Legislation and registration of pesticides for plant protection in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Pesticides used in Zimbabwe are registered in terms of the Pesticide Regulations of 1977, under the provisions of the Fertilizer, Farm Feeds and Remedies Act (Chapter 111) and are placed in Group II or III of the Hazardous Substances and Articles Act (Chapter 322). The pesticides are divided into four classes depending on the basis of their acute oral lethal dosage (LD50) and persistence after application. Green, amber, red and purple triangle pesticides have oral LD50 of greater than 2001, 501-2000, 101-500 and 0,1-100, respectively. By 1991, 268, 103, 85 and 96 formulated pesticides were registered in the green, amber, red and purple triangle categories respectively. The registration of pesticides is done by a Registrar in the Plant Protection Research Institute in collaboration with the Hazardous Substances and Articles Control Board. Protective clothing which is required when handling pesticides range from long-sleeved overalls and rubber gloves u'hen mixing green triangle pesticides to a waterproof jacket and trousers, rubber boots and gloves, face shield or hood and a respirator when handling purple triangle pesticides.