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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.