Control of pesticides and IPM 
in developing countries

The problem
Pesticides continue to be used in developing countries, in spite of the often inappropriate conditions facing the women and men farmers and workers applying the products. Policy makers in governments and developing countries require accessible information on strategies for improving capacity to regulate pesticides, implement best practice, and develop IPM.

The goals
The project aims to increase the speed of implementation of Farmer Participatory IPM and to improve awareness of essential steps in the sound management of pesticides, by making widely available information and resources that promote ‘progressive pest management’.

Activities
This project is based on wide-ranging research of best practice, drawing on our own and others’ experience of pesticide regulation and Farmer Participatory IPM strategies. The resources (see below) are the result of consultations and studies of needs at both policy and field level.
    The material was developed for the European Commission Development Directorate to guide policies in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, and to assist in developing a policy in relation to pesticides and IPM in the EC.  The material has been distributed country desk officers, and to EC delegations in ACP countries, as well as to other development agencies, government regulators and researchers. Translations into French and Spanish are being undertaken and this material will be available later in 2001. 

Resources

Progressive Pest Management: Controlling pesticides and implementing IPM, [PDF 663KB], A4 booklet (24pp). An approach based on: Establishing control of pesticides; Reducing reliance on pesticides:  reducing use, risks and dependency; Action for IPM. French and Spanish to come.

Pest Management Notes is a series of short (4-page) briefings for governments, development agencies, policy and technical advisers, researchers and others on policies and issues related to pesticides and Integrated Pest Management. These include:

1. Pest management – a new approach, [PDF 120KB] A new approach to pest management, involving controlling chemicals, reducing reliance on pesticides and implementing IPM. Also available in French [PDF 52KB] and Spanish [PDF 51KB].
2. Integrated Pest Management, [PDF 106KB] An introduction to the key elements, including implementation approaches based on Farmer Field Schools, policies and other strategies for promoting IPM. Also available in French [PDF 62KB] and Spanish [PDF 63KB].
3. Disposal of obsolete pesticides, [PDF 88KB] An introduction to disposal issues, existing problems and prevention of future accumulation of stocks, with all the related problems. Also available in French [PDF 48KB] and Spanish [PDF 50KB].
4. Desert locust control in Africa, [PDF 119KB] An introduction to issues in locust control, discussing current research and concerns among donors and locust affected countries. Also available in French [PDF 513KB] and Spanish [PDF 106KB].
5. Prior Informed Consent, [PDF 97KB] An overview of The Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent (PIC) which alerts developing countries to bans or severe restrictions on pesticides and chemicals that are traded internationally. Also available in French [PDF 49KB] and Spanish [PDF 53KB].
6. International chemical initiatives, [PDF 105KB] Since 1992 a major international initiative for improved chemical and pesticide management has been established. This briefing outlines its role. Also available in French [PDF 65KB]and Spanish [PDF 61KB].
7. Pesticide procurement, [PDF 88KB] Outlines issues concerned with the procurement of pesticides and sets out current guidance to good practice. Also available in French [PDF 59KB] and Spanish [PDF 57KB].
8. Pesticide residues in food, [PDF 114KB] Introduces issues relating to establishing and implementing the pesticide residues standards in food which govern consumer safety and international trade. Also available in French [PDF 64KB] and Spanish [PDF 66KB].
9. Growing coffee with IPM, [PDF 95KB] This overview of IPM of pests and diseases of coffee indicates important considerations which can help to reduce pesticide use in this major crop. Also available in French [PDF 53KB] and Spanish [PDF 53KB].
10. Success with cotton IPM, [PDF 100KB] Provides information on successful IPM case studies, based on Farmer Field School training, which are dramatically reducing pesticide use in cotton. Also available in French [PDF 59KB] and Spanish  [PDF 59KB].
11. Sustainable fruit production, [PDF 80KB] A briefing providing a case study of smallholder fruit growers in Vietnam, and the danger of losing traditional practices that keep pest pressures low and reduce pesticide inputs. Also available in French [PDF 88KB] and Spanish  [PDF 89KB].
12. Sustainable cocoa production systems, [PDF 83KB] Cocoa is a crop of smallholder farmers, but low prices and high input costs have had a major impact on production and incomes. This briefing looks at sustainable options for farmers. Also available in French [PDF 90KB] and Spanish [PDF 91KB].
13. Sustainable tomato production, [PDF 73KB] Tomatoes are one of the most widely grown vegetables, but attract high levels of pesticide use to control fungal diseases and insect pests. This briefing looks at successful sustainable options, including cultural and biological controls. Also available in French [PDF 79KB] and Spanish [PDF 80KB].
14. Agriculture for food security, [PDF 49KB] Explores agricultural production strategies for smallholder farmers and the impacts on their food security, welfare and livelihoods. It highlights a case study from Ethiopia. Also available in French [PDF 57KB], Spanish to come.

Guide to Active Ingredient Hazards, [PDF 946KB - This is a very large file and we recommend it is printed out for use as a reference tool] A tabulated guide to over 1000 active ingredients, including biological controls. The Guide provides a quick reference point for chemical names, types, uses, and to internationally-recognised concerns with acute toxicity (WHO classification by hazard), the Acceptable Daily Intake, reproductive and chronic effects, endocrine disrupting pesticides, environmental effects, national regulation, inclusion in international Conventions (PIC), known evaluations. (See also guide to table, [PDF 57KB]).

Resource guide to pest management topics, agencies, web sites and databases, [PDF 606KB] (32pp). Divided into three sections:  Topics provides a quick guide to commonly-used terms relating to pesticide management and IPM;  Agencies includes major international agencies, NGOs, research institutes, industry contacts;  Links to computer-based resources, offering fully updated web-links and on-line databases.

Country profiles, [PDF 263KB]: the state of IPM and chemical management in Lomé Africa (34pp), provides information on the situation in Africa regarding pesticide regulation and steps to promote IPM in selected African countries. Accompanying the profiles is a database (current to 1999) of projects which contain a strong element of participatory IPM, [PDF 678KB].  

For more information about this project contact Barbara Dinham, Director or Stephanie Williamson, International Project Officer at PAN UK

[First published online in June 2001, updated September 2003]