPC was held from the 18th to 20th June, and included a Workshop facilitated by the Rotterdam and Stockholm Convention Secretariats to promote the ratification and implementation of these Conventions in the region. Countries represented include Antigua, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, St. Kitts/Nevis, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago.

The Pesticides Control Board is a statutory Board under the Ministry of Agriculture, mandated with the implementation of the provisions of the Pesticides Control Act. The Pesticides Control Act was passed in the National Assembly in 1985 to provide for the control of the manufacture, importation, sale, storage and use of pesticides and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The Act came into effect in December 1988. The Pesticides Control Board has been carrying out its mandate since May 1988 through its Secretariat located in Central Farm, Cayo District.

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