Health, Safety and Environment - International Labour Organization

Manual 5:PESTICIDES AND HEALTH,SAFETY & THE ENVIRONMENTIPPM can be used by workers and trade unions to avoid use of/exposure totoxic, synthetic pesticides.What is Integrated Production and Pest Management (IPPM)?In the FAO International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use ofPesticides (Revised Version 2003), “Integrated Pest Management meansthe careful consideration of all available pest control techniques andsubsequent integration of appropriate measures that discourage thedevelopment of pest populations and keep pesticides and otherinterventions to levels that are economically justified and reduce orminimise risks to human health and the environment. IPM emphasises thegrowth of a healthy crop with the least possible disruption toagro-ecosystems and encourages natural pest control mechanisms”.Put simply, IPPM, as it is now called, involves training waged agriculturalworkers and farmers to recognise both ' pests' – insects, diseases etc – andthe natural enemies which control them. This includes the importance ofmaintaining the plants, natural habitats and eco-systems on and in whichnatural enemies feed, live and breed. The IUF is working with aninternational agency, the Global IPM Facility, to train agricultural workersin IPPM techniques and to supply them with appropriate technicalinformation. The workers can then use the training and information toinclude IPPM clauses in collective bargaining agreements with employersas alternatives to the use of toxic pesticides. IPPM is better for the workersand managerial staff, and less damaging to the crops.For full details about IPPM, see Fact Sheet 14 in Manual 4.OrganicagricultureIntroductionIn many countries pesticides are an essential, if for many a sometimesunwelcome, part of modern agriculture, horticulture and landmanagement, and even small-scale farming. For a growing number oforganic farmers this is no longer the case. There is increasing interest inthe practice of organic agriculture, farming and gardening worldwide, andgrowing consumer demand for organic produce, often sold at premiumprices. Organic cultivation avoids the use of both soluble nitrate fertiliserand synthetic chemical pesticides. Many farmers are converting to organicagriculture, and there is growing State support in many countries to helpthem move to organic agriculture or less intensive, more sustainableagricultural production methods.Research on conversion from conventional to organic production suggeststhat increasingly organic farming and other types of sustainableagriculture are viable options.National associations of organic farmers and even gardeners have sprungup in many countries. In addition, international networks have beencreated such as, for example, the International Federation of OrganicAgricultural Movements (IFOAM).265 Health, Safety and EnvironmentA Series of Trade Union EducationManuals for Agricultural Workers