and Integrated Pest Management - part - usaid

PESTICIDE SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN TIlE
PIILIPPINES
S. A. Cuyson
Vice-President (1986)
Agricultural Pesticide institute of the Philippines
c/o The Shell Chemical Co. (Philippines) Inc., 6781 Ayala Ave.
Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines
While it i, recognized that pesticides arc essential inputs for crop
production, especially in a country like tile Philippines where there is mounting
pressure to increase food production, it is also acknowledged that they present
It is therefore
hazards to man in particular, and to the environment in general.
necessary that certain actions be taken by the pesticide industry, in cooperation
with the government and all those involved in the pesticide trade, including
users, to reduce to a minimum and, if possible, eliminate the risks involved in
It is, after all, reasonably
the manufacture, distribution, and use of pesticides.
possible to safeguard all operating exposures which may result in poisoning or
that the local pesticide industry, individually and
injuries. It is for this reason
and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
collectively, has adopted the Food
International Code of Conduct on the distribution and use of pesticides.
In the past, the industry had adopted safety campaigns like the use of
informative posters andlthe training of government extension staff and farmer
leaders, but these have not been (lone in a unified and sustained manner. In fact,
way, conducted safety
many of the pesticide companies have, in their own
to be done. We, in the industry,
campaigns. But much more remains are
this to be really effective, it must
convinced that for a safety campaign such as
be done as a collective effort and on a continuing basis with total commitment
from all those concerned.
APIP SAFETY COMMITTEE
To address the issue at hand, a safety committee was organized within the
The immediate
Agricultural Pesticide Institute of the Philippines (APIP).
objective of this committee was to draw up a comprehensive program of safety
which would encompass all aspects of the physical distribution and use of
pesticides, namely,
1) manufacturing and formulation,
2) transport, storage and distribution,
3) end-users (plantations and small farmers),
4) pesticide applicators, and
5) medical/occupational health.