PDF 313 KB - Pesticide Action Network UK

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
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