Editorial

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Promoting IPM in Illinois childcare centres
Increasingly government and NGO recommendations and legislation are promoting adoption of IPM in schools and childcare facilities to prevent children's exposure to pesticides. However childcare providers often lack the information and confidence needed to implement these changes, despite the fact that young children are at their most vulnerable. A study was carried out to evaluate a successful IPM training programme in the Illinois childcare sector in the United States. Debby Mir, Yoram Finkelstein and Gayle Tulipano report on its successes.
 

Bee toxic pesticides are causing a buzz
A group of controversial pesticides are causing a buzz in the UK. In the last month they have made front page news and have been debated by MPs in the Houses of Parliament. They are the neonicotinoids, a group of chemicals that have become controversial due to the increasing evidence demonstrating their impacts on bees. Vicky Kindemba of Buglife reports.

Plus: UN says bee decline is global trend


The London Mayor's new campaign for a bee-friendly capital
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has turned his attention to protecting the beleaguered honey bee. His new Capital Bee campaign seeks to promote community-run beekeeping and to make London a 'bee-friendly' city. Pamela Brunton reports.


Continued poisonings and protest force change in Latin America
Over recent months, PAN Latin America Regional Centre has collated reports of numerous poisoning incidents in South America, Central America and the Caribbean. Increasing protests by citizens' groups, along with concerns from health and environmental officials, is finally leading to changes in government attitudes, with a series of harmful active ingredients to be banned. Stephanie Williamson reports.


Pesticide use and climate change - are they decoupled?
Many commentators speculate that the increasing temperatures and rising CO₂ levels associated with climate change will increase pest and disease pressures on crops forcing farmers to use mroe pesticides. Lars Neumeister questions this assumption pointing out that there are many factors influencing pesticide use. Drawing on data from Scandinavia he suggests that regulation and policy instruments can have a greater influence on pesticide use than climate change.


Still no EU agreement to reduce dependency on biocides
EU biocide legislation is currently being revised. However, a coalition of environmental and health NGOs coordinated by PAN Germany has branded the proposed revisions as 'weak and inadequate to protect people or the environment from potentially toxic biocides'. Ministers to introduce requirements to promote non-chemical alternatives to biocides and to substitute toxic biocides with non- or less toxic products. Christian Schweer reports.

Plus: Beekeepers expose weaknesses in EU pesticide assessments
         Ecological agriculture can double food production says UN

Imidacloprid - factsheet
Imidacloprid is a systemic insecticide of the neonicotinoid family. It is widely used across the world and has a relatively low human toxicity. However, there is increasing concern over evidence suggesting impacts on bee populations and target pest resistance.

Resources
ENDURE network for diversifying crop protection
Book review: Systemic pesticides: a disaster in the making (Henk Tennekes 2010)

 

Editorial

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Rapid risk assessment of pesticide use in Ethiopia
PAN partners’ work to document patterns of pesticide use and practices by Ethiopian smallholder farmers has generated valuable information for policy makers. As part of the PAN partner capacity building component of this work, partners carried out a Rapid Risk
Assessment exercise on the most commonly used pesticides with the aid of ‘how to’ guidance from Colin Tingle and Ian Grant. Here, Colin and Ian describe the ‘example’ Rapid Risk Assessments they produced on 2,4-D and DDT as a training tool, for this exercise.
These give policy makers and others an indication of the most important risks from the PAN partner survey findings.

Plus: Paraquat poisoning

French farmers and integrated production of wheat
Since 1997, agronomists and farmers in northern France have conducted extensive farm trials to develop strategies for growing large-scale arable crops with reduced reliance on agrochemicals. The aim of the trials is to reduce the environmental load on water and soil
resources, to better preserve biodiversity, while still growing profitable crops within a mainstream setting. Stephanie Williamson reports.

Pesticide export - from the harbour of Hamburg to the world
The International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides provides guidance on the manufacture, distribution, sale and use of pesticides. It recommends that in developing countries hazardous pesticides which require the use of prohibitively expensive or uncomfortable personal protective clothing should not be used. PAN Germany investigated the export of pesticides from the port of Hamburg in Germany. They found that, despite the recommendations of the Code, 77 highly hazardous pesticides were being exported. Susan Haffmans reports.

Plus: Diazinon - the problem of multiple regulatory regimes

Diazinon - Factsheet
Diazinon is an organophosphate pesticide developed by Novartis in the early 1950s. It has recently lost its authorisation for use in the EU as an agricultural pesticide and as a biocide due to issues with toxicity and gaps in the required authorisation data.
 

Editorial

2 articles are free this issue!

Pesticide poisoning in Nicaragua – five decades of evidence
The evidence of the last 50 years demonstrates convincingly the negative impact of pesticide use in Nicaragua where high rates of acute pesticide poisoning have been documented. Recent changes in the institutional approach in the health, environment and agriculture sectors have led to significant improvements. However, these are not enough. Structural changes are needed to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and to enhance measures to protect workers’ health and the environment. Marianela Corriols reports.

Food spray training in Benin – a recipe for success
Effective pest management tools are vital to allow cotton farmers to convert to organic production. Sprays made from food products have recently been developed which, when sprayed on the growing cotton plant, attract beneficial insects reducing pest damage and improving yields. Farmers in Benin are being trained to incorporate these food sprays into their pest management regime. Eliza Anyangwe reports.

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Increased IPM knowledge among Beninese farmers
Since the 1980s Farmer Field Schools in Asia have been helping to improve farmers knowledge of pest management techniques and reducing their reliance on pesticides. This model is now being adapted to Africa. Trine Lund, May-Guri Sæthre, Ingrid Nyborg, Ousmane Coulibaly and Md. Hafizur Rahman report on a project to train Beninese vegetable producers in integrated production methods.

Plus: Endosulfan bans spread.

Global survey of pesticide use reveals widespread harm
PAN International recently launched ‘Communities in Peril: Global Report on health impacts of pesticide use in agriculture’. This report documents the results and recommendations of a survey by PAN organisations in 13 countries investigating the use of pesticides in rural communities around the world. It shows that highly hazardous pesticides are commonly being used in unsafe conditions. The report calls for more assertive action by policy-makers and corporations to address pesticide hazards and support agroecological methods of farming. Bella Whittle summarises the key findings and recommendations of the report.

Plus: EU concerned over Egypt’s lax pesticide controls.

Growing organic crops for export – an ethical approach in Africa?
PAN UK and African partners have been promoting organic cotton as a way to provide safer and more sustainable livelihoods in the West African savannah lands for over 15 years. However, with current concerns about food security, should we be promoting cotton, or other cash crops, grown for export to Europe? PAN UK interviews field agent Mr Emmanuel Dossoumou from the Beninese Organisation for Promotion for Organic Agriculture (OBEPAB) on his views.

Pesticide residues still a food risk in the EU
The European Food Safety Authority recently published a report on EU-wide pesticide residue testing during 2008. The report suggests that 3.5% of fruit and vegetables still contain residues above legal limits. Hans Muilerman of PAN Europe examines the results.

Pesticides banned in Europe
Each year PAN UK receives numerous requests from journalists, researchers, NGOs and developing country food companies for information on which pesticides the EU has banned for health or environmental reasons. This information is not easy for the uninitiated or busy enquirer to access from EU official websites. Here PAN UK provide an up-to-date list of those pesticides which are banned or restricted within the EU along with the reasons for regulatory action.
This factsheet was updated in December 2010

Other news, reviews and comment

Quarterly/July 2010

Editorial


Global spread of grassroots action against pesticides
The Week for Pesticide Alternatives provides an annual focus events highlighting the need to develop and use alternatives pesticides. Initiated in France in 2006 it now has events in countries with around 35,000 people participating. Its rapid evidence of the strength of grassroots discontent with global synthetic pesticides.Malissa Phitthayaphone reports.

Pesticides reduce biodiversity
Pesticides are a major factor affecting biological diversity globally, along with habitat loss and climate change. They can be directly toxic to organisms, or cause changes in their habitat and the food chain. Richard Isenring reviews the science for PAN Europe.

New Director takes the reins at PAN UK
PAN UK welcomes a new Director, Keith Tyrell, who brings over 20 years’ experience to the role. Keith joins PAN UK from the Koru Foundation– a charity supporting community scale renewable energy in the developing world– where he was Director of Programmes and Research. He previously spent eight years working on environmental policy at the ENDS Report. He has extensive experience of working with grassroots organisations and ran the European arm of a threeyear international research and advocacy project for WWF. He holds a Doctorate in Development Studies, and MA in Environment Development and Policy– both of which involved research into
pesticide use. Keith lays out his vision for the future of PAN UK.

Plus: PAN UK welcomes new pesticides Minister, Lord Henley

Bt-based IPM boosts cabbage production in North Korea
Food production in the Democratic People ’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), is severely encumbered by persistent agricultural pest problems. To overcome these difficulties, members of CABI have made frequent visits over the past decade to lead a number of IPM projects.Manfred Grossrieder reports on how CABI, with funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), is collaborating with national stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of a general IPM strategy and elaborates on a particular Bt-based project.
Plus US Bans Endosulfan & Endosulfan and the Conventions

Fishing livelihoods threatened by pesticide pollution in Uruguay
The dominant agriculture model in Uruguay is affecting freshwater fishing communities, as a result of the massive use of agrochemicals in large-scale, high input farming, including soya, rice and wheat. This comes as no surprise as the pesticides used on Uruguayan farms are renowned worldwide for their toxicity to aquatic fauna and, in particular, fish.Maria Isabel Cárcamo describes findings from PAN Uruguay’s new report.

Improving organic cotton farmers’ access to neem in Benin
Switching to organic cotton production can significantly improve the health and economic situation of smallholder cotton farmers. However, poor access to organic pest management inputs has deterred many cotton farmers from ‘going organic’. The Organisation Béninoise pour la Promotion de l’Agriculture Biologique is installing mills for grinding neem seed which can then be used to make a biopesticide effective against the cotton bollworm.Davo Simplice Vodouhê reports.

Community health monitoring in Tanzania
The Lake Eyasi Basin in Tanzania has a history of intensive pesticide use. Vegetables are grown throughout the year and pesticides are widely used. A project to reduce pesticide poisoning is having promising results. A Tanzanian organisation, TAPOHE, is training local communities to ‘self monitor’ the impacts of pesticide use in their area. Dr Vera Ngowi reports.

NGO lessons from Nigerian stockpiles programme
Africa Stockpiles Programme projects begin with an accurate inventory of obsolete pesticide stocks, carried out by government staff. At the beginning of the ASP, Nigeria estimated there were around 22 tonnes of obsolete pesticides, which has been increased significantly to 1,664 tonnes following the nationwide inventory. Leslie Adogame from SRADev Nigeria reports on the innovative role of non-governmental organisations in this process in Nigeria.

Other news, reviews and comment

Quarterly/September 2010

Editorial


UK public consultation on EU pesticide legislation
The UK Government has just launched a public consultation on how
European Union pesticides legislation should be being implemented.
This legislation could result in significant changes to the way
pesticides are used in the UK and lead to better protection for the
public and the environment from the negative effects of pesticides.
Nick Mole reports.
Plus Atrazine review reopens in US

Provision of health care for Bhopal survivors
The provision of proper health care for the survivors of the Bhopal
gas disaster has been constrained by inappropriate and sub-standard
treatment in government hospitals. These problems are characteristic
of the poverty-health scenario in India. Homi Katrak shows that the
burden of health-care faced by the Bhopal survivors has been greater
than that incurred by other low-income persons in India. This burden
is exacerbated by a health legacy that means many forgo essentials
which further lowers their standard of living

Resistant weeds cast a shadow over glyphosate-resistant crops
Genetically modified herbicide tolerant (GMHT) crops were sold to
farmers on the basis that they would save money by reducing
herbicide use and make weed control simpler. However, this promise
has rapidly faded as weeds resistant to Roundup, the main herbicide
used with GM crops, have developed. Pete Riley, Campaign Director
for GM Freeze reports.

Do pesticides make people suicidal? – findings from China
Many deaths from pesticide poisoning are a result of suicide. Is this
because those suffering depression are more likely to commit suicide
if suitable means are available? Dr Robert Stewart believes the link is
more insidious and that exposure to neurotoxic pesticides may cause
the suicidal thoughts in the first place. He reports on a recent study in
China

Developing pesticide free rodent control for southern Africa
Rodent populations cause devastating damage within African
communities devastating growing and stored crops, carrying disease
and damaging personal possessions. Steven Belmain reports on the
ECORAT project, in which a consortium of largely African
researchers, worked with communities in Tanzania, Namibia and
Swaziland to develop sustainable and ecological strategies to manage
and reduce and rat populations.

Genetically engineered crops increase pesticide use in United States
Agribusiness’ claims that genetically engineered (GE) crops reduce
pesticide use have been repeatedly challenged by their critics. A new
report from Chuck Benbrook addresses this debate exploring the
impact of GE corn, soybean, and cotton on pesticide use in the United
States (US). Drawing principally on data from the US Department of
Agriculture (USDA), Benbrook finds that GE crops have been
responsible for an increase of 173,700 tonnes of herbicide use in the
US over the first 13 years of commercial use (1996-2008). This
dramatic increase swamps the decrease in insecticide use attributable
to GE corn and cotton, making the overall chemical footprint of
today’s GE crops decidedly negative. The report identifies the primary
cause of the increase - the emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds.

Plus Hundreds of apple farm workers poisoned in Chile

EU finally bans methyl bromide, but promoters aim for re-registration
Despite long-term work to reduce methyl bromide use under the
Montreal Protocol and the recent ban of its use within Europe,
promoters are pressing for its re-registration. Rachel Sutton reports.

Toxic groundwater –Bhopal’s second disaster
The 1984 explosion of the Union Carbide chemical factory in Bhopal,
India, was the world’s worst industrial accident. Eight to ten thousand
people died in the immediate aftermath and many thousands more
died in the following years. Twenty five years have now passed and
the factory site, right in the heart of Old Bhopal, has never been
cleaned up. It continues to release toxic chemicals into Bhopal’s soil
and groundwater. Colin Toogood describes ‘Bhopal’s second disaster’.

Other news, reviews and comment

Quarterly/December 2009

Editorial

Pesticide residues in the Great Barrier Reef
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is one of the world’s most iconic World Heritage-listed ecosystems but is currently under threat from a range of environmental insults including climate change and pollution. Recent reseach has shown that herbicides from agricultural runoff have been found in the GBR lagoon at concentrations capable of harming keystone marine plants. The agricultural sector and state and national governments have responded by encouraging the implementation of improved management practices across the GBR catchment area. Stephen Lewis, Rob Milla, Jon Brodie, Zoë Bainbridge and Aaron Davis report.


Birds and pesticides: is the threat of a silent spring really behind us?
What would Rachel Carson say if she came back today? Would she still be sounding the alarm about a world without the sound of birds in our fields and forests? In this year’s Rachel Carson Memorial Lecture, Senior Research Scientist for Environment Canada Pierre Mineau describes why Rachel Carson warned of a ‘silent spring.’Dr. Mineau discusses what happened when we switched from organochlorines like DDT to newer pesticides that were less persistent but dangerous to birds in different ways. Forty-seven years after the publication of Carson’s ground-breaking book, uncounted millions of birds around the world continue to die from pesticides. The industry still resists regulation and governments are slow to deal with the problem. Nevertheless, Dr. Mineau sees some reasons for hope.

Shropshire sheep control weeds in orchards
Fruit growers in Europe have found a novel way to reduce the use of herbicides known to contaminate ground and surface waters in many countries. Pippa Geddes and Raimund Kohl report on how Shropshire sheep are being used to control weeds in orchards.

EU biocide proposals fail to protect health and the environment
On 12 June 2009 the EU Commission published its draft regulation to review current biocide legislation, a step necessary due to the numerous shortcomings in the implementation of the 1998 Biocidal Product Directive. PAN Germany is highly critical of the draft which privileges the interests of a risky chemical industry. Christian Schweer reports.

Pesticide education for school children in Nigeria
With the first phase of the Africa Stockpiles Programme due to end in 2010/2011, NGOs are looking to the future - how to sustain the impacts of the programme once funding ends. In Nigeria, PAN UK supported an innovative project to educate the farmers and decision makers of tomorrow. Ndubuisi Adikuru and Christopher Echereobia report on its success.

Pesticides in well water increase risk of Parkinson’s disease
Although first described over 100 years ago the causes of Parkinson’s disease are still not clear. However, several lines of evidence implicate exposure to pesticides. Nicole Gatto, Myles Cockburn, Jeff Bronstein, Angelika Manthripragada and Beate Ritz review the area and report on their most recent findings.

Other news, reviews and comment

Quarterly/September 2009

Editorial

UK retailer steps up action on pesticides
With customers increasingly concerned about the impacts of pesticides on their health and the environment, Marks and Spencer is stepping up its strategy to regulate and reduce pesticide use within their supply chain. Sam Franklin reports.

Pesticide run off into English rivers – a big problem for farmers
Recent work has shown that pesticides applied to land are almost certain to run off into water courses. This is set to have a major impact on British farming as requirements on the UK government to comply with EU drinking water guidelines will pressure farmers to reduce use or lead to further pesticide bans. Bob Evans reports.

Pesticide poisoning in West Africa
Endosulfan was recently banned in West African cotton, partly because of concerns over health impacts on smallholder farmers. PAN Africa and its partners have been documenting poisoning cases for 10 years now, and Mourtada Thiam and Eloise Touni present some results from their research.

Groups step up action on soya pesticides in Argentina
An emerging public health crisis is affecting Argentina’s soya zones. Residents are experiencing health problems which they attribute to the intensively sprayed pesticides, glyphosate and endosulfan. A campaign to stop the spraying has been gaining ground in the provinces of Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Entre Rios and Santa Fe. At the beginning of 2009 there was a judicial ruling in Córdoba which may have important national and international consequences. StephanieWilliamson reports.

Europe moves towards IPM – the case of Slovakia
As EU Member States begin discussions on how to implement Integrated Pest Management under the new pesticide framework directive, PAN Europe and its member NGOs are examining existing private and public sector IPM schemes throughout Europe. Daniel Lesinsky discusses the situation in Slovakia.

Cotton IPM impact in Ethiopia
Cotton is extensively grown in Ethiopia by large and small-scale farms. Due to its heavy reliance on chemical pest control, cotton is a high priority target for developing an IPM system. But the biggest challenge for promoting more sustainable cotton pest management is convincing farmers that they can produce good yields with reduced or zero pesticide use. Tadesse Amera reports on impacts of the cotton IPM training in Ethiopia’s Rift Valley.

Helping cocoa farmers adjust to new EU pesticide laws
The globalisation of agricultural trade has left farmers in developing countries vulnerable to the changing demands of importing countries. Just last year the European Union introduced legislation requiring that all produce sold in Europe should contain no residues above certain specified levels. How will this affect smallholder cocoa growers in West Africa who are often illiterate and have limited access to information? Mike Rutherford reports on a new initiative to help these growers comply with the new regulations.

Farmer field schools for Kenya’s tea growers
The approach of the Farmer Field Schools has recently been adopted to help Kenya's tea growers improve the sustainablity and profitablity of thier crop. Gail Smith reports on its success.

IPM implementation - overcoming barriers to grower adoption
In California, the birthplace of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) concept 50 years ago, there are still many practical and ideological barriers which deter growers from adopting IPM. Drawing on over 30 years experience Cliff Ohmart gives a personal view of these barriers and what can be done to overcome them.

Other news, reviews and comment
• Managing farmland sustainably
• Supporting African organic cotton farmers
• Report examines pesticide effects on bees
• End of the road for endosulfan
• Are there pesticides in your school?

Editorial

OP sheep dips – new study sheds light on an old problem
Many former sheep farmers in the UK believe their health has been permanently damaged by using
organophosphate sheep dips. Now a new study confirms that even low level exposure can lead to
long-term neurological damage. Ruth Beckmann reports.

Challenges for organic and IPM farmers in Senegal
PAN Africa works with small-scale vegetable farmers trained in organic and integrated pest management
looking to improve marketing options. Marie Suzanne Traoré reports on findings from a recent survey of
smallholder experiences in growing and marketing vegetables with reduced or zero pesticide inputs.

African NGOs outline commitment to malaria control without DDT
The controversy over DDT use in Africa continues. Does it pose unacceptable health and environmental risks?
Or is it the only affordable solution to the endemic problem of malaria? Jamidu HY Katima and
Silvani Mng’anya report.

A new tool for improving organic cotton yields in Africa
PAN UK and their partners undertook intensive research in Benin, West Africa, between 2006 and 2008 to
develop a novel pest management tool for organic cotton. Davo Simplice Vodouhê, Robert Mensah,
Damien Sanfilippo and Gervais Assogba report on this promising new technology.

The GM cotton debate – science or ideology
According to an article published in the UK’s Daily Mail newspaper, GM cotton is responsible for the tragic deaths
of thousands of Indian cotton farmers who committed suicide last year after their harvest failed. Organisations
such as the the International Food Policy Research Institute were prompt to counter these claims, arguing that
genetically modified (GM) cotton had benefited farmers’ livelihoods in India. Rarely has a technology provoked
such polarised and passionate argument. Damien Sanfilippo weighs in on the debate.

Biological control of armyworm in Africa – pitfalls and solutions
Caterpillars of the African armyworm moth are a major pest in sub-Saharan Africa. Kenneth Wilson,
David Grzywacz and Wilfred Mushobozi discuss the problems associated with developing sustainable
biocontrol solutions for Africa.

Garlic – from Nature’s ancient food to nematicide
With the imperative to protect crops from pest damage while protecting the environment there is a clear need
for ‘green’ alternatives to synthetic pesticides. UK-based company, ECOspray, has steered a course through
the EU and UK pesticide regulatory frameworks to finally bring a garlic-based product to market. Its story is one
of dogged determination in the face of numerous set-backs. Dr. Awais Anwar, Dr. Murree Groom and
David Sadler-Bridge report.

Better food security for Senegal’s organic farmers
Cotton farmers in Africa are at the mercy of fluctuating prices on world markets. Jörg John reports on
developments in Koussanar, South Senegal.

Other news, reviews and comment
• DDT study prompts Ethiopia to adopt safer malaria control
• Can export markets respect sustainable development?
• New PAN Publications

Editorial

Cotton farmers grow food as well as fibre
Millions of farmers in developing countries depend on cotton as their main source of income but are vulnerable to volatile prices in world markets. Organic cotton clearly provides solutions to the negative health and environmental impacts of agrochemical-intensive production but does it keep farmers locked into dependency on export markets? Does it address food security issues? Alexandra Perschau and Stephanie Williamson address these questions.

Improving livelihoods for organic cotton farmers
In West Africa organic cotton is mainly grown by smallholder farmers. Their annual incomes are often meagre and many struggle to support their families. Organic Exchange have surveyed additional crops grown by these farmers which are, by default, also organic. They are also exploring how these ‘food system crops’ can best be marketed to improve farmers incomes. Liesl Truscott reports on the findings.

Cleaning a polluted site in Mali
Mali is one of seven countries in the Africa Stockpiles Programme, where government-led teams have been identifying and safeguarding toxic stockpiles of obsolete pesticides. A heavily contaminated site in Molodo urgently required soil remediation as it was contaminating local groundwater supplies. Demba Sidibe and Cheikh Hamallah Sylla report on a locally appropriate technology for soil remediation.

Endosulfan banned in West Africa
Abou Thiamof PAN Africa explains the origin of the ban and key requirements to ensure its implementation.

Final hurdle cleared towards EU blacklist
After years of discussion and lobbying, the European Parliament has decided to remove the most hazardous pesticides from its markets. Elliott Cannell reports on this much-welcomed decision.

Other news, reviews and comment
• Startling figures reveal pesticide health assaults
• Organics and pesticide reduction in Cuba
• Sick of pesticides: a new campaign to change policy
• New PAN Publications

Editorial
 

UK High Court rules to protect rural residents
After a seven year campaign culminating in a High Court case against the UK Government, Georgina Downs has won an historic victory. On 14 November the High Court ruled that the UK Government has systematically failed to protect rural residents from the effects of long term pesticide exposure. Nick Mole reports..

Ethiopian NGOs work to improve conditions for flower producers
In many countries increased revenue from flower production has come at a high price. Floriculture has been plagued by low standards of health and environmental safety including high pesticide use. Ethiopia’s new floriculture industry has the opportunity to learn from their mistakes. Tadesse Amera and Nigussu Aklilu describe how Ethiopian NGOs are working to ensure this happens.

Mixed progress on endosulfan at International Conventions
For many years labour and environmental activists, appalled by the spectre of continued endosulfan poisonings, have worked for its demise.

Kenyan floriculture leads the way
In a decade Kenya has trasnformed its burgeoning flower production industry. Instead of high pesticide and fertilizer inputs many flower farms now rely on predatory insects to control pests. Louise Labuschagne of the Real IPM Company follows their journey.

Drift endangers school children and residents
For the second year in row, pesticides have been found in the air near a Florida elementary school. Children are routinely exposed to a toxic mix of pesticides, including endosulfan, a dangerous nerve poison banned in many parts of the world. Karl Tupper of PAN North America reports.

Can certification stop high soy pesticide use?
Soy cultivation is rapidly expanding to meet Europe’s demand for biofuel. Certification initiatives are being set up in an attempt to ensure environmental standards including minimisation of pesticide use. Stella Semino questions their effectiveness when soy is grown in large-scale monoculture with high yields the top priority.

Prevention, not profit, should drive pest management
Multi-nationals have driven pest management down a route of maximum corporate profit. In this year’s Rachel Carson Memorial Lecture Chuck Benbrook questions the wisdom of their strategies and advocates more integrated approaches to pest management.

Other News
• PAN Europe reveals highest ever levels of pesticides in foods
• Pesticides in grapes: illegal, unauthorised and unsafe
• Flowers – a tale of beauty and the beast

Editorial

Time to act on endosulfan
The future of one of the world’s most notorious pesticides is up for debate this autumn with scientific experts and farmworker advocates calling for a global ban. Dr MerielWatts of PAN Aotearoa New Zealand reviews the situation and presents the evidence for a ban.

Canadians say ‘no’ to cosmetic pesticides
Canada leads the way in banning non-essential pesticide use. Over 40% of the population now live in a town or province which prohibits the use of lawn pesticides. Ronald Macfarlane provides an overview.

Rural communities in Paraguay endangered by soya pesticides
GM soya is cultivated in vast monocultures and requires intensive pesticide spraying. In this journal we have reported on the social and environmental problems this has brought to a number of South American countries. StephanieWilliamson now reports on new studies from Paraguay showing the devastating impact of GM soya on rural communities. She also questions the effectiveness of initiatives to certify more responsible production practices.

Plant clinics help curb pesticide use in Bangladesh
Paula Kelly and Jeffery Bentley of CABI’s Global Plant Clinic were concerned to learn the extent of the misuse of pesticides in Bangladesh. Working with local partners Harun-Ar-Rashid, AKM Zakaria and Mostafa Nuruzzaman to investigate ways of improving the flow of advice, they report on innovative plant health services for farmers.

New era for agriculture?
A new report sponsored by the United Nations and endorsed by 58 governments has criticised ‘green revolution’ technologies and come down firmly in favour of more ecological-based and socially just farming systems to tackle world poverty. Marcia Ishii-Eiteman reports

Regulatory system fails UK gardeners
GAcross the UK allotment gardeners have been losing crops as a result of using manure contaminated with the herbicide aminopyralid. The persistence of the herbicide had been seriously underestimated raising questions about whether the approval process adequately protects the public from the effects of pesticides. Nick Mole reports.

A world without bees

Other News