Khobar has found harmful traces of insecticides in vegetables, especially cucumber, sold at the region's markets. Dr. Zaki Al-Awami, Director of the Services Administration at the municipality, said some traces were of banned chemicals, and that they were discovered when samples were examined with an advanced device. He said the Ministry of Agriculture and relevant authorities have taken up the matter to identify the source and take necessary action. Engineer Saad Al-Meqbel, Director of the Ministry of Agriculture's branch in the Eastern Province, said the branch had not received any information from the province's mayoralty about insecticides in cucumber. “All insecticides are harmful and farmers are required to sign conditions of use before the chemicals are handed over to them,” he said. However, “detecting insecticides in products is the municipality inspectors' mission,” he added. He said laboratories should be set up at markets to examine all vegetables before being sold. This would also make it easier to identify and punish those farmers and companies that do not comply with the conditions of using these chemicals. A consumer protection official said insecticide residue in fruit and vegetables can severely harm human beings. If consumed they might cause kidney failure and liver disease, and have other long-term effects. He called on farmers to fear Allah, adding that dangerous insecticide use needs to be stopped for at least 21 days before the crop is harvested.
