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Editorial

UK regulation
Sheep dip banned to save rivers 3
In the 1990s health concerns over organophosphate sheep dips led to their partial replacement with the synthetic pyrethroid, cypermethrin. However, cypermethrin is around a 1,000 times more toxic to invertebrates[1]. With mounting evidence of its environmental impact UK sales have temporarily been suspended. Matt Shardlow outlines the problem and the imperative to make this ban permanent.

New UK strategy avoids pesticide reduction 5
The UK government finally published its national pesticide strategy in March of this year. While providing a new policy framework for moving towards sustainable pest management it remains to be seen whether it is the right basis for progress. Clare Butler Ellis reports.

Risk assessment
Human testing – industry lobbying may increase exposure 6
After pressure from industry the United States Environmental Protection Agency recently published new rules on human pesticide testing ending a moratorium on the use of such studies. Brian Hill reviews recent developments and considers their ethical implications.

EU regulation
The death of strychnine 7
The EU withdrawal of strychnine marks its end as a method of mole control. While this has got to be applauded there is no guarantee that the main alternative, lethal traps, will be more humane. Chris Davies examines the issues and calls on ministers to review laws and draw up new guidance and training.

UK regulation

Revised code of practice: public exposure and rights of way 8
An error in the government’s new Code of Practice for pesticides has been successfully challenged by PAN UK and Friends of the Earth. Alison Craig reviews the implications of the new code for people’s
exposure to pesticides, particularly where there are public rights of way and warns that we could be confronted with a choice of either having countryside access with unacceptable risks to our health or
protection from pesticides and closed rights of way.

Health
Toxic times – exposure to multiple chemicals 9
Recognition of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) as an illness with a biological basis is still controversial in the UK. Professor Malcolm Hooper examines the role of pesticides in the development of MCS and evidence supporting its recognition.

Pesticides and cancer – tracing the links 12
Cancer incidence rates are increasing worldwide and may rise by as much as 50% by 2020. At the same time we have been exposed to a complex mixture of novel chemicals. There is mounting evidence that persistent organic chemical contaminants such as pesticides, are involved in the aetiology of cancer and that these chemicals exert their effect during critical periods of development, at low,
environmentally relevant levels. Elucidating cause/effect relationships allowing us to pinpoint the specific chemicals involved is improbable. John Newby and Vyvyan Howard suggest this may be an appropriate
time for governments to adopt the precautionary principle.

Obsolete stockpiles
Moving the mountain – managing containers 16
Tens of thousands of tonnes of used pesticide containers are generated every year. In developing countries many find secondary uses, most notoriously for drinking water. It is vital that systems are
put in place to remove this toxic waste. Mark Davis discusses the options available and the challenges ahead.

Stopping stockpiles 18
Disposal of obsolete pesticides is a vital first step in eliminating the hazard of stockpiles. But it can be just as difficult to identify concrete actions that will prevent future stockpiles. PAN UK is the independent monitor for the obsolete pesticide project in Mozambique. Eloise Touni reports on progress being made on prevention work.

Factsheet
Pesticide risk assessment – inadequate for occupational exposure 19
Manufacturers of pesticides are required to submit data to national regulators to allow health and environmental risks to be assessed before pesticides can be registered for use in a country. However, procedures for assessing the hazards of pesticides and the likely worker exposure are incomplete making assessment of risk very uncertain.
Risk

News 22
More poisonings in Chile
Aerial fumigation – Ecuador’s doctors protest to the UN
UK consults on food standards

Book reviews 23
Who benefits from GM crops?
Chemical warfare in Colombia
Reducing pesticide use in Germany