Pesticides News No 45
The Journal of the Pesticides Trust
[now PAN UK]
An international perspective on the health and environmental effects of pesticides
Quarterly/September 1999
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Editorial 2
Organophosphates
OPs on our nerves - study links exposure with ill-health 3
Campaigners calling for a ban on organophosphate (OP) sheep dips have been overwhelmingly vindicated by a recent UK government-funded report. The study, carried out by the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), has concluded that the dips do cause long-term ill-health. John Harvey reports on the reaction to these latest findings.
Genetically modified organisms
GM crops - in a field near you 4-5
Farm-scale trials on genetically modified herbicide tolerant (GMHT) crops are here-for the moment. They are taking place at the point where science, commerce and public opinion meet. This article looks at the planning and intention behind some of the trials, and what society hopes to learn from them.
Glyphosate residue limits in soya relaxed to accommodate GM crops
The European Union (EU) has substantially increased the maximum residue limit allowed for glyphosate in imported genetically modified (GM) soya. Has pressure from the makers of GM herbicide tolerant crops over-ridden consumer concerns? Sue Dibb reports.
GM liability Bill launched in UK
On 24 June, Alan Simpson MP presented his Genetically Modified Food Safety and Producer Liability Bill to the UK House of Commons.
Food residues
Unreliable testing - Residue analysis called into question 6
The Working Party on Pesticide Residues has found large variations in residue test results. For the first time, its annual report shows which retailers are selling foods that exceed statutory residue limits. By Peter Beaumont
Organophosphates
A hazardous link - OPs and intensive poultry production 7
In 1998, eight sheep died in a poisoning incident in Kent, after an organophosphate (OP) insecticide was used to treat chicken sheds nearby. Alison Craig warns of OP use behind closed doors.
Obsolete pesticides
Chemical time bomb in the CIS 8
The members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) have vast quantities of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) which are obsolete and redundant. None of the States knows how much of these chemicals it has to deal with, or what should be done with them. But a recent meeting in Moscow of CIS delegates provided the sketchy outlines of a very disturbing picture with global implications. By Mark Davis
Biopesticides
Biological control - the struggle for sustainable options 9
Potentially biopesticides offer a sustainable solution to agricultural systems. Multinational corporations made initial investments, but in recent years have been lured by the biotechnological fixes such as genetic modification. Here Jeff Waage explains why this is so-and in the following article offers a possible way forward for biopesticides.
Wanted: investors in biological control 10
In recent years agrochemical companies have neglected the opportunities presented by biopesticides. David Dent and Jeff Waage examine what can be done to promote this under-developed market in a sustainable way.
Occupational health
Indian cotton farming - study identifies training needs 12
Cotton farmers in many parts of India are struggling against insect resistance to pesticides, but without the knowledge or resources to help them combat the problem. Pesticide companies are initiating training programmes in areas of high pesticide usage. The study reported here was undertaken by Guglielmo Pampiglione1 at Imperial College, and provided the background to a training programme by Zeneca Agrochemicals in Andhra Pradesh, India. Barbara Dinham has highlighted key aspects.
Endocrine disrupters 15
Infertility linked to pesticide exposure
New evidence from Holland adds weight to the notion that many pesticides are endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The European Commission should urgently publish data gaps for reproductive toxicology, in order to allay public interest concerns.
Top of the POPs contamination
A new report from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) says people are contaminated with several hundred synthetic chemicals, many of which are pesticides.
Lindane campaign
The severe restriction placed on the use of the endocrine disrupting chemical lindane is only a partial success according to the Lindane Campaign Group. Lindane is already banned in many other European countries, and the Group is now stepping up measures to try and make sure it comes off the UK market.
Local authorities 16
Green Flag Park Awards for 2000 more than doubled
The number of parks judged good enough to receive one of the prestigious Green Flag Park Awards for the year 2000 has more than doubled. This is only the third year of the Award scheme, which was created by the Pesticides Trust
[now PAN UK] and developed in partnership with the Institute for Leisure and Amenity Management (ILAM), English Nature, and the Chartered Institution for Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM).
Landfill site contaminated
The UK Environment Agency's remit for licensing landfill sites is to 'prevent harm to human health and the environment'. But in respect of pesticides they are failing to do so.
European news 17
Agriculture and the environment - a picture in figures
A new European Union (EU) report has been produced by two Directorates of the European Commission, DGVI (Agriculture) and DGXI (Environment), and the agency Eurostat, summarising the linkage between agriculture and the environment.
Hazardous trade 17
PIC moves forward
The 6th International Negotiating Committee meeting (INC6) of the Rotterdam Convention, which covers the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure, met in Rome from 12-16 July to discuss the trade in hazardous pesticides.
Fact sheets 18-21
Head lice control - least toxic options
Head lice problems are often incorrectly associated with lack of cleanliness. An understanding of non-toxic chemical alternatives, and ways of treating and reducing risk of re-infestation, can help children and parents manage head lice outbreaks.
Interview with the bug buster - Joanna Ibarra
David Buffin recently met up with Joanna Ibarra to discuss her work promoting the use of non-chemical control for head lice problems.
Aldicarb
Aldicarb is a carbamate pesticide that has been used around the world since the mid 1960s. Public interest groups consider it hazardous enough to include it in the Pesticide Action Network's Dirty Dozen list.
Small doses 21
Book reviews and resources 22-23
Organophosphates 23
New OP leaflet - farmer's verdict
A new leaflet 'Organophosphate (OP) insecticides and their uses: guidance for professional users' will soon be published. Ernie Patterson reports on its likely impact.