PHNOM PENH, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Dangerous pesticides pose serious health risks to farmers and consumers, say NGOs and agricultural officials who have rallied for a national ban, national media reported Monday.
Cambodia spends nearly 30 million U.S. dollars on chemical sprays every year, many of which are illegal in the countries where they are manufactured, according to the Phnom Penh Post.
Cheang Sovannrath, a project officer with the nongovernmental group Chemical Spray Reduction and Sustainable Agriculture, said the campaign, which included a march through Phnom Penh, aims to educate consumers about the dangers of chemical sprays and encourage the government to stop importing them.
"I think this campaign can sound an alarm for consumers and authorities to restrict the import of chemical sprays," Cheang Sovannrath said.
Meanwhile, the campaign is supported by the NGO Forum on Cambodia.
"I think if we don't start this kind of campaign now, we will face real danger in the future," said Keam Makarady, research project coordinator for the Cambodia Center for Study and Development in Agriculture (CEDAC).
Ninety percent of chemical spray users have suffered adverse health effects, with at least 10 percent of these experiencing serious problems, he said.
Cambodia spends nearly 30 million U.S. dollars on chemical sprays every year, many of which are illegal in the countries where they are manufactured, according to the Phnom Penh Post.
Cheang Sovannrath, a project officer with the nongovernmental group Chemical Spray Reduction and Sustainable Agriculture, said the campaign, which included a march through Phnom Penh, aims to educate consumers about the dangers of chemical sprays and encourage the government to stop importing them.
"I think this campaign can sound an alarm for consumers and authorities to restrict the import of chemical sprays," Cheang Sovannrath said.
Meanwhile, the campaign is supported by the NGO Forum on Cambodia.
"I think if we don't start this kind of campaign now, we will face real danger in the future," said Keam Makarady, research project coordinator for the Cambodia Center for Study and Development in Agriculture (CEDAC).
Ninety percent of chemical spray users have suffered adverse health effects, with at least 10 percent of these experiencing serious problems, he said.
11 comments:
I am 100% in support for such campaign.
THIS IS REALLY HELPING PEOPLE!
This is a good raise awareness through campaign.
it is good that the program can help people
Ah Scam Rainxy is highly toxic.
yes, cambodia should permanently ban the use of pesticide as it is dangerous to health, the environment such as water run-off, fish stock, reproductive health, etc... go organic way is better for health and the country in the long run. too much use of pesticide can cause birth defect, and a major health problem, please learn from other country that have used pesticide and see the effects, first hand. it may sound profitable for short-term benefit, but not for long-term. god bless.
When I raised this issue of pesticide being used in Cambodia with 4 of my friends here in the States; to my surprise, all of them were very concerned of the danger from eating fresh fruits and vegetables there.
When asked:
Would you want to move to Cambodia? Their concerns rank in their priority:
1. Food poisoning from pesticide - which could post long term health risk such as cancer ect...
2. Road accident
3. Crimes
4. Lack of law enforcement
5. Health care system ect...
I wish the Cambodian government would take necessary steps to eliminate these issues concerning from Khmer overseas. Ultimately these people are the brightest of Cambodians and their concerns should be taken into consideration as such.
i think it is right for all citizens to be concerned eating food, fruits, etc grown using pesticide. pesticide is not good for anyone's health, not to mention that it's also bad for the environment as well. the good news is that this problem can be fixed by educating cambodia and its citizens about the real danger of using pesticide. please go organic (meaning using natural fertilizers instead) god bless.
I noticed some comments on this very meaningfull article are really funny.
10:25 PM, what's wrong with you?
5:16 AM, " Khmer overseas are the brightest of Cambodian"??????? This is too much and too rude to the 15 millions Khmer in the country, isn't it?
UNITED, UNITED..... yes "word" only but actions are completely different! I always see too much trashes in the forum as such Khmer Hun Sen, Khmer Sam Raingsy, Khmer Overseas, Khmer local .......
Why can't it be just only one Khmer? I know democratically it can't be just one voice. But comes to issue for Khmer as a whole then Khmer should be only one which is KHMER!
11:02 am
Yes I did say "Khmer overseas are the brightest of Cambodians" is right and it still hold truth as of now, because they are the ones who tend to have more schooling and training; their views are more balanced and forward looking. Generally my point holds truth and I am not going to make a big deal out of small thing and neither should you...
Ah Pleu-Oversea is brighter than Khmer in Cambodia? You must be on crack, motherfucker (12:06). What have they accomplished that is better than the Khmer in Cambodia?
hey, don't putting down khmers in cambodia just because khmer overseas have more opportunity for education. remember, it's not good to boast about oneself, please!
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