Goodbye Ma’am p a g e 6 > > Laugh a minute p a g e 2 1 > > Sport teaser in here over a cou- ple of decks p a g e x x > > Thursday December 15 2011 KAREN WATKINS A Constantia family is afraid for their health after seeing plumes of pesticide drift in the vineyards across the road from their home. Nigel and Zdenka Sutcliffe and their two small daughters live in Spilhaus Avenue. They have lived there for four years buying the house for its rural position. And while they realise that the vines must be sprayed they are concerned for their health. They contacted the Bulletin when they could not find out who owns the farm. They wanted to enquire what chemicals were being used and if they have any side-effects. Mr Sutcliffe said he was clean- ing his swimming pool one evening when he felt a burning sensation in his throat and began sneezing and coughing. On hearing the tractors and being aware of them spraying the vines he was suspicious of the chemicals and went inside and closed the windows. That night he had a huge headache which he said is uncharacteristic for him. The following day, returning home, Mrs Sutcliffe said she could smell a strong gas-like smell, even with the windows closed. “I don’t mind if it’s stinky as long as it’s safe,” said Mrs Sutcliffe. The smell was so strong that she could smell it inside the house, even though the windows were closed. From an upstairs window she saw a huge white fog, like snow. The “fog” was coming from the tractors and they were once again spraying the vines. On investigation, the Bulletin found the farm is Glendirk and belongs to the Menell family (“City to allow limited develop- ment on Glendirk Farm”, Bulletin November 10). The land is leased to Buitenverwachting. When asked what sprays are used, general manager of Buitenverwachting, Lars Maack, was not sure, only saying they use sulphur and copper sprays, mixed with water. These two components are allowed for organic farmers. Buitenverwachting uses pred- ator insects such as wasps and Spraydrift headache A Constantia family is concerned about the effects of pesticide coming from the nearby vineyards. But the farm says they adhere to international standards. C o n t i n u e d o n p a g e 3 ■ Plumes of spray cover the ridge between Constantia and Bishop’s Court.

a Spray Drift Page 1

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Residents of Constantia hit by spray drift

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Goodbye Ma’am page 6 >>

Laugh a minute page21 >>

Sport teaser in

here over a cou-

ple of decks

page xx >>

Thursday December 15 2011

KAREN WATKINS

AConstantia family is afraidfor their health after seeingplumes of pesticide drift in

the vineyards across the road fromtheir home.

Nigel and Zdenka Sutcliffe andtheir two small daughters live inSpilhaus Avenue. They have livedthere for four years buying thehouse for its rural position. Andwhile they realise that the vinesmust be sprayed they are con-cerned for their health.

They contacted the Bulletinwhen they could not find out whoowns the farm. They wanted toenquire what chemicals werebeing used and if they have anyside-effects.

Mr Sutcliffe said he was clean-ing his swimming pool oneevening when he felt a burningsensation in his throat and begansneezing and coughing.

On hearing the tractors andbeing aware of them spraying thevines he was suspicious of thechemicals and went inside andclosed the windows. That night hehad a huge headache which hesaid is uncharacteristic for him.

The following day, returninghome, Mrs Sutcliffe said she couldsmell a strong gas-like smell, evenwith the windows closed. “I don’tmind if it’s stinky as long as it’ssafe,” said Mrs Sutcliffe.

The smell was so strong thatshe could smell it inside thehouse, even though the windowswere closed. From an upstairswindow she saw a huge white fog,like snow. The “fog” was comingfrom the tractors and they wereonce again spraying the vines.

On investigation, the Bulletinfound the farm is Glendirk andbelongs to the Menell family(“City to allow limited develop-ment on Glendirk Farm”, BulletinNovember 10). The land is leasedto Buitenverwachting.

When asked what sprays areused, general manager ofBuitenverwachting, Lars Maack,was not sure, only saying theyuse sulphur and copper sprays,mixed with water. These twocomponents are allowed fororganic farmers.

Buitenverwachting uses pred-ator insects such as wasps and

Spraydrift headacheA Constantia family is concerned about the effects ofpesticide coming from the nearby vineyards. But thefarm says they adhere to international standards.

Continued on page 3

■ Plumesof spraycover theridgebetweenConstantiaandBishop’sCourt.