Sana'a: The Ministry of Agriculture has addressed recent social media claims regarding the pesticide 'methyl bromide', describing them as exaggerated and aimed at inducing public fear. A source at the Ministry clarified that methyl bromide is exclusively utilized on soil without crops, akin to fumigants used for grain storage, ensuring it does not affect any harvested produce.
According to Yemen News Agency, the Ministry emphasized that the misinformation circulating in the media is intended to mislead the public and erode trust. In response, the Ministry is advocating for security measures against individuals spreading these false claims.
The Ministry further explained that methyl bromide is employed to control nematode infestations specifically in greenhouse soils. It is applied solely in empty greenhouses under stringent safety protocols, and its use dates back to the 1990s in Sa'ada and other provinces, where it has been safely utilized.