An operation carried out by the Environmental Monitoring and Inspection Team verified the presence of agricultural fumigation machinery near School No. 149 “Manuel Láinez” in the town of Fortuna in San Luis, confirming a violation of current regulations on agrochemical application.
The intervention began after an anonymous complaint was submitted through the official Environment portal’s digital form, prompting the quick response of inspectors in the southern sector of the province. Upon arrival, the agents identified fumigation machinery parked at a private residence, just a few meters from the public educational establishment.
When requesting the relevant legal documentation, both for the machinery’s authorization and the operator’s accreditation as a phytosanitary products applicator, the responsible party admitted to not being registered with the Environmental Secretariat, which constitutes a direct violation of provincial legislation.
Faced with this situation, the immediate removal of the equipment was ordered, as established by Provincial Decree No. 1962, which prohibits the transit and presence of this type of machinery in urban areas, except in exceptional situations with express permission from the municipality or in the absence of alternative routes.
“The use of sprayers in residential areas, without technical control or good practice protocols, poses an environmental and health threat, especially near educational institutions,” warned Alex Simioli, a spokesperson for the Environmental Inspection Area. He also emphasized that phytosanitary products can be highly toxic, so they should never be stored or used near educational spaces.
Current legislation and reporting channels for citizens regarding agrochemical use
In the province of San Luis, the use of pesticides and agrochemicals is regulated by Law IX-0320-2004, which establishes criteria for the manufacturing, transportation, commercialization, storage, and application of these products. Likewise, Law IX-0958-2016 sets minimum distances for spraying with glyphosate and other herbicides, both in rural and urban areas.
The Environmental Secretariat reminds that anyone can report irregularities anonymously and securely through the digital environmental complaints system available on its official website.
