Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
7
A Latin American perspective:
the environmental impact of
farming wheat and rice treated
with carbofuran and Rhodamine B
on Brazilian wild birds
Alexandre de Almeida
1
and Álvaro Fernando de Almeida
2
1
Professor of the Department of Environmental Resources of the National Service
of Industry (SENAI - CETIND), Lauro de Freitas, Bahia
2
Senior Professor of the Department of Forestry Science of the Superior School
of Agriculture 'Luiz de Queiroz', University of São Paulo (ESALQ - USP),
Piracicaba, São Paulo
7.1 Introduction
Very few species of bird or mammal have ever caused multi-million dollar losses to the agricultural
industry (Dolbeer 1999; Tobin 2002). However, to guarantee generous agricultural output, the large
scale use of biocides has resulted in signifi cant mortality among dozens of species of wildlife around
agricultural sites (see Flickinger, King Stout et al. 1980; Eisler 1985; Cox 1991; Mineau 1993;
Mineau, Fletcher, Glaser et al.
1999; McKay, Prosser, Hart et al. 1999; Vickery, Carter and Fuller
2002; Mineau 2005; Mineau, Downes, Kirk et al. 2005, American Bird Conservancy 2005). Many
species found in agricultural areas do not pose a threat to crops, and one of the greatest challenges
for pest and weed control technology lies in minimising adverse impacts to benefi cial species, which
can in turn help to regulate pest organisms in our farming areas and adjacent habitats.
Unfortunately, in Brazil (and in South America generally), very little scientifi c research has been
carried out on the environmental impact caused by agrotoxins to wild fauna. The public is also
poorly informed about this matter, probably because farmers and agrochemical companies are secre-
tive about incidents and accidents. Government agencies responsible for wildlife conservation have
also failed to invest suffi ciently in vigilance and data collection, and do not disseminate the scarce
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