The Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines has placed an immediate ban on the importation of the chemical substance, Malathion. This chemical is used in many countries in the fogging of mosquitoes. 

The ban on the usage of Malathion would become effective on December 31, 2022. 

In a statement, the Ministry of Agriculture said it and the Ministry of Health are considering alternatives to fogging.  

It states while fogging is an effective strategy currently used in the control of mosquitoes, the usage of Malathion has been highlighted as having a devastating impact on bees, plant pollination, and consequently production and food security.  

Agriculture Minister Saboto Caesar notes that the ban on the importation of Malathion is another success in the government’s quest to create a cleaner and healthier environment.  

SVG for several years has banned all glyphosate importation and aerial spraying application.  

Malathion is an organophosphate insecticide that acts as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.  

This manmade insecticide is commonly used not only to control mosquitoes but also to control a variety of insects that attack fruits, vegetables, landscaping plants, and shrubs.  

The other insecticide used in fogging in SVG is permethrin.  (LOOP)