Shehayeb to go ahead with the usage of a toxic pesticide despite opposing professional views

The Agriculture Minister Akram Shehayeb reportedly advised his ministry departments to go head for the distribution of some 320 thousand “Abifar” pesticide samples on beekeepers across Lebanon, Al Akhbar daily quoted informed sources as saying. It is to be noted that the pest control drug was banned 4 years ago by Industry Minister Dr. Haj Hassan upon a recommendation by Lebanon Audit Bureau for containing the toxic Amitraz solution that endangers the health of honey consumers. Meanwhile, Zuheir Berro, Consumer Protection Lebanon head, cautioned against the use of such pesticides maintaining that the scientific facts about Amitraz prove its danger both to bees and to humans due to the toxic chemical residues. http://bit.ly/1EX4zTG. Similarly, university professor Abdallah Trabulsi described the substance as poisonous and cancerogenic, however, he pointed out to certain internationally and locally acceptable concentration rates for using the pesticides. Shehayeb has categorically rejected in a press conference held two days ago these opinions. (Al Akhbar, October 7, 2015)