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Pesticides News No 51
The Journal of Pesticide Action Network UK
An international perspective on the health and environmental effects of pesticides
Quarterly/March 2001
To Subscribe
Editorial
Developing country hazards
Risky pesticides on sale in Africa 3
Each year around 30% of the US$900 million pesticides marketed in developing countries do not meet internationally accepted quality standards. They are posing a serious threat to human health and the environment, according to a joint statement from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
by Stephanie Williamson
Senegal - poisons and alternatives 4
Although fewer pesticides are used in Africa than in other continents, highly toxic products are applied in inappropriate conditions by women and men with no training or product information. Some initiatives are helping farmers eliminate pesticides but deaths and poisonings continue.
by Barbara Dinham
Nicaragua pesticide exposure and poisoning survey 5
Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) studies occupational and environmental aspects of pesticide exposure. In Nicaragua, PAHO has been working with the Ministry of Health and others since 1994 on a pesticide health project (named PLAGSALUD) which identifies problems, influences policy and raises public awareness. The PLAGSALUD team has carried out a series of assessments of pesticide impacts. Stephanie Williamson examines the findings from one of the most traditional farming areas in Nicaragua.
Developing country hazards 7
Pesticide reduction
Keeping pesticides out of water 8
PAN UK and the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) joined forces to host the Keeping Pesticides out of Water conference in London on 7 February. Peter Beaumont reports on key points made by the water industry, users and policy makers concerned with pesticides.
News 9
Decision against UK pesticide tax
The government has asked the Crop Protection Association (CPA) to make proposals to reduce the adverse effects of pesticides if it wants to avoid a pesticide tax.
Pesticide restriction in Scandinavia
Sweden and Denmark are set to restrict the use of pesticides in the non-agricultural sector.
Pesticide reduction
A campaign for pesticide use reduction in Europe 10
At the October 2000 PAN Europe Conference, 70 delegates representing public interest groups from 17 European countries agreed unanimously to co-operate on a campaign to set in place pesticide use reduction measures throughout the European Union. In the intervening months, the Pesticide Use Reduction in Europe (PURE) Campaign has started to take shape. Catherine Wattiez and Gretta Goldenman report on the latest developments.
Chemical safety
The precautionary principle in pesticides management 12
One of the most encouraging outcomes of the negotiations for a treaty aimed at eliminating Persistent Organic Pollutants was the inclusion of the 'precautionary principle'. Carl Smith calls for application of this principle to pesticide regulation.
Consumer protection
Food safety watch-dog 14
Food safety issues - BSE, food poisoning and pesticide residues - have caused concern across Europe. In April 2000, the UK government responded to the crisis by setting up a Food Standards Agency (FSA), to champion consumer concerns. In this article David Buffin interviewed chief pesticide scientist Julie Norman of the FSA to discover if the practice meets the promise. We highlight problems associated with residues in salmon and trout (see page 16) both of which are monitored by the FSA.
Food safety 16
The price of salmon
Fish farming has made salmon a readily available and affordable food, and provides jobs and investment in remote areas such as the west coast of Scotland, where both are badly needed. But are there environmental costs to pay for this revolutionary farming of the seas? And is eating farmed salmon entirely beneficial? A BBC film Warnings from the Wild: The Price of Salmon shown on 7 January 2001 tackled some of these questions head on.
Residues in trout persist
Data collected by the UK's Veterinary Medicines Directorate has revealed the presence of malachite green (MG) and leucomalachite green (LMG) in farmed fish. Government officials have been concerned for some time but residues continue to be found.
News 17
WiGRAMP: A new pesticide cocktail
The UK Working Group on the Risk Assessment of Mixtures of Pesticides (WiGRAMP) has just been established. The long-term effects of low doses of mixtures of different pesticides have been an increasing concern as new research has emerged.
Cancer and pesticides
Licensed to cause cancer 18
Lists of potential pesticide carcinogens as designated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Union (EU).
Disposal 19
African action on obsolete pesticides
A high level diplomatic conference of ministers and government officials from African governments has called for action to eliminate stockpiles of obsolete pesticides in the continent of Africa.
Fact sheets 20-21
Mosquitoes and flies
Azoxystrobin is one of the first of a new class of fungicides, the strobilurins, to be commercialised. It is now the leading proprietary fungicide in the world, but there are already serious resistance concerns.
Azoxystrobin
This article focuses on the control of mosquitoes and houseflies. Many pesticides used contain active ingredients with associated environmental and health effects.
Book reviews and resources 22-23
Natural Crop Protection in the Tropics
Natural Crop Protection in the Tropics has grown from a small pocket guide to a hefty hardback version with a more rigorous, text-book style presentation. This new edition heralds its status as 'the bible' for those working with alternatives to synthetic pesticides and it definitely deserves a place on your bookshelf !
UK news 23
Increase in methyl bromide use
Methyl bromide is an ozone depleting pesticide, and is subject to an international convention to phase out its use by 2005. Between 1994 and 1998 use of methyl bromide on strawberries increased by 27% in the UK.