Int J Environ Sci Nat Res 26(1): IJESNR.MS.ID.556180 (2020) 0032 Remark on Cut-Flower Residue Misuse: The Case of Anano Village, Adami Tullu Jido Kombolcha Woreda, Ethiopia Short Communications Volume 26 Issue 1 - October 2020 DOI: 10.19080/IJESNR.2020.26.556180 Int J Environ Sci Nat Res Copyright © All rights are reserved by Biruk Gobena Biruk Gobena* and Yohannis Fetene Ethiopian Environment & Forest Research Institute, Environmental Pollution Management Research Directorate, Ethiopia Submission: September 04, 2020; Published: October 02, 2020 *Corresponding author: Biruk Gobena, Ethiopian Environment & Forest Research Institute, Environmental Pollution Management Research Directorate, P.O. Box 33042, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Introduction Floriculture is susceptible to pests, weed attacks, and fungal diseases [1]. To control pests and diseases, pesticides (insecticides, fungicides, nematicides, herbicides, growth regulators) are being applied in cut flower industries. According to Tilahun [2] & MoA [3] between 2007 and 2014, flower farms in Ethiopia have imported 96 types of insecticides and nematicides and 105 types of fungicides [4]. Besides, some pesticides that entered the flower industry are found on the WHO negative pesticide list and prohibited/unknown on the European Union Pesticide Database [5]. Cattles can be exposed to pesticides through the water as well as when contaminated feedstuffs like cut flower residues are fed to them. The cut flower residue is unwanted leafs and stems removed from flower farms. It is estimated that up to 500 tons of residues per hectare per year are generated from flower farms. Among these, more than 30% of cut flower farm industries dispose of this green waste (cut flower residue) open field carelessly [2]. Such practice will increase the chance of contaminants to reach the food chain through cattle when it will be utilized as feedstuff. A wide range of organic and inorganic compounds may occur in feedstuffs, including pesticides and heavy metals. Pesticides that may contaminate feeds originate from most of the major groups, including organochlorine, organophosphate, and pyrethroid compounds. Although pesticides are potentially toxic to farm livestock, the primary focus of concern centers on residues in animal products destined for human consumption [6]. Plants grown in farms where pesticides are applied may thus become contaminated and consequently, pesticide residues are transferred to milk when these plants are fed to cows [7]. Several studies in tropical areas showed positive milk samples [8]. Pesticides can cause many types of harmful effects. It can cause acute effects such as nerve, skin, and eye irritation and damage, headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, abdominal pain, and systemic poisoning. Major acute effects can cause respiratory problems, nervous system disorders, and aggravation of pre- existing conditions such as asthma [9]. It can also cause chronic effects like brain cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, mutagenic effects, teratogenic effect, prostate cancer, liver damage, reproductive disorder, damage to hormone- producing glands, neurotoxicity, Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, multiple chemical sensitivity [1,6]. Hence, in this note, the authors have tried to communicate the malpractice of cut flower residue use as feedstuff in Anano Village. Abstract It is believed that cut flower industries use more than 201 types of chemicals to control pests and diseases. About 500 tons of residues per hectare per year are generated from a flower farm. These residues are mainly contaminated unwanted leaf and stem which are disposed of in various ways. The cross-sectional study was performed to assess the cut flower residue use in Adami Tullu and Jido Kombolcha Woreda in May 2019. Data was collected through field observation and interviews. The inhabitants of the Anano village reported that they are using untreated cut flower residues to feed cattle due to scarcity of food, especially during the dry season. And they perceive that it will fatten the cattle and have no side effect. The concerned official should give special focus to solve cattle’s food security problem of the village and create awareness about its possible adverse effect of such practice. Keywords: Control pests; Floriculture; Pesticides; Organochlorine; Organophosphate; Pyrethroid compounds