Editorial - Pesticides News 59

Much needed changes in the European Union to address dependence of agriculture on pesticides have received a boost with the endorsement by the decision-making Council of Ministers to support national pesticide reduction plans. Fresh evidence of the adverse impacts of pesticides suggests the need for far-reaching changes.

A new study by researchers at the US University of Washington, reported in the latest Environmental Health Perspectives, assesses organophosphate pesticide exposure in diets of Seattle preschool children. Researchers analysed dietary data, and compared children consuming organic and 
conventional diets. The dose estimates suggest that consumption of organic fruit, vegetables and juice can reduce children’s exposure levels from above to below the US Environmental Protection Agency’s guidelines.

In the UK a study by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reports that pesticides can adversely affect yellowhammers and skylarks by reducing available food (page 17). A pollution incident involving the insecticide cypermethrin caused devastation along a 21-kilometre stretch of the River Slea in Lincolnshire, killing in excess of 100,000 fish.

Commercial shrimp farming has serious consequences for some of the poorest and most vulnerable communities in countries where the industry is thriving, including Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines (page 4). The cocktails of over 15 hazardous pesticides used to produce shrimps present serious health threats to those ill-equipped to handle dangerous chemicals.

PAN UK has reported widely on the problems of obsolete pesticide stockpiles in Africa. In Eastern Europe, many countries are faced with hundreds of thousands of tonnes in dangerous storage conditions, often consisting of highly persistent chemicals. The Seventh International HCH and Pesticides Forum, taking place in Kiev from 5-7 June, will highlight the problem, and we urge all those concerned to take part (page 19). 

Strategies to reduce pesticide use through training farmers in Integrated Pest Management approaches demonstrate successful alternatives. In Iran, a study of the success of IPM training through Farmer Field Schools found that 70-80% of current pesticide use in the country is unnecessary (page 12). Many farmers in Ethiopia participating in field schools have eliminated the use of chemical pesticides, and successfully controlled pests with botanical extracts. These farmers have been training others in the surrounding area.

In a positive development, 583 Nicaraguan banana workers affected by the fumigant Nemagon (containing the now-banned active ingredient DBCP), won compensation from US multinational companies. A Nicaraguan judge ordered Dow Chemical, Shell Oil and Standard Fruit to pay US$490 million to 583 banana workers. However the decision may be challenged by the companies. 

The UK will introduce a national pesticide strategy this year (page 3). PAN UK will be encouraging the government to include a requirement to reduce pesticide dependence, and to support developing countries in their efforts to introduce similar approaches.

[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 59, March 2003, page 2]