VEGETABLES (Checks on pesticide levels)

The following question stood in the name of Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon -

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon: To ask the Minister for the Environment whether his Ministry will intensify its checks on vegetables in Singapore to ensure that they are fit for human consumption in view of the death of 26 birds at the Jurong Bird Park caused by the consumption of vegetables containing high levels of pesticides.

Dr Ang Kok Peng (Buona Vista): Question 3, Sir.

The Minister for the Environment (Dr Ahmad Mattar): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the incriminated vegetables that have caused the death of some 26 birds in the Bird Park came from a farm in Lim Chu Kang. The farmer had used an approved pesticide, Methamidophos, but he had disregarded the instructions given to him by the Primary Production Department on how to use this pesticide.

Pressed to supply the vegetables to the Bird Park, he proceeded to harvest the vegetables earlier than normal and therefore too soon after he had applied the pesticide on the vegetables. As a result the pesticide residue was high when the vegetables were delivered to the Park. Incidentally, Sir, this pesticide is toxic to birds if consumed at levels exceeding the allowable limit. As the vegetables were not washed before they were given to the birds, a number of birds died when they consumed the vegetables.

My Ministry takes a serious view of such irresponsible acts. Farmers who disregard proper instructions on the use of pesticides will be prosecuted for selling vegetables with high pesticide residue.

All through last year, Sir, the Ministry has monitored very closely the problem of pesticide residues in vegetables. A total of 10,310 consignments of imported vegetables were tested, of which 2,178 or 21% were found to be unsatisfactory. The vegetables were subsequently destroyed. 13 summonses were also issued to the importers.

Checks were also made on local farms. A total of 463 samples of vegetables were taken from local farms in 1987 and 26 or 5.6% were found to be unsatisfactory. The unsatisfactory vegetables were also destroyed. The errant farmers were warned and taught the proper procedures. Samples were taken on re-inspections and they were found to be satisfactory.

The Ministry therefore considers the present checks on vegetables to be sufficiently intensive. Enforcement actions against recalcitrant farmers will be stepped up. The Ministry will continue to remind members of the public to wash the vegetables before they cook or consume them.

Dr Ang Kok Peng: Sir, may I ask the Minister what is the damage to health caused by ingesting vegetables contaminated with Methamidophos pesticide?

Dr Ahmad Mattar: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, if vegetables containing excessive levels of Methamidophos are consumed, unwashed, the person may exhibit symptoms of food poisoning, for example: vomitting, diarrhoea. He will recover fully upon treatment, without any residual effect of ill-health.