Comments on: U.S. will support Costa Rica in use of reduced-risk pesticides

By: mhogan

mhogan — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 22:05:00 +0000

It surprises me that no one is talking about banning Dihydrogen Monoxide. This toxic substance is often used in the distribution of pesticides. Even after washing, produce remains contaminated by this chemical. Even the environmentalists so concerned with CO2 emissions should realize the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide since it contributes to the “greenhouse effect”. Even scientists at AyA are realizing their pipes are reaching critical mass of this substance, yet they are doing absolutely nothing about it. Seems to me Lady Laura is missing out on a great opportunity for revenue if the government could devise a tax, much like the carbon emission tax, to regulate the use of this chemical. Wait! I think it’s already in the works. Good show, Costa Rica!

By: Fernando Gerdano

Fernando Gerdano — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 19:38:00 +0000

Costa Rica the # 1 country in the world in use of pesticides and also one of highest stomach cancer rates in the world hummmm.

There is also no organic food here at all for all the fresh food lovers. Unless you believe the one farmer at the feria with a little cardboard sign that says “Organico” and is charging more than the others. I believe that like the guy in Nigeria is going to share that $20 million settlement he has with me. Pura vida.

By: John Dungan

John Dungan — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 14:46:00 +0000

Interesting. On the one hand, I do not agree with those who are now claiming that somehow the U. S. is to blame for Costa Rica’s increased use of pesticide, and on the other, would not the logical way to effect this change to ‘safe’ pesticides involve a simple identification of those that are deemed to be harmful, and then a ban on them?

By: jdennisg

jdennisg — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 12:19:00 +0000

And exactly which pesticides are proven “to be safe for fish, wildlife, and birds, and should have little or no impact on surface or subsurface waters?” What, are these folk nuts? NONE of them meet these qualifications.

By: Fhuh Kew

Fhuh Kew — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 10:56:00 +0000

That’s like asking Satan for spiritual advice.

By: expatin paradise

expatin paradise — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 19:00:00 +0000

The worst polluters here are the US-based mega-farmers. If Costa Rica is to get advice from any entity, it shouldn’t be the USDA, pimp to Monsanto, Dow, and friends. The standards cited, that “pesticides should prove to be safe for fish, wildlife, and birds, and
should have little or no impact on surface or subsurface waters, and
should have minimal adverse effects on beneficial insects”, do not apply to US agricultural practices where pesticide and herbicide use has multiplied several times in the past couple of decades.

By: disqus_r8w0IwvvLw

disqus_r8w0IwvvLw — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 17:40:00 +0000

“IR-4… works with land-grant researchers and EPA to
make sure specialty crops get at least some sort of access to those
pesticides. An IR-4 trial, for example, will study an existing pesticide
to see if it works on a certain specialty crop. The data goes to EPA,
which decides if the pesticide should be registered for use on that
crop.”
USING COSTA RICA AS AN EXPERIMENTAL AREA BECAUSE funding for this IR-4 has a BIG chance of having 30% of its funding cut by usa government!! Do they then sell the food to Ticos to eat?? How about using organic and biodynamic methods? The younger generation here is getting wise to this nonsense and there is an organic movement on the rise luckily!

By: mhogan

mhogan — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 17:39:00 +0000

How about instead of changing to “reduced-risk” pesticides, how about taking action against people who indiscriminately over-use ANY pesticides PUNTO!! Probably those who fall into this category are below the mental level of understanding the consequences of over-use — maybe their brains are wiped out from the practice itself. Something’s gotta account for those idiots who think more is better, don’t know what 50:1 means or can’t be bothered, who wave their insecticide/herbicide pump handle around like it’s an extension of their manhood — the bigger the better , ditto for how much they spray; wear no protection and could care less for animals grazing nearby. I see these idiots all the time in rural areas– have lost animals and now have reduced flocks of birds to help take care of the insect population. MAG is useless!