PDF 313 KB - Pesticide Action Network UK

A charity concerned
with the environmental
and health problems
of pesticides
THE
PESTICIDES
TRUST
REVIEW1998
...industry should...
use containers that
are safe (eg not attractive
to or easily opened by
children), particularly
for the more toxic
home use
‘products
International Code of
Conduct on the Distribution
and Use of Pesticides (Amended
version), Food and Agriculture
Organisation of the United
’Nations, 1989
A child plays with a
discarded insecticide
container in Laos,
December 1998
1 Contents
12 Chairperson’s report for the year / Making a difference 4 Pesticides in the UK and EU
14 Local Authority Project and Green Flag Park Awards 5 Pesticides exposure line
16 Pesticides News and information service 7 Pesticide Action Network–partnerships for change
17 Global hazards and sustainable solutions 9 African resources / Obsolete pesticides
10 The cotton project 11 Bhopal action–industrial hazard and human rights / Management / Accounts

THE PESTICIDES TRUST
Chairperson’s Report
for 1998
Making a difference
The past year has brought significant developments in
the struggle to control hazardous chemicals and the
excesses of free trade.
The Rotterdam Convention made the Prior Informed
Consent process (PIC) legally binding, giving governments
the right to ensure hazardous chemicals are not
imported into their country and requiring exporters not
to export them. Negotiations began for a Convention to
phase out Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) – many
of which are pesticides.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD) and the UN Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO) established links to promote a new
vision of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) between
countries of the North and South – FAO has already pioneered
farmer participatory ecological IPM through
farmer field schools.
Environmental, consumer, health, farming and development
groups challenged patenting and called for international
regulation under the Convention on Biodiversity
to keep open access to life forms.
In Europe, including the UK, there was major concern
about genetically engineered crops, their impacts, the
lack of consumer choice and the dictation of the agricultural
agenda by corporations.
In the UK, the long term health effects of particular
pesticides was at last recognised by the joint report
Organophosphate sheep dip from the Royal College of
Physicians and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. The
Joint Nature Conservation Committee highlighted the
accumulated research evidence of dramatic declines in
farmland birds mainly attributed to the indirect impacts
of pesticides. A significant and welcome development
in the UK, partly resulting from concerns over pesticides,
health and genetically engineered crops, has
been a dramatic increase in organic food sales and
farm conversion.
We in the Pesticides Trust with others now have the
chance within reform of the Common Agricultural Policy
(CAP), trade negotiations, and advice and aid packages
to press for genuine ecological agriculture and
organic production. There have been positive steps to
eliminating the hazards of pesticides during
1998, but there is still a great deal to do.
Joy Greenall Earthcare Consultancy
The Pesticides Trust promotes healthy food,
agriculture and a sustainable, safe environment
to provide food and meet public health
needs without dependence on toxic chemicals.
We work for the elimination of pesticide
hazards, and promote policies and practices
which minimise exposure of workers, consumers
and communities to pesticides. The
sustainable alternatives we propose are based
on farmer and community participation and on
knowledge of ecological agriculture. The aim is
to grow safe and nutritious food, and support
farming and rural communities to become
independent of the pesticide treadmill. The
Pesticides Trust is an independent charity. We
work nationally and internationally with likeminded
groups and individuals concerned with
health, environment and development to:
● Eliminate the hazards of pesticides
● Reduce dependence on pesticides
● Promote sustainable and ecological
alternatives to chemical pest control
Strategies for change
Information
In our journal, Pesticides News, and in briefing
papers, reports and books we publish unique
and independent information on pesticides.
Users of these resources include governments
and decision-makers, researchers, farmers,
trade unions, public interest groups, those
affected by pesticides, the media, academics,
educational bodies and the general public.
Support for field work
In partnership with public interest groups in
developing countries, the Trust supports pilot
projects to demonstrate the viability of
conversion to organic systems as a means of
providing farmers with economically viable,
socially acceptable and environmentally sound
livelihoods.
Networking and capacity building
The Trust is part of a world-wide coalition, the
Pesticide Action Network (PAN). We work
closely with PAN partners on joint projects
and develop capacity to participate effectively
in national and international initiatives which
strengthen pesticide controls and promote
sustainable alternatives.
2

Peter Beaumont
Development
Director
Barbara Dinham
Programme
Director
David Buffin Mark Davis
Editor, Pesticides Project
News and Current Coordinator
Research Monitor
Dorothy Myers
Cotton Project
Coordinator
Alison Craig
Pesticide
Exposure
Support Line
David Allen
Office Manager
Ethan Irungu
Finance Officer
Research
Understanding the cause and effect of pesticide
problems on men and women and on the
environment is a prerequisite for reducing
their hazards. The Trust undertakes and
targets appropriate research.
PoIicy advocacy
The Trust represents pesticide-related
concerns of users, consumers and exposed
communities at national, regional and international
levels to encourage the development
and implementation of progressive policies.
Problems with pesticides
Pesticides are toxic chemicals used to kill or
control pests. Global use is expanding and
new technologies like genetically engineered
seeds are increasing dependence on them.
There is widespread rejection by the public
and some decision-makers of relying on toxic
chemicals for food, health and livelihoods.
Pesticides create problems:
...to health
In developing countries poor working conditions
leave three million farmers and agricultural
workers poisoned and result in 20,000
unintentional deaths a year. Many pesticides
are acutely toxic, others are associated with
cancer, neurological and other chronic effects
and adversely effect the reproductive health of
women and men.
...in the environment
Pesticides are the only chemicals designed to
be toxic and deliberately introduced to the
environment. Some pesticides persist for
decades leaving residues in soil, water and air.
Toxic chemicals have unintended impacts,
killing fish, birds and beneficial insects.
... in food and water
The long term and cumulative residues of
pesticides in food concern consumers. One
tablespoonful of concentrated pesticide could
pollute the water supply of 200,000 people for
a day. Misuse during application can lead to
illness or death. Pesticide use linked to monoculture
can undermine rather than enhance
food security, particularly in efficient small
scale farming systems in developing countries.
... to agriculture
The rapid expansion of new technologies like
genetic engineering is locking farmers further
into pesticide use. Crops protected by seed
patents prevent farmers from saving seeds
and undermines sustainable rural livelihoods in
developing countries. Once on the pesticide
treadmill it is difficult to revert to organic or
ecological agricultural systems without training
and some financial support. Ten companies
now control over 80% of the US$32 billion
global pesticide market, creating an influential
lobby for chemicals, often at the expense of
sustainable solutions.
... to the national, local and
household economy
The high cost of pesticides causes economic
problems for many women and men farmers,
especially in developing countries.
Sustainable rural livelihoods need systems
which build on local inputs. Leaking stocks of
highly hazardous and obsolete pesticides
threaten many community resources in developing
countries and the cost of disposal is
enormous. Uncounted costs include removing
residues from water, health costs of treating
affected individuals and poor health affecting
capacity to work.
Project
portfolio
National and Europe
Exposure line supports pesticide victims
Green Flag Park Awards
sets new standards for public parks
Local Authority Project supports councils
in eliminating pesticide hazards
Farmer information provides decision
guidance on pesticides for users
PAN Europe
building a voice in the EU, the largest
pesticide user and exporter in the world
International
Feeding the world without poisons promotes
sustainable agriculture and food security
Organic cotton
supports small scale African farming
communities producing organic cotton
Obsolete pesticides identifies urgent action
Enforceable regulation improves
global chemical management
African resources establishes and equips
centres to help farmers and regulators
3

NATIONAL PROJECTS
Pesticides in
the UK and EU
Local Authority Project
and Green Flag Park
Awards
Proud winners of
The Green Flag Park
Awards 1998-99
Dramatic results from new research by the
Joint Nature Conservation Committee this year
showed that over the last 10–20 years, bird
populations have crashed as a result of the
indirect effects of pesticides. Public attention
focused on the costs of pesticides as a result.
This year has also seen the start of Common
Agricultural Policy (CAP) renegotiation, and we
hope that farmers will eventually be paid for
the way they farm instead of for how much
they produce. Access to information and
representation in decision-making is important
for consumers and for users of pesticides. The
anger about genetically modified crops shows
what can happen when one agrochemical corporation,
Monsanto in this instance, ignores
these concerns. Throughout the year the Trust
has been taking up consumer concerns on the
Pesticides Forum, the joint Ministry of
Agriculture Fisheries and Food and
Department of Environment, Transport and the
Regions body set up to discuss pesticides
minimisation. We also sit on the Working Party
on Pesticides Residues (WPPR), and the
Biocides Usage Group (BUG).
Reducing pesticide use in Europe
Agricultural policy under the CAP promotes
intensive pesticide use, but environmental
policy in Europe wants to reduce the pollution
caused by pesticides. The Trust was one of the
few public interest groups to attend the European
Commission’s workshops to debate these
issues, and argued for greater attention to be
paid to the non-target effects of pesticides and
the direct and indirect costs of pesticides use.
The Commission will be publishing new
proposals early in 1999.
The Local Authorities Project aims to help
organisations review their current pest control
strategies – be it in gardens, playing fields,
environmental health, timber treatment, road
verges or elsewhere – and develop policies
and strategies to encourage a flexible and
innovative approach to the management of
pest problems. The Trust has worked with 25
councils since 1993. The latest, the London
Borough of Brent joined in June 1998 and has
just completed an audit of their pest control
practices and pesticide use in order to evaluate
appropriate reduction strategies.
The fourth Local Authority Project workshop,
hosted by the London Borough of Southwark at
the award winning Chumleigh Gardens
Conference Centre on 10 February 1998 was
attended by member councils. Delegates presented
their own achievements and difficulties
encountered in reducing pesticide use. Ideas
and information were exchanged and updates
were given on legislation and policy.
Green Flag Park Awards
Now in its second year, the Green Flag Park
Awards made by the Pesticides Trust, and its
partners in the scheme, has gained momentum
and wider recognition. Croxteth Hall in
Liverpool was the venue in September for presenting
the Green Flag to the sixteen 1998/99
winners. The Award is judged on two major
themes, environmental sustainability and community
involvement. Building on the success of
the awards, and to further improvements in
public parks, the Steering Group decided to
publish a Green Flag Parks Guidance Manual
which will be available in March 1999. With the
management of many parks going through a
period of uncertainty and change, the arrival of
the Green Flag Park Award and its accompanying
Manual provide welcome and positive
goals for the future.
The Green Flag Park Awards have
provided an important and
creative incentive for park providers
and users to reassess the ways in which
these spaces are managed
The Rt Hon Michael Meacher,
Minister for the Environment
4

‘
Pesticides exposure line
to control weeds
Enfys Chapman
’
We have found the
greatest incidence of
pesticide exposure in
the past two years has been
to OP head-lice treatment,
closely followed by accidental
exposure to glyphosate, which
is widely used by farmers and
local authorities
The Pesticides Trust receives hundreds of calls
a year from people who have been exposed to
pesticides and want to know more about them.
The Trust has initiated the Pesticide Exposure
Support Line in response to that need.
‘
PEGS was set up in July 1988 following an article about
pesticides in The Independent. The need was to provide
an understanding ear, reinforced by personal
experience of battling with traumatic events and often
unsympathetic professional attention.
Our intention has been to act as a support group, and to
spread an awareness that, whilst in a perfect world
chemicals might be used safely, in real life incidents do
happen and there can be dire results.
Since it was founded, PEGS has responded to some
eleven thousand enquiries in ten years.
John and I want to thank all PEGS members for your
kind messages after we announced that we had decided
that the time had come for us to retire. The volume of
work was continuing to increase and we felt, as seventyyear-olds,
that we were not really able to give to it the
amount of care and attention it required. We are therefore
very grateful to the Pesticides Trust for agreeing to
take over the work of PEGS.
’
Enfys and John Chapman
Taking over the main functions of PEGS
(Pesticides Exposure Group of Sufferers) in
October, the Trust recruited a new project
officer, Alison Craig, to develop the work.
The adverse effects of pesticides range from
the minimal to complete collapse and inability
to function; and sadly in some cases, suicide.
The people who contact the support line range
from the simply curious, to those who are really
ill, and who are, in some cases, utterly desperate.
The callers may be farmers who have
been spraying or dipping, or, just as likely, their
families. Women and children who are involuntarily
exposed to pesticides by others can
suffer debilitating long-term effects which can
go unnoticed and unrecorded.
Callers may have come into contact with pesticides
in the home, or they may have had
accidents with hazardous garden chemicals.
Exposures are often a rural hazard, but not
exclusively so: inappropriate use of pesticides
by some local authorities can cause problems.
The aims of the project are
● to point people who have had a pesticide
exposure – quite often long-term, low-dose –
in the direction of prompt and sympathetic
medical help
● to provide accurate information about many
hazardous pesticides
● to ensure that pesticide exposure incidents
enter official records
● to accumulate evidence to inform policy
research, encouraging regulators and
decision-makers to deal more effectively with
problems of pesticide exposure
● to support victims, as far as possible, in their
efforts to gain compensation for their injuries
Building on recent work by the Royal Colleges
of Physicians and Psychiatrists on the effects
of long-term low-dose exposure to sheep-dips,
the PEGS project has been an informed point
of contact for dozens of callers since October,
advising on treatment options, and working
with them to develop self-help strategies.
The aim this year is to use the depth of PEGS’
and the Pesticides Trust’s experience to best
effect, and to develop an expert advice service
for exposure sufferers. No statutory agency is
fulfilling this much needed function.
5

NETWORKING AND OUTREACH
Pesticides News and
information service
Pesticides News (PN) and its supplement
Current Research Monitor (CRM) are published
quarterly and circulate world-wide, carrying a
unique health and environmental perspective
on pesticides and sustainable development.
In 1998 PN was mailed to 94 countries, and
overall distribution increased by 10%. We continued
our programme of sending PN free by
doubling the number distributed to interested
NGOs and governments in the South.
During 1998, 50 guest authors together with
Pesticides Trust staff contributed articles to
Pesticides News combining up-to-date news
items with regular features on topical issues.
During the year the public clamour against the
introduction of genetically modified (GM)
organisms continued to gain momentum.
Transnational corporations have enormous
budgets to promote GM, and yet the general
public still rejects this technology, the
implications of which are uncertain. The
agricultural journalist John Madeley took on the
industry position by publishing 12 GM counterclaims
in PN. Iceland, one of the UK’s major
supermarkets, has given GM food a frosty
reception. In an interview for PN, Malcolm
Walker, the company’s chief executive, stated
his anti-GM-food stance, and explained how
he ensures that GM-free food is available in
his shops.
Old technology still raises concerns – BBC
journalist John Harvey reported on the health
problems experienced by grain farmers who
had used the neurotoxic organophosphate
(OP) insecticides to protect against
grain beetles.
Acute ill-health problems continue to persist
among those using pesticides in Third World
countries. We highlighted a report written by
Douglas Murray for the Danish Agency for
International Development on pesticide use in
Guatemala and Nicaragua. It concluded that
many highly hazardous products, such as OP
insecticides, are still regularly imported into
these countries that do not possess adequate
facilities to deal with them.
In other international reports, we cited work
carried out in Vietnam by Steffen Johnsen and
his colleagues on the impact of broad spectrum
insecticides on the natural predators of
pests, questioning whether they are
compatible with integrated pest management
programmes.
‘
Pesticides News enables
me to understand what
impacts pesticides have
on sustainable development
and on the environment
Terefe Klondafrash,
Teppi Coffee Plantation
Development, Ethiopia
’
Library and resources
The Pesticides Trust library is now widely
recognised as a unique source of independent
information on pesticides. We have specialised
in acute and chronic health effects, and the
environmental fate of these chemicals as they
appear in food, water, air and soil. We hold
information on many more issues, eg economic
impacts and sustainable alternatives.
Our research database, which includes all
entries from 42 issues of CRM, enables bibliographic
research listings to be produced by
keyword searching. Gender issues are clearly
earmarked.
A whole range of people and organisations
seek advice and information. Our top five information
requests by subject were: organophosphates;
genetically modified organisms; food
residues; specific active ingredients; and pesticides
used in the home.
We also carried out a survey of those members
of the public, who had used our
information resources during the year. Their
priorities for our work, in descending order,
were – genetically modified organisms, public
education, pesticides in food and water, promoting
alternatives to pesticides and urban
pesticide use.
The Pesticides Trust web page
Developments to the Pesticides Trust web site
in 1998 highlighted our work. Web pages are
used to advertise new Trust publications. A
selection of articles from Pesticides News (15
this year) continue to be published online
along with updates of project work, our publications
list, and a comprehensive page of links
to pesticide groups and resources worldwide.
During the year, the number of ‘hits’ (people
visiting our website) more than doubled in line
with our increased web presence.
6

Pesticide Action Network
Partnerships for change
‘
I am astonished at
the excellence of the
work which you do,
and I suspect that only a
fraction of the people who
should be aware of your
activities actually are
Joe King, retired
civil servant, UK
’
Pesticide Trust’s touring
exhibition stand
Protesters outside
the 5th HCH and
Pesticides forum
meeting campaigning
against lindane
By working with
many groups to
stop pesticide
problems and promoting
sustainable
alternatives we
can achieve
change.
Pesticides Action
Network (PAN) has
a co-ordinating
centre in five
regions: Africa,
Asia, Europe, Latin
America and North
America, which
keeps groups in
close contact with
farmers and others
working at field
level. Globally, PAN coordinates to ensure
information about pesticide problems and sustainable
solutions are widely available, and to
influence decision-makers nationally and internationally.
Established in 1982, PAN links over
300 organisations in 60 countries.
In 1998 the Trust hosted the annual planning
meeting of PAN Regional Co-ordinators at the
Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, taking
in a farm visit to the Prince of Wales’
organic farm.
The international activities of PAN are linked
under the theme Feeding the World Without
Poisons: Supporting Healthy Agriculture, and
every three years PAN holds an international
conference.
The Trust works very closely with the African
region, developing joint programmes and helping
to build national capacity to address
pesticide problems. Our African Resources
project (see page 9), underlines our commitment
to this activity.
Networks for change
Food security, particularly in developing countries,
underpins much of our international programme
and the Trust plays an active role in
the UK Food Group, an alliance of environment,
development, farming, health and consumer
organisations working to ensure that
the agricultural policies of Europe and trade
liberalisation do not undermine food security in
developing countries.
The explosion of genetically engineered crops
is inextricably linked to use of pesticides, promoting
herbicide-resistant seeds and plants
with their own insecticide. The Trust is on the
Board of GRAIN (Genetic Resources Action
International), which campaigns to protect
farmers’ rights to breed seeds and promote
agrobiodiversity.
The Trust is also on the Council of the
Sustainable Agriculture, Food and Environment
(SAFE) Alliance and this year played an active
role in bringing about its merger with the
National Food Alliance, under the new name of
SUSTAIN.
PAN Europe
The Trust and PAN-Germany collaborate as
regional coordinators for Europe, and in 1998
we organised the PAN Europe Conference to
strengthen activities and build better links in
Eastern Europe. Following the conference we
launched a quarterly PAN Europe Circular.
As a direct result of the meeting, PAN Europe
has stepped up its networking in a number of
areas. We wrote an open letter to Environment
Minister and European Members of Parliament
on the EU Water Framework Directive. PAN
members were concerned that pesticides
would remain completely unregulated under
the provisions of the framework proposal.
In September, PAN Europe called for an EUwide
ban on the production and use of the
insecticide lindane, signed by 24 consumer/
environmental/union organisations. The letter
went to the European Commission and all EU
Member State Agriculture, Environment and
Health Ministers.
Accompanying the letter, which was published
in Pesticides News, was a fact sheet citing
information that lindane persists in the environment
and is a possible human carcinogen.
7

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS
Global hazards and
sustainable solutions
‘
Some pesticides are just too
dangerous to be used safely
under the conditions of use
’
in
many developing countries
Prof Hermann Waibel, Pesticides Policy
Project, advisor to the Global IPM Facility
The international programme carries out research, information
gathering and dissemination, influences policy, raises
awareness, builds capacity with NGO partners, and provides
field level support.
Pesticides cross national boundaries through trade, but also
as persistent chemicals contaminating air, water and land.
Their health and environmental impacts cause excessive
damage in developing countries where users lack the training
and resources to use pesticides safely. Many third world governments
lack the necessary resources to monitor and control
pesticide use adequately. The social impact on smallscale
farming communities is profound, and can lead to a
pesticide treadmill of debt, increasing use and lower yields.
The major producers of pesticides are all located in Europe
and the US. The ten companies which control 80% of the
US$32 billion pesticide industry shape the face of agriculture
worldwide. The same companies are now leading the field in
genetically engineered crops and are taking a commanding
interest in seed companies, marketing seeds which resist
their pesticides. Trade liberalisation is opening more markets
for these companies without a corresponding increase in
safety to protect users and communities.
In 1998, our research on the industry analysed the impact
on food security and sustainable agriculture, helping to guide
policy and strategy. Playing an active role in the UK Food
Group enabled us to liaise effectively with a wide range of
development, environment, consumer and farming
organisations.
Regulation of pesticide trade was strengthened in 1998. Prior
informed consent (PIC), which gives importing governments
the right to prohibit imports of certain hazardous pesticides,
will become international law following agreement of the
Rotterdam Convention in September. Our work on PIC dates
from 1989 and the final drafting addressed many of our concerns,
but implementation will provide a challenge.
Negotiations began on a convention to phase out the
production and use of persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
like DDT, and our work focuses on alternatives and on disposal
of the huge obsolete stocks which continue to
contaminate the environment and threaten people’s health.
Our work in promoting sustainable alternatives includes the
organic cotton project, and working for practical and policy
support for participatory approaches to Integrated Pest
Management (IPM), based on farmer field schools. We
encourage NGO input to IPM, and in 1998 provided input to
policy-level meetings. Our consultancy work with the
European Commission has provided a toolbox for desk and
technical officers and delegations to improve chemical
management and promote IPM in sub-Saharan Africa.
Unwelcome gifts–this unidentified pesticide is now part of
Ethiopia’s unwanted pesticide stockpile
Inspecting a drum of obsolete pesticides in Ethiopia
8

African resources
‘ ’
We cannot permit the careless adoption
of the products of science and technology.
When technology endangers life on earth
and oceans... the stakes are too high
Klaus Topfer, Executive Director, UNEP
Obsolete pesticides
Anne Wamuyu, a
farmer in Othaya,
Kenya, pouring
pesticides in a
knapsack sprayer for
application on
vegetable crops
African resources
A major achievement in 1998 was our
successful application to the National Lottery
Charities Board, which raised £300,000 over
three years for PAN partners to establish
pesticide resource centres in Senegal (PAN
Africa), Benin (OBEPAB) and Ghana (the
Ghana Organic Agriculture Network). Working
with the UK institute, Powerful Information, the
grant will be used to establish a programme of
training and public information by our three
African partner organisations. Partners will
raise awareness of pesticide hazards and
tackle the health and environmental problems
by promoting practical alternatives. The programme
is directed towards groups working
with more marginalised and disadvantaged
agricultural communities and involves:
● Setting up an information and documentation
centre to provide reliable, targeted, information
on the health and environmental hazards of
pesticides, and to address a lack of information.
This will include books, journals, and
access to specialist on-line information.
● Training and outreach programmes to disseminate
this information to: farmers,
agricultural extension and rural health workers;
regulators and policy makers; NGOs involved
with the farming communities; the public; and
the media.
● Researching into local farmer practice,
indigenous pest control and yield-enhancing
technologies to increase awareness of, and
credibility for, these strategies.
Obsolete toxic and persistent pesticides continue
to pose a serious threat to health and
the environment in developing countries. Many
of these pesticides which were supplied up to
40 years ago are also classed as persistent
organic pollutants (POPs) and are therefore
contaminating the global environment. Urgent
action is needed to clear these toxic dumps
and implement measures to prevent a
recurrence of the problem. However, at the
current rate of progress it will take 50 years to
clear Africa alone, and much longer to deal
with the global problem of obsolete pesticides.
1998 was a year of intense activity for the
Pesticides Trust in this area. In March we
participated as an NGO delegate and rapporteur
in the third FAO consultation on the prevention
and disposal of obsolete and unwanted
pesticide stocks in Africa and the Near
East. Technical aspects of disposal remain the
greatest problems.
In June we presented a paper at an international
conference in Bilbao of technical
experts on toxic waste management, on the
role of NGOs in international efforts for the
management of obsolete pesticide stocks.
In November we made a presentation on
obsolete pesticide concerns to the Pesticides
Forum of the OECD to raise awareness of the
issue among Member States. We also joined
an expert task force to Ethiopia which has one
of the biggest stockpiles of obsolete pesticides
in the world. We helped to assess the scale of
the problem and develop a proposal for
solutions. We have been active in encouraging
donors to contribute to an operation in
Ethiopia. We also authored guidelines on the
management of small quantities of waste pesticides
and empty containers to be published
in the FAO obsolete pesticides series.
Progress in clearing the developing world of
obsolete pesticides which were sold, donated
or dumped by the developed countries is
painfully slow. We consider it a priority to raise
awareness of this issue and encourage those
who contributed to the creation of the problem
to contribute to its solution. Our expertise in
the area also puts us in a position to monitor
the quality of clean-up operations and assist in
the implementation of effective prevention
measures based on better chemical management
capacity.
9

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS
The Cotton Project
The Cotton Project promotes the conversion of
conventional small-farmer cotton production to
farmer-centred agro-ecological systems in
which pesticide use is reduced or eliminated.
At field level in the South, the project has
focused on supporting organic systems in pilot
projects. The project aims to use knowledge
and experience gained to encourage others to
become involved. At the consumption end of
the cotton chain, it is important to create
awareness about alternative production
systems and to show that they can be both
possible and profitable. Greater consumer
awareness will act as a stimulus to the market
which in turn will create demand at the production
level. Activities during the year
included more intensive involvement in the
Senegal pilot project, increased dialogue with
the potential market for organic cotton in UK
and greater level of collaboration with PAN
groups in Germany and the USA, building
towards more joint activities on organic cotton
in the future. The year was marked by the
completion of the text of the first comprehensive
book on organic cotton for publication
in early 1999, Organic Cotton: from field to
final product.
Farmer support and
extension is crucial in
organic cotton pilot
projects
One of the major benefits
(in India) was that women
were saved hours of time
previously spent hauling water from
3km away for ten applications
by knapsack spraying. Since 60-70%
of Farmer Field Schools group
members in cotton are women
’
Senegal
The Koussanar project in Senegal continues to
be the project in which the Trust is most intensively
involved, with partners ENDA-Pronat.
The number of participating farmers increased
over the first three years of the project to 525
but has stayed stable at around that level in
the fourth season, 1998/9, following the recommendations
of an external evaluation which
took place in mid-1997. The support centre in
Koussanar is developing systems to enable
the local farmers’ organisations to eventually
assume management of the project. Several
tasks have already been transferred to farmers’
unions. Improved data collection and management
with computerisation will allow better
analysis of results including identification of
differences between men and women farmers
in the project. Women’s groups continue to
supply neem powder for control of pests. The
1998/9 crop will be certified organic and
ENDA-Pronat has now assumed the commissioning
and organisation of the organic certification
process. The Koussanar project is
increasingly called upon for visits by other
groups and to provide information based on
accumulated experience.
Benin
The Trust continued to support pilot project
conversion work with two groups about 300 km
from the capital, Cotonou, in partnership with
OBEPAB, a Beninese NGO. Harvesting has
now taken place in the third season. Closer
links have recently been established with pilot
projects in the north of the country with a view
to working together on cenification of the cotton
crops and exchange of experience and
information. Joint training with Senegal and
Zimbabwe is under discussion, drawing on the
experience developed in the pilot projects in
all three countries.
Zimbabwe
The pilot project in the north-east in the
Zambezi Valley is now in its fourth season. The
Trust continued to support the natural pest
control element of the work during 1998. The
1998-9 crop will be certified organic and
ginned, spun and manufactured in Zimbabwe
for export to a British mail-order company.
the benefits of reduced
pesticides were very apparent
‘Agriculture Man Ecology Project, India
10

The Bhopal Gas
Tragedy 1984–?
A report from the
Sambhavna Trust,
Bhopal, India
Bhopal action–
Industrial hazards
and human rights
The fourteenth anniversary of the Bhopal disaster
passed on 3 December 1998. More than
2,500 people died almost instantly, and over
16,000 people have died as a result of health
problems related to their exposures; 50,000
people are still suffering significant long term
health impacts and over 500,000 people filed
injury claims with the Bhopal Compensation
Courts. Union Carbide settled with the Indian
government for $470 million in 1989. The compensation
that has reached survivors works out
at 48p a week. Most can no longer work, or
eke out a meagre living. Many received nothing
at all. Miraculously, in Bhopal, despite all
the death and suffering, people are still struggling
for justice.
The Pesticides Trust supports the Bhopal
Medical Appeal, which raises funds for the
Bhopal People's Health and Documentation
Centre. The Centre was established in 1996 by
Sambhavna Trust and has piloted a neighbourhood
clinic, based on traditional Indian
(ayurvedic) and allopathic medicine, as well as
yoga, massage and diet, to alleviate the health
problems of sufferers. The work at the clinic
has achieved remarkable success, in contrast
to the medical strategies of local hospitals
which hand victims antibiotics and steroids,
looking only at symptoms. The work of the clinic
is now focusing particularly on the problems
of women affected by methyl isocyanate, many
of whom suffer reproductive disorders.
The funds have been largely raised through
the efforts ot Indra Sinha, writer and campaign
organiser who initiated the Bhopal Medical
Appeal, and has now developed an informative
interactive website http://www.bhopal.org/.
A book length annual report from Sambhavna
Trust for 1998 has been published and is available
from the Pesticides Trust.
Management
Board of Directors
David Baldock Director, Institute for European Environment Policy
David Bull Director, Amnesty International
Alan Care Lawyer, Russell Jones Walker & Co, London
Amelia Garman Manager, Community Health & Environment Team
Brighton and Hove Council
Joy Greenall Earthcare Consultancy (formerly Farming and Wildlife
Advisory Group advisor)
Robin Jenkins Genetics Forum
Topsy Jewell Consultant
Ann Link Womens’ Environment Network
Jules Pretty Director, Centre for Environment and Society, University of Essex
Martin Tyler Director of Finance, Christian Aid
Stephanie Williamson Information Officer, CABI Biocides
Advisory Council
Czech Conroy Natural Resources Institute
Nigel Dudley Equilibrium Consultancy (formerly of Earth Resources Research)
Alastair Hay Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Leeds
Peter Hurst International Union of Foodworkers
Sarojini Rengam Director, PAN Asia/Pacific, Malaysia
Gregory Rose International lawyer, Australia
Abou Thiam Director, PAN-Africa, Senegal
Andrew Watterson Lecturer in Health and Safety, Department of Continuing
Professional Studies, DeMontfort University, Leicester
The Pesticides Trust is currently or has recently been supported by:
1970 Trust UK, Chapman Trust UK, Comic Relief UK, The Dinam Charity UK,
Directorate General for Development DGVIII – European Commission,
Directorate General for Environment DGXI – European Commission,
Environmental Action Fund UK, GTZ Germany
Katharine Hamnett Fashions Ltd UK, The Cuthbert Horn Charitable Trust UK
Karl & Olga Koerner Trust UK, Ludensian Foundation UK
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Netherlands, NOVIB Netherlands
Reuben & Elisabeth Rausing Trust UK, The Tides Foundation USA
UK Food Group, UN Food & Agriculture Organisation
The Zephyr Charitable Trust UK
Accounts
Income by activity
£467,941
Interest receivable £1,695
Pesticides News,
publications £29,457
Other income £11,399
Fundraising, publicity £11,770
Management,
administration £20,669
Research, education £39,867
Donations £46,027
Total Expenditure £72,306
Total Income £88,578
Cotton £138,989
International agriculture
and trade £50,056
Green Flag Award £47,275
Gender £9,541
African resources £54,065
PAN-Europe £19,008
Pesticides in Africa £36,956
Pesticide information £7,742
Pesticide exposure support £731
Pesticide disposal £15,000
Total Income £379,363
Expenditure by activity
£460,603
UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS
RESTRICTED
FUNDS
Cotton £146,572
International agriculture
and trade £62,506
Green Flag Award £42,810
Gender £5,295
African resources £39,565
PAN-Europe £9,007
Pesticides in Africa £36,457
Pesticide information £20,354
Pesticide exposure support £10,731
Pesticide disposal £15,000
Total Expenditure £388,297
The Trust’s accounts are prepared by auditors Barcant Beardon in accordance with the
Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting by Charities published by the Charities
Commission. The Trust is a charity and therefore a non-profit organisation. The Trust’s
financial security is enhanced if a small overall reserve can be built up to cushion the effect
of delayed grants and other unforeseen contingencies and to provide limited working
capital. An overall picture is presented above from the Trust’s draft accounts. Full accounts
will be available in due course from the Trust.
11

Pesticides concern us all. The Trust relies on the
support of donors to help us to help others.
These are some of the issues we work on...
The World Health Organisation estimates
three million people are severely poisoned
from pesticides every year
The Trust works to reduce the hazards
from dangerous pesticides.
Pesticides are in food and water, and many
wildlife populations have declined sharply as a
result of the non-target effects of pesticides
The Trust makes the case with
decision-makers for lower-input policies.
Only 3% of the £3 billion spent on farm support
in the UK is currently allocated to environmentally
sensitive farming schemes
The Trust supports farmers to use less pesticides.
Corporate negligence caused the
disaster at the Bhopal pesticide factory
The Trust supports the only clinic currently
giving care to the affected population.
More pesticides are used on cotton than any other crop
The Trust’s organic cotton project helps farmers
make a sustainable living without pesticides.
Genetically modified crops will increase pesticide
use and should not be introduced into the food chain
The Trust believes that food security should not
be compromised by the corporate agenda.
Many people are affected by pesticide exposure or
concerned about acute and chronic effects on health
The Trust seeks improved support for
exposed individuals and communities.
The overselling of unnecessary pesticides to poor
countries has led to waste dumps that are more
dangerous and more expensive to deal with than
the pests were in the first place
The Trust highlights problems and works to
prevent such mistakes happening again.
THE
PESTICIDES
TRUST
Eurolink Centre, 49 Effra Road
London SW2 1BZ
Tel +44 (0)171 274 8895
Fax +44 (0)171 274 9084
Email pesttrust@gn.apc.org
http://www.gn.apc.org/pesticidestrust
Charity no. 327215 Company reg. no. 2036915