Proceedings of the Asia regional workshop on the

microorganism pesticides developed in <strong>the</strong> country are being applied actively. Therefore,
many toxic pesticides including organic mercury or organic chloride pesticides have been out
<strong>of</strong> use in most cases or on a complete basis.
The government is paying big attention to establishing new pesticide industry in <strong>the</strong> country,
as well encouraging <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> different natural substances and microorganism
pesticides.
New pesticide industries are covering both <strong>the</strong> manufacture <strong>of</strong> active ingredients <strong>of</strong> pesticides
and <strong>the</strong> processing industry <strong>of</strong> pesticide products.
D-2. The production, import, distribution and use <strong>of</strong> pesticides in <strong>the</strong> DPRK are performed under
<strong>the</strong> control <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> state, and <strong>the</strong> data for <strong>the</strong>m are reported to <strong>the</strong> relevant governmental
agencies on a regular basis.
D-3. As in o<strong>the</strong>r products, <strong>the</strong> government makes measures for control and supervision necessary
to prevent <strong>the</strong> smuggling and illegal sale <strong>of</strong> pesticide products. There are no big problems for
illegal trade <strong>of</strong> pesticides, at present.
The DPRK government will make its endeavor to ensure <strong>the</strong> safety and effectiveness <strong>of</strong>
pesticide use more thoroughly, by intensifying greater national controls over <strong>the</strong> production,
import, distribution and use <strong>of</strong> all pesticides.
E. Selected standards
E-1. The DPRK government encourages <strong>the</strong> participation <strong>of</strong> all relevant units and, especially,
makes <strong>the</strong> pesticide industries fulfill <strong>the</strong>ir duties in ensuring all qualitive standards <strong>of</strong>
products, namely, exact contents <strong>of</strong> active ingredients, evaluation <strong>of</strong> toxicity, packaging,
labeling and effective application methods, to decrease <strong>the</strong> potential hazard <strong>of</strong> pesticides.
In relation to recent increase <strong>of</strong> pesticides applied, <strong>the</strong> government and pesticide industries
are ensuring <strong>the</strong> effectiveness and safety <strong>of</strong> pesticide products, by examining <strong>the</strong> products
through <strong>the</strong> agencies associated with <strong>the</strong> pesticide management including <strong>the</strong> National
Pesticide Registration and Inspection Agency, preparing and disseminating <strong>the</strong> application
protocols for safe use.
E-2. To keep <strong>the</strong> pace with <strong>the</strong> international effort to phase out toxic pesticides, <strong>the</strong> government is
doing <strong>the</strong> activities to phase out some pesticides that have been produced or used. The
pesticide products affecting negatively to human health and environment are being phased
out, including <strong>the</strong> ozone deplete substances (ODSs) like MB and CTC which are used as
agro-fumigants, and organic chloride pesticides which are used for controlling various pests.
The phasing out <strong>of</strong> ODSs is at a final stage, and <strong>the</strong> plan to phase out POPs is in
implementation stage. In case <strong>of</strong> receiving prohibition requirement for any pesticides or
being presented with data on <strong>the</strong> toxicities or non-effectiveness from domestic research
institute or users or from any international organizations, <strong>the</strong> government organizes <strong>the</strong>
National Pesticide Reviewing Committee to review and decide it.
E-3. There is no national project focusing to <strong>the</strong> hazard reduction <strong>of</strong> pesticides at present. But <strong>the</strong>
training related to it is being carried out continuously under responsibility <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ministry <strong>of</strong>
Agriculture. Especially, regions in <strong>the</strong> whole country organize <strong>the</strong> practical trainings on
safety use <strong>of</strong> pesticides for agro-technicians once a year. When supplying <strong>the</strong> pesticide
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