PAN UK and PAN Africa have worked closely with the World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), and WWF since the beginning of the African Stockpiles Programme (ASP) to promote the participation of NGOs and civil society in countries with disposal projects. Their role is particularly valued in raising awareness, and helping to prevent future stockpiles. The communities most at risk from stockpiles need to be informed about disposal activities, and have a key role to play in preventing future re-accumulations. This will only be achieved in a framework of good pesticide management at all levels, and relies on education and information about the dangers of pesticides and stockpiles to users and local communities. NGOs are often the most appropriately placed in a country to provide this kind of education, and can be a suitable partner to country projects responsible for prevention. NGOs will also play an important role in ensuring the multi-million pound projects are transparent, through representation on national steering committees, and potentially through involvement in monitoring disposal
operations.
NGO participation will be based on a model of national networks in each participating country. PAN UK and PAN Africa will help develop networks, build links with country project teams responsible for disposal, and build capacity of NGOs to participate effectively. The first capacity building event was held in July 2005 in Bamako, Mali.
NGO workshop
The workshop was designed for NGO representatives from the three French-speaking countries in the first phase of ASP: Mali, Morocco and Tunisia. Four NGOs were identified in each country with experience in pesticides, chemicals, or general environment issues, who expressed an interest in the ASP, and a representative from each invited. Participants included experts in toxicology, communications and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The workshop aimed to train participants in the causes and problems of obsolete pesticides, and some of the solutions available for preventing accumulations and dealing with existing stockpiles. ASP was presented, including operational information about its structure, financing, and
history.
The workshop was opened by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment, Mr Yafong Berthé, and followed an open, interactive format throughout the three days. The first day included presentations from participants about the situation in their own countries and from PAN UK about ASP. Jan Betlem, an independent consultant on disposal operations, provided a rapid overview of the technical training in inventory, safeguarding and centralization activities given to government teams. It included videos, discussions and practical demonstrations of the safety equipment used, focusing on health and safety and the types of risk present at all stages of the operations. Participants learnt about the standardized FAO forms for stores, products and samples and discussed the types of chemical equipment available to use in the field for identifying stocks in poor condition without labels.
Prevention of future stockpiles
Prevention is considered an important area for NGOs, who are expected to participate in awareness raising activities in country programmes, as well as lobbying authorities to adopt and implement safe chemical management strategies and legislation. The FAO International Code of Conduct for the Distribution and Use of Pesticides was presented, and participants worked in groups to identify important provisions for NGOs, and for prevention of obsolete pesticides. The IPM session presented the basic principles, from selection of seeds, soil and water management, to harvesting practices and crop storage. A field visit to the cooperative YOUMA in Kati, near Bamako, demonstrated evidence of increased yields with reduced costs and health and environmental impacts, and allowed participants to hear farmers experiences of IPM with vegetables. The farmers discussed different, new types of natural pest control with an NGO practising IPM elsewhere in Mali; the first of many useful opportunities provided by ASP for information exchange and experience sharing.
Good communication of core messages will be vital to the success of the ASP, and particularly in preventing future stockpiles. A trainer from WWF Senegal led a discussion with participants on their experiences to date, which ranged from full-blown campaigns to simple leaflets or websites. The session focused on creating an overall communication strategy and on understanding of the target audience. The more specific a communication initiative is, the more likely it is to succeed. The participants then developed an initial ASP communication strategy for their own country, identifying suitable messages and delivery methods.
Key elements highlighted during discussions included: