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Editorial

Legal challenges
 Industrial giant over-ruled in test information case 3

Developing country hazards
Dangerous pesticide dealing in Cambodia 4
A 2002 report highlighted the threat to Cambodia’s people, food, water, wildlife and development targets from pesticides. A new report by a Cambodian group corroborates the conclusions and explains how pesticide traders compound the pesticide problem in Cambodia. Carl Middleton, Keam Makarady and Yang Saing Koma report. 

International regulation
Can new global initiatives reduce pesticide hazards? 6
A raft of global initiatives has come on stream to address a wide variety of pesticide issues. These agreements, protocols and conventions provide a basis for action that must be made to work. Barbara Dinham, Director of PAN UK, looks more closely at their history and scope, as well their potential for improving health and the environment.

News 8

 Organic cotton company profiles No1
 New PAN poster

Developing country hazards 
Glyphosate reaps social discontent in South America 9
The broad-spectrum herbicide glyphosate has rarely been out of the Latin American news in recent months, because of its controversial aerial application for control of illicit crops and increased use on genetically modified soya. Stephanie Williamson reviews the latest news from Colombia and Paraguay.

European NGO news 
Strengthening capacity in Central and Eastern Europe 10
Average pesticide use in Central and Eastern European countries was relatively low during the last decade compared to Western Europe. Now the amount of pesticides used is increasing. Accession of eight of these countries into the European Union may lead to an intensification of agricultural production systems, with a higher dependency on agrochemicals. Susanne Smolka describes how PAN Germany is working with local NGOs to address this situation. 

EU regulation 11
Hundreds of hazardous pesticides are still approved in Europe 11
Many pesticides used in European are classified as carcinogenic or harmful to reproduction according to official bodies such as the European Union and the US Environmental Protection Agency. A new report by Catherine Wattiez and François Veillerette highlights which pesticides are most problematic. 

Developing country hazards 
Children’s development undermined by pesticide use in India 12
Evidence of the chronic effects of pesticides on the health of children and women in cotton growing areas in six Indian states has emerged after a recent Greenpeace study. The main findings include cases of arrested development in children under 13. Kavitha Kuruganti reports on the details of the findings.

News 14

PAN Europe conference 2004

Alternatives 
Regulators reject garlic alternative 15
The UK pesticide regulator is considering the use of food-grade garlic as an alternative to hazardous OP insecticides. David Buffin investigates the difficulties involved following two years of lengthy regulatory deliberation. 

EU Regulation 
Will biocides be booted out of Europe? 16
As the first implications of the European review of biocides, or non-agricultural pesticides, become apparent it seems that the majority could soon be taken off the market. Roslyn McKendry reports on the companies lack of support for their products.

UK News 17

 Toddlers exposed daily to pesticides
 Public concern about chemicals

International news 18-19

 Massive fire burns down endosulfan plant in India
 Malawi on course to phase out ozone-depleting pesticide
 Eliminating the most hazardous pesticides in Latin America
 Judge orders payments to Bhopal victims
 Growers lose out to DuPont appeal

Fact sheet 20
2,4-D 
The herbicide 2,4-D has become one of the most-used weedkillers since the 1940’s. New research has shown the active ingredient may cause cancer and lead to other chronic health effects. In addition 2,4-D exposures through spray drift and run off are potentially damaging to many forms of wildlife.

Book reviews and resources 22-23

Ploughing up the farm
Hungry corporations
Regaining the land
Opportunities for IPM
State of the World – 2004
Best guide to greening the planet
Pesticide data
Toxic threats in the Arctic

PAN information database trio announced
Better options for pest management in the tropics
Extended pesticide database from PANNA
New on-line pesticide and alternatives library from PAN UK