Stop Wildlife Poisoning

The Team

Mocap

Category: Uncategorized | Date: Apr 30 2008 | By: admin

Hi, this is Ngaio. I had a quick sift around to get more information on Mocap, more specifically on ethoprop, its ingredient. Incidentally, if you’re ever curious about pesticides or other compounds and you find yourself confronted by a page full of numbers, letters and chemical formulas (which can be a bit overwhelming!), here are a few things to bear in mind:

‘Use type’ indicates the target pest species. The CAS number is an identity number of sorts and if you use it as a key word a lot of regulatory and safety information is likely to come up. The chemical class will give you insight into the compound’s properties, likely structure, and mode of action — basically, how it kills or otherwise does its thing. For example, carbofuran is a carbamate, ethoprop is an organophosphorus, DDT is an organochlorine compound. The commercial name is the one the compound is sold under (Furadan), the main active ingredient is usually in brackets (carbofuran). And formulations are the different forms the compound is sold as: liquid, powder, granular…

From what I found on the American Bird Conservancy web site, ethoprop is very persistant in waterways and has been associated with a few incidences of fish kills. If this is the case this wouldn’t help the hippos very much! It is believed to have associated mammalian and avian toxicity, with a potential for bioaccumulation in tissues. It also has associated human health risks.

Now, more specific toxicity information is needed here to judge whether or not Mocap could be a suitable replacement. But safety testing is usually carried out on species that do well in the laboratory and are unlikely to ever be exposed in the agricultural environment. That’s part of the reason it was such a surprise when diclofenac was implicated in the Gyps vulture mortality on the Indian subcontinent. I’ll cast around to see whether tests have been carried out on token Africa species for ethoprop…

Do we need to suggest a replacement for Furadan? How vital is it to the local economy and to farming practices? Is it irresponsable, unfair not to suggest an alternative? What do you think?

13 Responses to “Mocap”

Dipesh Pabari, on 01 May 2008

Asian Vulture populations declining faster than the dodo:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/apr/30/endangeredspecies.wildlife

Dipesh Pabari, on 01 May 2008

It’s going to take a lot more than just banning to stop the use of poisons against wildlife…

sauwah, on 01 May 2008

a replacement, cheap and easy to use replacement is a must for the sake of not only wild animals, for the humans too! but how? what financial support and incentive for such action or project? or is there any model for you to follow like countries that have successfully replace this poison with others ( cheap and easy ).

Theresa Siskind St Petersburg FL, on 01 May 2008

We have been pushing for the companies who make antifreeze, to add an additive that would make the taste repugnant to animals. At the very least, these pesticide manufacturers, should do the same. I realize this won’t help fish and some bird species, but it might be a step in the right direction.

Theresa Siskind St Petersburg FL, on 02 May 2008

I did some research…besides organic pesticides, which can be toxic to animals despite being natural, there is a more promising group, called biopesticides. Biopesticides are safer for the environment because they suppress or prevent pests, in the first place. They focus on a specific action rather then a broad one that wipes everything out. They persist for less time in the environment, and leave little to no residue, behind. There are two groups of biopesticides: biochemical, such as insect pheromes and microbial, such as fungi or bacteria. Another fascinating and promising avenue, is the use of beneficial insects, in pest control, the Lady Bug is a good example, they eat harmful aphids and mites. The use of Earthworms is also very benficial, as it enriches the soil, making healthy crops and plants. I hope this is helpful!

Sukuma Kenya, on 02 May 2008

National Geographic have covered the story:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/080502-poisoned-lions.html

Colleen, on 03 May 2008

Thanks for all your research on this, Ngaio and Theresa.
I’d like to put out fair trade as a possible way to get rid of agribusiness chemicals/poisons.
Fair trade not only provides fair conditions and prices for farmers and includes gender equality but it has strict policies around environmental issues , i.e., Environmental sustainability: Harmful agrochemicals and GMOs are strictly prohibited in favor of environmentally sustainable farming methods that protect farmers’ health and preserve valuable ecosystems for future generations.
The list below is from the Transfair.org site in Canada which lists all the certified organizations in each country and I’ve put Kenya’s at the end here.. I did read earlier that furodan is used in many coffee operations in Kenya but it wouldn’t be permitted in a fair trade operation.
Meanwhile if you want to see how fair trade works for farmers, here is a video on fair trade cotton in Cameroon. S
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zufkw6xiskE
So it’s a win win for people, wildlife and the environment.

here are the certified folks in Kenya from the transfair link
Coffee
Kenya Sasini Limited (Trader)
Kenya Mathira Coffee Mills (Trader)
Kenya Sangana Commodities (K) Ltd (Trader)
Kenya THIKA COFFEE MILLS Ltd (Trader)
Kenya DORMAN LTD (Trader)
Kenya Kaliluni Farmers Coop Society Ltd (Producer)
Kenya Socfinaf Co. Ltd. (Trader)
Kenya Gikanda Farmers Cooperative Society (Producer)
Kenya Rumukia Cooperative Society (Producer)

Tea
Kenya Lindop & Co Ltd (Trader)
Kenya JAMES FINLAY (MOMBASA) (Trader)
Kenya James Finlay Ltd., FTS Saosa and Mara Mara Factories (Trader)
Kenya Gold Crown Foods (EPZ) Limited (Trader)
Kenya James Finlay (Kenya) Limited, Kitumbe (Producer)
Kenya Kibwari Limited (Trader)
Kenya Chinga Tea Factory Company Ltd (Producer)
Kenya EPK Outgrower Empowerment Project (Producer)
Kenya Eastern Produce Kenya Ltd. (Trader)
Kenya Gacharage Tea Factory Company Ltd (Producer)
Kenya Imenti Tea Factory Company Ltd (Producer)
Kenya Rukuriri Tea Factory Company Ltd (Producer)
Kenya Ndima Tea Factory Company Ltd (Producer)
Kenya Iriaini Tea Factory Company Ltd (Producer)
Kenya Makomboki Tea Factory Company Ltd (Producer)
Kenya Kanyenya-ini Tea Factory Company Ltd (Producer)
Kenya Siret Tea company Limited (Trader)
Kenya Michimikuru Tea Company LTD (Producer)
Kenya Kapchorua Tea Co Ltd (Producer)
Kenya Kaimosi Tea Estate (Producer)
Kenya Tinderet Tea Estate (Producer)
Kenya Changoi and Lelsa Tea Estate (Producer)
Kenya Kenya Tea Development Agency Ltd. (Trader)

Flowers and Plants
Kenya The Flower Hub (Trader)
Kenya East African Growers: Mahee Farm (Producer)
Kenya Flower Processing Kenya Ltd. (Trader)
Kenya Lemotit Farm (Producer)
Kenya Homegrown Kenya Ltd. (Producer)
Kenya Tropiflora Ltd (Producer)
Kenya Valentine Growers Co. Ltd (Producer)
Kenya Waridi Limited (Producer)
Kenya Magana Flowers Kenya Ltd (Producer)
Kenya Penta Flowers Ltd (Producer)
Kenya Zena Roses Ltd. - Thika Farm (Producer)
Kenya Panda Flowers Limited (Producer)
Kenya Longonot Horticulture Ltd. (Producer)
Kenya Liki River Farm Ltd (Producer)
Kenya Oserian Development Company LTD (Producer)
Kenya Eldama Ravine Roses (Karen Roses LTD) (Producer)
Kenya Finlay Flowers LTD (Producer)

Sugar
Kenya West Kenya Sugar Company Lmtd (Trader)
Kenya West Kenya Outgrowers’ Co. Ltd (Producer)

Colleen, on 03 May 2008

sorry, here is the correct link for transfair.
transfair.ca/en/node

and some other links
http://www.fairtrade.net/

Transfairusa.
http://www.transfairusa.org/content/about/overview.php

Colleen, on 04 May 2008

Hi Ngaio, in case I didn’t phrase my last comments clearly, what I am suggesting is that you consult with the dozens of fair trade farmers in Kenya (who are supposed to use good environmental practices) and see what they are doing in order to get ideas. They might be helpful.

Theresa Siskind St Petersburg FL, on 05 May 2008

Colleen, wonderful suggestion. Fair trade would solve some very pressing problems. As an interesting sidebar to fair trade policies, is the commodities market in general. Cargill, the world’s largest grain importer, posted a 86% rise in profits this past year. ADM, the second biggest, saw a 67% gain. Fair trade, I think not! These companies are employing harmful practices, to have such profits, collusion with the oil industry and pesticide manufacturers is obvious and most be illegal as well as immoral.

Colleen, on 05 May 2008

Thanks for bringing up those companies Theresa! Cargill is also the notorious factory farmer with all the corn and soy (mostly GMO widely sprayed) going to feed the CAFO animals creating the runoff with waste, industrial fertilizers and pesticides, dead zones plus the untold misery of billions of animals. They are all filth these companies. As is Monsanto who is trying experiments in Kenya.. their potato experiment failed luckily.
It was encouraging to read the post above with the organic farming and Paula’s sister and the project with the dump. Maybe there is hope if Kenya acts now to turn agriculture around if enough of a movement kicks in.

Colleen, on 05 May 2008

whoopsee, I meant by the “post above” the fascinating new piece at Baraza
http://baraza.wildlifedirect.org/2008/05/05/massive-land-conversion-threatens-our-biosphere/

Theresa Siskind St Petersburg FL, on 05 May 2008

That’s ok Colleen, we knew what you meant. I saw today’s Baraza post, fascinating stuff…I will add my comments, tomorrow, when I can devote more time to all the links, Paula, provided.

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