Pesticides Awareness Week in the English-Speaking Caribbean

In a bid to improve and control the use of pesticides in the English-speaking Caribbean, the countries have joined forces to celebrate "Pesticides Awareness Week" this year from 21-25 September 2009. The theme for this year is "Improving Pesticides Management through Public Education and Participation".

Following are messages from Jamaica on this event published in the Daily Gleaner dated 22 September 2009.

• "Be careful when using pesticides" - in his message, the Minister of Health stated that his theme underlines the importance of proper handling and usage of pesticides in his message.
• "Striving to educate pesticides users" - The Registrar of the Pesticides Control Authority (PCA) indicated that the important goal is to reduce accidental pesticide poisonings, particularly among young children.