CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
by Ramasiarisolo M.C., Madagascar, April 1999
THEME = ECOLOGY
Urgent action is necessary following the crickets' invasion in the south
In January 1998, the government established a National Committee to Fight Against Crickets (CNLA) charged with the urgent mission of eliminating the crickets. In order to carry out this task more adequately, the CNLA made sure of the support of local groups and the help all the civil and military authorities involved in the fight to eradicate the crickets.
Since then, an emergency committee and Groups For Combatting the Plague (GOLA) have been set up in areas infested by the crickets. The various GOLA units opted mainly for spraying pesticides from the air using helicopters and small planes. Yet in spite of these preventive measures and the enormous cost, carried mostly by the European Union to the tune of some 12 million Euros up to now, the crickets are not completely wiped out. This plague has become for some a real battle, for others, a means of extending ones political influence and for certain, a way of making big money.
In March 1999, the problem was debated on the floor of the House. Members of Parliament wanted the CNLA to explain the situation. According to a Malagasy specialist working with the CNLA, the plague could be controlled as "cricket swarms now cover only 2-3 kms, whereas in the past they could extend to about 40 km". Some Members were not convinced by this technical explanation, and together with their Speaker, went on a guided visit of the area. "All we're concerned is that there are no more crickets", one of them said.
After a report by the National Office for Environment (ONE) on the impact of pesticides, the Ministry of Agriculture forbade the use of Fipronil, which had been used in large quantities against the crickets. The report states the dangerous effects of Fipronil on the environment, on aquaculture and animal husbandry. Worse still was the effect of the chemical composition of this product on the human nervous system.
When the French producers of Fipronil, Rhône-Poulenc, heard about this decision by the Malagasy government, they immediately sent one of their representative, Eric Planchon, to negotiate with the government. Mr.Planchon gave a press conference on 17 March 1999. That Rhône-Poulenc should defend its product is quite understandable - the markets for Fipronil are very important. Sure of the quality and the efficiency of its anti-cricket product, Rhône-Poulenc is none too pleased about the ruling barring their product. It means that Fipronil will be replaced by another pesticide (Décis) produced by their competitor, the German firm, Hoechst. But whatever Mr.Planchon says, the fact remains - the crickets continue to swarm all over the region as far as the north-west coast, to the east and even in some regions of the High Plateau.
In its issue of 18 March 1999, the daily Express of Madagascar gave its reasons why Fipronil, "a good product, vital and essential for fighting the crickets with minimal damage to the environment, has been taken off the list of authorised pesticides and is no longer used. There's corruption in high places - money is changing hands; the so-called experts don't know what they're talking about; there's not been enough research given to the issue; there's an all-out fight going on between the various chemical laboratories". In fact, the Ministry of Agriculture's decision, following the ONE's recommendations, concerns the use of Fipronil on crickets only while they are swarming. According to an ONE official, these recommendations are based on preliminary results observed of the impact of pesticides on the environment. The final results will not be published until June 1999. "But", they say, "it's better to stop the use of Fipronil on crickets, at least while they're swarming".
The treatment of larvae is another problem. According to a Malagasy expert in this field, the crickets could be eradicated within two years by spraying them when they are on the ground. This would be less expensive and more efficient. But a number of those who make decisions "in high places" are unwilling to launch this method.
Hoechst says its products can do the job. So war has broken out between Rhône-Poulenc and Hoechst. It's true the CNLA has been on the look-out for other possible products, but that's just going through the motions.
The FAO which is mainly responsible for all activity in the fight against crickets, is finding itself caught up in the "war of pesticides". While awaiting new products, the control procedures are suspended, and the crickets are spreading further and further afield because of the good weather which encourages their diffusion. Strange to say, things went ahead without asking the advice of donor organisations. Mr.Duraton from the FAO only stated that "there's good points and bad points as far as the environment in concerned when using pesticides." Nevertheless, foreigners who work for the fight against crickets are on to a good thing, financially speaking - some making as much as FF60,000 each month!
Meanwhile, President Ratsiraka is doing his best to conduct a ground-level operation in more than one sense. He's using the occasion to attack the Opposition and to launch political propaganda. And let's not forget that the President's son owns helicopters (where they come from, no one knows) largely used in spraying the crickets when swarming. Some say there's a certain army general in charge of the project, who's been ordered to report directly to the President's son. One wonders who is really responsible for the project, the CNLA or the President?
For those involved in the business of eradicating crickets, tremendous "advantages" covering such ar-eas as the sale of pesticides, the rental of planes and helicopters, receiving exorbitant salaries, financial investment in the "parallel" market, bribery,etc., are available. This means, certain people are in no hurry to do away with the crickets too quickly! Obviously it's the ordinary citizen who is the first to suffer - and the ordinary citizen who will be "requested" by unscrupulous politicians to vote for them when election time comes around.
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CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
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