Pakistan has banned two organophosphate pesticides, monocrotophos and methamidophos, with immediate effect. Both are on the list of pesticides under the Rotterdam Convention that require ‘prior informed consent’ (PIC) to import. The Convention, which Pakistan ratified on 14 July 2005, will ensure that the country does not receive unwanted imports of these pesticides. Monocrotophos was added to the PIC List in 2004. Currently only certain formulations of methamidophos are covered, on the basis of poisonings and ill-health that these products cause to users in developing countries. A PIC-listed pesticide must be banned by two countries in different regions of the world, on the basis of a risk evaluation. If Pakistan has carried out such an evaluation its action would count for consideration. The Rotterdam Convention finally became international law last year and the recent banning of these pesticides in Pakistan demonstrates its value as an early warning system for governments.