Governments vote for tougher action on acutely toxic pesticides

A major new effort is needed to protect pesticide users and their communities in developing countries from pesticide poisoning. This was the outcome of a discussion at the Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) held in Thailand from 1-7 November. 

In hard-hitting recommendations, governments at the IFCS agreed on the need to implement stronger policies to reduce pesticide poisonings¹. Dr Suwit Wibulpolprasert, the Thai government representative and next IFCS President, said the problem is far more serious than is currently recognised. A survey carried out by the Thai Department of Health over the years 1992-2001 showed that 13-25% of farmers had abnormal enzyme levels in their blood resulting from pesticide exposure. The results were based on widespread sampling every year, with 278,612 farmers tested in 2000 detecting abnormal levels in 18.88% of farmers².
    Actions identified to reduce the hazards of pesticide poisoning need commitment and support from international organisations, scientific and medical communities, pesticide and agricultural industries, public interest groups, agricultural workers, labour unions, small farmers and indigenous people. The conference recommendation suggested that all stakeholders should, among other initiatives:

• promote Integrated Pest and Production management
• prioritise the use of pesticide formulations suited to the conditions of use in the country
• ensure that product labels have clear safety and use information
• establish licensing systems for the sound storage, distribution and application of pesticides
• establish mandatory or voluntary container return procedures
• establish pesticide use surveillance and monitoring systems to gather information on common conditions of use and their impact on health and environment
• expand research and capacity for research on alternative pest control and crop production measures
• substitute acutely toxic pesticides with reduced risk pesticides and non-chemical control measures
• establish national systems for surveillance and reporting of poisoning incidents affecting workers and communities, particularly community and self-surveillance monitoring and reporting
• avoid the build up of stocks, and dispose of obsolete stockpiles.

The recommendations particularly stressed the need for better communication and training. At a policy level, it argued for a culture of compliance and accountability as well as effective enforcement. 
    As an international event, it urged governments to ratify and implement the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent, and to fully implement the newly revised International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides as the basis for a comprehensive life cycle approach to pesticide management at national level. (BD)

1. IFCS, Final Report, Acutely Toxic Pesticides, IFCS/FORUM IV/162, 5 November 2003.
2. Department of Health statistics, provided by Dr Suwit Wibulpolprasert, November 2003.

[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 62, December 2003, page 19]