THE Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises and Development (FRIEND) Fiji is leading a campaign for the regulation of pesticides in the country.

FRIEND Fiji founder and director Sashi Kiran said pesticides such as paraquat posed a health risk to rural communities, especially women and children.

“We are an NGO based in the West, we work extensively in rural communities in the Western and Northern divisions and we have observed that there is extensive use of pesticides in the communities, but lack of awareness on its effects on their health,” Ms Kiran said.

“Women and children are highly exposed to the risk of diseases like cancer on a day-to-day basis.

“A quick look at the WHO site indicates that some of the pesticides that have sufficient evidence to cause cancer in animals and are probable carcinogenic to humans are not only readily available in Fiji, but are almost household items in rural homes.

“These pesticides are inclusive of paraquat and glysophate, which are available in Fiji under the names of Round Up and Rambo.

“Acephate, the active ingredient in orthene, is also reported to be carcinogenic to humans. Orthene is a very well known and widely used insecticide in Fiji.”

She said many market vendors dip vegetables in these substances to kill insects before they were sold.

The NGO was joined by industry stakeholders in Suva to raise awareness on the issue yesterday.