Pesticides News No 24
The Journal of the Pesticides Trust
[now PAN UK]
An international perspective on the health and environmental effects of pesticides
Quarterly/June 1994
Features
Low Input Farming 3
In a month when Danish scientists have suggested, from a limited survey, that organic produce may prevent a reduction of male fertility, we have laid out recent developments and initiatives from the UK, which are being mirrored across Europe, addressing low input farming. These initiatives still rely on the use of chemical control, but in a more environmentally benign way. We follow the jargon-integrated pest management, integrated farming systems, integrated production, integrated farming, integrated ecological farming systems, less-intensive input production-and (pause for breath) outline what is happening in practice.
Alternatives to Methyl Bromide Sought 5
The race is on to find alternatives to the ozone-depleting fumigant, methyl bromide, as the Montreal Protocol-the international agreement governing ozone-depleting chemicals-is likely to announce a global phase-out of use in 1995. This article focuses on the attempts in the US, Israel and the Third World to find replacement forms of pest control that are environmentally acceptable. By Mark Davis and David Buffin.
Pesticide Reduction at Kew Botanic Gardens 6
The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew has a mission to ensure better management of the environment by increasing knowledge and understanding of the plant kingdom-the basis of life on Earth. This is achieved through world-wide research into plants and the ecosystem, publication, access to all knowledge so gained for the world's scientific community, and through the display and interpretation to the public of the collections at Kew in London and Wakehurst Place in Sussex. David Buffin has explored these ideals with Fiona Dennis of Kew to see how they relate to the practical implementation of integrated pest management using, in particular, biological control and the reduction in pesticide use.
Screening for Endocrine Disruption 8
Environmentalists are increasingly concerned that pre-approval testing of chemicals, including pesticides, insufficiently addresses potential toxicity to the endocrine system(1). Unease arises from evidence in humans of decreasing sperm counts in men, and increases in birth defects and cancers affecting reproductive organs(2). Effects on wildlife provide evidence that hormonally-active compounds are present in the environment at biologically significant concentrations(3). The last issue of Pesticides News drew attention to testing inadequacies. Marlissa Campbell points out that testing techniques are available, but a multidisciplinary approach is needed.
Product Defence? - Philippines groups question corporate strategies
Hoechst has been vigorously defending its market in the Philippines. Two products, endosulfan (marketed as Thiodan) and fentin acetate (Brestan) have given rise to a number of health and environmental concerns and have become the target of campaigns by concerned citizens and farmers' groups. A government ban on sales of endosulfan in 1992 was successfully challenged by Hoechst, and the company has subsequently taken legal action against a doctor who expressed concerns that endosulfan may be carcinogenic. Citizens groups in South East Asia have launched a booklet tracing the history of the disputes in support of Dr. Quijano. By Barbara Dinham.
Farmer First - Field schools are a key to IPM success
The techniques of IPM have been applied since the 1960s, but many schemes failed to take root with farmers, in spite of demonstrations that natural enemies effectively control many insect pests. IPM training is not effective when simply packaged as part of a top-down extension message. In South and South East Asia, an FAO/Government Co-operative Programme has pioneered methods of training rice farmers in the field to understand the plant-pest ecology. (See also conversation between farmers and pesticide salesmen below). By Barbara Dinham.
Sustainable agriculture 7
Farming
Environmental Improvements for Scottish Intensive Farming
The Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), which has the task of securing conservation and enhancing the natural heritage of Scotland, is developing a number of initiatives to explore approaches to environmentally sustainable development in the countryside. A part of this is the TIBRE project-Targeted Inputs for a Better Rural Environment, which aims to make intensive farming more environmentally sustainable by applying modern technology. Given the experience of farmers over the past 20-30 years, it is difficult to convince them that intensive farming systems are agriculturally unsustainable, according to SNH. By David Buffin.
Residues
Pesticide Residue Problems in Developing Countries-lack of data 10
The Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) is part of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme. It establishes Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for pesticides in foods and feeds in order to facilitate international trade and protect the health of consumers. A recent meeting of the Codex committee identified pesticides used on commodities exported from developing countries that have no MRLs at present
Environmental impacts 10
Pesticide dumps 14
Occupational health and safety
Farm worker exposure in the US 14
The General Accounting Office (GAO) in the US has conducted a study to determine the extent to which US Government programmes and regulations protect farmers and farm workers from unnecessary pesticide risks. GAO looked at the relative merits of state pesticide-illness monitoring systems-and by far, California came out on top.
Water pollution 15
Toxic trade 15
Small doses 15
Local authority 16-17
Misguided Herbicides?
With the arrival of summer, local council employees and contractors are out on the streets spraying against weeds and the telephones at the Pesticides Trust
[now PAN UK] and other environmental organisations start ringing with concerned citizens asking whether the chemicals being sprayed are safe. The Pesticide Trust Local Authority Project offers guidance to local authorities on least toxic control methods. Here we ask what councils are using against weeds. Is it safe, and is it necessary? By Mark Davis.
Pollution
The State of the North Sea 18
During the late 1980s, it was acknowledged that there was a lack of scientific knowledge concerning the environment of the North Sea. To overcome this North Sea governments set up the North Sea Task Force (NSTF) to assess the patterns of inputs and dispersion of contaminants, ecological conditions and effects of human activities. By David Buffin.
Agrochemical futures 19
Corporate News
There are no major surprises in the figures for 1993 agrochemical sales. Recent trends have been maintained, with global sales of US$25,280 million. This marginal increase over the previous year represents a small decline of 1.7% after adjustment for inflation and currency effects. By Barbara Dinham.
UK monitor 20
International monitor 21
Book reviews and resources 22-23
Forestry Books