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Pretoria - Following the 8 May Terbufos prohibition notice, Grain SA calls for a science-based approach that protects people and the environment without undermining grain production and food security.
After the publication of a Government Gazette notice prohibiting the sale, acquisition, use and disposal of agricultural remedies containing Terbufos, Grain SA says the national debate on crop protection must now move beyond a simple “ban or defend” discussion and focus on how South Africa protects people, crops and food security through responsible, science-based regulation.
The prohibition follows the 2024 Soweto child deaths and wider public concern about pesticide misuse, which have placed Terbufos and agricultural remedies under intense public scrutiny. Recent media coverage has linked the Gazette notice directly to these tragedies and to broader concerns around illegal and unsafe pesticide handling.
Grain SA recognises the seriousness of these concerns. The tragic loss of life linked to pesticide exposure, especially where children are involved, is completely unacceptable. Protecting people, workers, communities and the environment is non-negotiable.
At the same time, Grain SA believes the current moment requires a balanced and evidence-based conversation that clearly distinguishes between illegal misuse and the regulated, responsible use of registered agricultural remedies in commercial food production. Grain producers rely on crop protection products not casually, but as part of controlled production systems designed to protect crops, maintain yields and support national food security.
Crop protection remains a critical part of sustainable grain production in South Africa. In maize and oilseed production, soil-borne pests and nematodes can cause significant damage, especially under dryland conditions where producers already face climate variability, high input costs and unpredictable production risk. Grain SA’s position is clear: producers are custodians of the land and responsible users of agricultural technology - not reckless users of chemicals.
In its formal submission to the Registrar regarding the Terbufos prohibition notice, Grain SA raised concern that immediate prohibition, without scientifically validated and economically viable alternatives, creates serious production and food security risks. Terbufos is currently used on nearly 274 000 hectares of maize, with annual use of approximately 2 000 tons at an average cost of R417 per hectare. Grain SA’s analysis showed that switching to available alternatives could increase annual costs from approximately R114 million to between R258 million and more than R750 million, depending on the substitute product used.
These are not abstract numbers. Higher crop protection costs directly affect producer margins, especially for small and medium-scale producers. When essential inputs become unaffordable or less effective, production risk increases. Over time, this can affect local supply, food affordability and South Africa’s ability to produce staple foods competitively and economically viable.
Grain SA believes regulation must be based on evidence, not ideology. South Africa needs a regulatory system that protects people and the environment while also recognising local production realities. This means that agricultural remedies should only be phased out where risks cannot be managed and where safer, affordable and effective alternatives are available for the relevant crops, pests and production systems. In the case of Terbufos, Grain SA has argued that these conditions have not yet been fully met. The risk did not occur in an agriculture environment but more within the informal sector. Removing the remedies from agricultural use do not remove the risk of illegal imports and illegal uses within non agricultural markets.
The organisation is not calling for a weakening of safety measures. On the contrary, Grain SA supports a stronger risk-mitigation and stewardship framework. This should include mandatory certified training for applicators and farm workers, tighter licensing requirements for distributors and users, compulsory recordkeeping for sales and on-farm use, improved storage and transport protocols, strengthened personal protective equipment standards, and regular compliance audits.
Responsibility must start on-farm. Producers have a duty to ensure that all agricultural remedies are stored securely, handled only by trained individuals, applied strictly according to label instructions, and kept away from households, children, animals, water sources and unauthorised users. Worker safety must be central to every crop protection decision. This includes proper training, access to PPE, clear handling procedures, emergency response awareness and responsible disposal of empty containers and unused products.
“Producers are custodians of the land and responsible users of agricultural technology. Crop protection must be regulated responsibly, but regulation must also be grounded in science, local realities and food security,” Corné Louw, Head of Applied Economics & Member Services at Grain SA stated.
Grain SA also supports stronger enforcement against counterfeit products, illegal trade and non-agricultural misuse. These practices endanger communities and undermine responsible producers who comply with the law. Public health risks cannot be solved by placing the burden only on compliant farmers while illegal and informal channels remain inadequately controlled.
The broader agricultural sector has already recognised the need for a collective response. Grain SA is part of the Industry Campaigns Working Group, which is actively engaging behind the scenes to support a coordinated, responsible and science-based industry response to agricultural pesticide and herbicide use in South Africa. The working group’s communication strategy aims to build public trust, counter misinformation, support evidence-based policymaking, protect access to essential crop protection tools and reinforce agriculture’s contribution to food security, employment and economic stability.
This collective work is important because the debate is bigger than one product. It is about how South Africa talks about crop protection, regulation, food affordability, worker safety and environmental care. A simplistic “ban or defend” debate does not serve the country. South Africa needs a more mature conversation that recognises risks, addresses misuse, supports safer practices and ensures that producers are not left without practical tools to protect crops.
Grain SA remains committed to responsible crop protection, sustainable production and the continuous improvement of farming practices. The organisation supports innovation, biologics, alternatives and integrated pest management, but these solutions must be technically proven, locally relevant and economically accessible. Alternatives can complement existing tools, but they cannot simply be assumed to replace them overnight in all production systems.
Responsible crop protection supports food security, livelihoods and environmental care. It allows producers to protect yield, reduce unnecessary crop losses and continue producing staple foods under difficult South African conditions. The way forward must therefore be guided by science, stewardship and practical implementation - not fear, misinformation or sudden regulatory shifts that create unintended consequences for producers and consumers alike.
Grain SA will continue to engage government, industry partners, researchers and producers to promote safe, responsible and lawful use of agricultural remedies, while advocating for a regulatory environment that protects people, the environment and South Africa’s ability to produce food.
Ends
Issued by: Grain SA Communications
Further enquiries:
Corné Louw, Head: Applied Economics & Member Services, Grain SA
corne@grainsa.co.za