Amnesty brings in large quantities of banned pesticides after dog's death

Thursday 07 September 2017

Commercial quantities of pesticides have been handed in after a special amnesty was relaunched following the death of a dog who was poisoned by a banned substance.

Last month test results showed that 10-year-old Cyrena, a Japanese Spit, had been poisoned by Phorate - an insecticide that acts as a nerve toxin, banned since 2003. There was a 12-month ‘use up’ period after, following which any use, or storage of Phorate, would have been illegal under the 1991 Pesticide Law.

Shortly after the test results were announced, the Department for the Environment issued a reminder about the amnesty in order to "encourage people to hand in banned or out of date pesticides without fear of prosecution."

A spokesperson explained that they aim to get banned pesticides and chemicals out of people's sheds so that they can be disposed in the appropriate way. Members of the department’s laboratory staff are fully qualified to handle pesticides while the lab has the necessary equipment to collect pesticides both from commercial and private properties. 

The new appeal proved successful as large quantities of herbicides that had been banned for around ten years, were handed in to the Department approximately two weeks ago. The quantities were described as "commercial" and included 5 litres of chemicals and 10 kg of dry concentrates. One allotment owner also contacted the department for advice on his "amateur products" and around 12 bottles were taken away by environmental officers. A spokesperson said this was a good result and that the herbicides had been safely disposed of. 

Pictured: Banned pesticides and herbicides can be handed in to the Department of the Environment without any fear of prosecution.

Tim Du Feu, director of the Environmental Protection Team, said: “We’re pleased that people are being responsible and handing in out of date or banned chemicals. We were recently asked to help dispose of three batches of commercial herbicide found by an Island resident on their property and we hope this will encourage more people to do the same. It’s an important aspect of ongoing work by the Department of the Environment to make our water supplies cleaner and safer."  

Lallie Clarke, Cyrena's owner, who hoped that something good would come out of her dog's death, said that people living around the area were still concerned about their pets' safety. She told Express: "I think that the pesticide was used and disposed irresponsibly and would urge anyone who cares about the welfare of dogs, cats and children to act on their conscience and do the right thing by handing in old banned chemicals to be safely disposed. This action will help bring meaning to Cyrena's tragic passing and some degree of closure for me."