Move to educate farmers on use of pesticides

KUCHING: The move by Brunei authorities to ban the import of vegetables from Malaysia, particularly from Sarawak, over the past three months has affected vegetable growers in the state.
A member of the FAMA Board of Directors, Fadillah Yusof, said the ban was believed to be due to the high level of chemicals and pesticides found in vegetables exported by Sarawak to Brunei.
“We will seek the cooperation of the Sarawak Agricultural Department to educate vegetable farmers on the use of pesticides and chemicals,” he said.
This could help lift the ban, he added.
Fadillah said this after launching an upgrading work at the Satok Weekend Market here on Saturday.
Fadillah, who is also Member of Parliament for Petra Jaya, said the sale of jungle fruits and naturally-growing plants from Sarawak were still accepted by Brunei authorities.
He said, besides the import of vegetables from Sarawak, Brunei also imported vegetables from Sabah.
On Aug 28, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the contamination of vegetables in the country was under control and the Health Ministry was monitoring the situation constantly.
He said the ministry would take appropriate action if the level of pesticides found in vegetables exceeded the permissible level under the Food Regulations Act 1985. – Bernama