Pesticides News No 49
The Journal of Pesticide Action Network UK
An international perspective on the health and environmental effects of pesticides
Quarterly/September 2000
New research
Spraying could spread food poisoning bacteria 3
New research from Canada shows that farmers and growers can spread dangerous food poisoning bugs in their pesticide sprays. Scientists at Manitoba University have found that some pesticide mixes promote the growth of bacteria which are then sprayed onto crops. Although UK scientists say the risk from pesticides is small compared to those from animal manure spread on farmland, the Manitoba team insists that more research should be done urgently. John Harvey reports.
Water
Pesticides in water - new PAN UK briefing
Farmers and local authorities together used nearly 25,744 tonnes of pesticide active ingredient in the UK during 1999, made up of some 400 different pesticide chemicals: a proportion of this total ends up in water sources. Only now are regulators realising that the presence of pesticides in water is almost inevitable, however carefully farmers use them. Careful use can reduce the amount of pollution, but can never prevent it completely. This article is based on the new PAN UK briefing covering issues related to pesticides in water.
Health and environment
Lindane ban across European Union 6
Campaigners are celebrating the European Commission's decision to ban lindane in farming. John Harvey looks at the mixed reaction - from farmers and growers who fear they are running out of alternatives to protect some crops, to those who have fought for years to rid the world of lindane.
Sustainable agriculture
Progress in organic cotton - one farmer's experience 8
Mrs Wingwiri is a veteran of organic cotton growing in Zimbabwe's Zambezi valley in the area know as Lower Guruve. She first became interested during the visit sponsored by the (then) Pesticides Trust in late 1995. The possibilities of the organic system were presented, at the request of the Lower Guruve Development Association (LGDA). Dorothy Myers reports on Mrs Wingwiri's progress.
Insecticide-free cotton is feasible and profitable 9
Arif Hamid and Ashraf Poswal report on the growing impact of cotton IPM training through Farmer Field Schools in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. A pilot training project in 1997 enabled smallholder cotton farmers from Vehari District in the Punjab to become effective IPM practitioners by learning about the agroecology of key pests and the beneficial insects which control them. (See PN 40 pp12-13).
Company news
Merger mania in world agrochemicals market 10
Agrochemical companies play a major role in shaping agricultural production. While there has been no significant increase in the $30 billion market in recent years, the shift towards genetic engineering - with about 90% of the genetically modified seeds marketed owned by pesticide companies - marks a new trend in consolidation. But a relatively static and fiercely competitive market has led to mergers in the industry with only seven companies now dominating 80% of sales: a figure expected to be reduced to five in the next few years. So who are the giants of the industry, and what are their strategies? Barbara Dinham reports.
Developing country hazards
Donors urged to help combat pesticide hazards 12
A new report on pesticide problems and regulatory concerns in Costa Rica, Tanzania and Vietnam recommends steps towards improved control and reduction of pesticide use. Prepared jointly by scientists, regulators in developing countries, NGOs and trade unions, it was addressed to the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency (Sida). Barbara Dinham and George Ekström report.
Health and environment
Industry claims exaggerated - The other side of the story 14
'Crop Protection in Context' is the title of a new pamphlet from the agrochemical industry's Crop Protection Association (CPA). John Harvey examines the claims made and fills in the gaps.
Hazardous chemicals
Chlorpyrifos faces severe restriction 16
Cambodian fish poisoning 16
On 13 July Cambodia's minister of health acknowledged that pesticide-laced fish were responsible for killing seven people and making 79 sick in June in the northern province of Siem Reap.
Environmental fate
Report critical of UK watchdogs
In 1996 the UK Environment Agency set up the Pesticides in the Environment Working Group (PEWG) to look at the overall balance of monitoring activities on pesticides in the environment, to identify gaps and make improvements. The Group has now reported with surprising frankness, identifying critical deficiencies in pesticide monitoring and research programmes.
Fact sheet
Ant control - least toxic options 18-19
Given the number of commercial pesticide products available for ant control on the domestic market, one might be forgiven for mistaking the ant as the most virulent UK pest. This article explores the efficacy and safety of the pesticides aimed at controlling a pest that is also a beneficial indoor insect.
Local authority news 19
Small doses 19
Fact sheet
Diazinon 20-21
Diazinon is an organophosphate (OP) pesticide developed by Novartis in the early 1950s. Government regulators are increasingly likely to restrict its use because of concerns about neurotoxicity and data gaps.
News 22
Book reviews 23