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/ PRODUCTION AND TECHNOLOGY

than what is prescribed, is a punish able rears its head, or the highveld thunderclouds
violation of Act No. 36 of 1947. are about to explode, or if it is so hot that

F Provide your farmworkers with basic training everything evaporates, then it is time to halt
about the safe and responsible use of pesticide application for a while.
pesticides. J Once the pesticide containers are empty,

G Supply farmworkers who mix and apply they need to be triple-rinsed with one quarter
pesticides with protective clothing such as volume fresh water and the rinse water must
face masks, cloth hats, overalls with long be decanted into the spray tank. Containers
sleeves and long pants, rubber boots, and should be left to dry and afterwards pierced
rubber gloves. Ensure that they always wear or cut into pieces before handing it over to a
their protective clothing, even the tractor CropLife SA-approved collector or recycler. A
operator. It is necessary to protect them list of approved service providers is available
from splashes, mists and oral ingestion of on croplife.co.za as well as guidelines for the
pesticides and spray mixtures. management of obsolete pesticide containers.

H Calibrate the spray equipment to apply the K Avoid any malicious misuse of pesticides

correct dosage of pesticides. This includes such as poisoning of animals. Not only is
examining the spray heads to ensure that this illegal and inhumane, but it also poses
they are not eroded or blocked. Consult your a secondary poisoning risk to other animals.
agrochemical agent for calibration advice. Some species, such as vultures, have
I Pesticides must only be applied if weather already been dealt a huge blow through

conditions are favourable. If the south-easter poisonings.

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Volume 22 No 3 September 2020 | 21