Hazardous pesticides removed from Yemen
Tonnes
of obsolete pesticides posing serious health and environmental hazards
in the Republic of Yemen have been collected and shipped to the United
Kingdom for incineration under the supervision of the FAO Plant Protection
Service.
Over 260 tonnes were cleaned up from 20 sites in the countryside and towns (see field map below). Among the chemicals found included unwanted and banned stocks such as dieldrin, DDT and various types of organophosphates that have led to soil contamination.
In the fight against desert locusts, black aphids and other crop-threatening pests, agrochemical companies, donor countries and recipient governments are all responsible for the steady build up of obsolete pesticides.
Many pesticides were banned or withdrawn after they had already been acquired. Others were of an inferior quality to start with and could not be used, while some had outlived their shelf-life as feared pest outbreaks did not take place.
Leaking containers and poor storage facilities added to the dangers. The FAO mission report adds, "Owing to a lack of adequate management skills, or training of storekeepers, regular stock-taking and the principle of first-come-first-out was seldom practised."
Despite the successful clean-up some pesticides remain. An estimated 30 tonnes of unknown pesticides were buried in the early Eighties close to an irrigation scheme of the Surdod State Farm in the western part of the country, which was then managed by a foreign company.
These pesticides have now dispersed through ground water and contaminated tonnes of soil. This poses a serious environmental hazard and risks to human health and FAO is proposing that a project be formulated to dig up the pollutants.
As part of a follow-up to the team's visit, FAO has recommended:
- the implementation of an appropriate storage system
- ensuring safety measures during distribution and handling of pesticides
- use of FAO guidelines on prevention of accumulation of obsolete pesticides.
Meanwhile, the Second Consultation on Disposal of Obsolete and Unwanted Pesticide Stocks in Africa and the Near East is due to be held at FAO from 2 to 3 September in Rome. The agenda will include regional reports on unwanted pesticide accumulation and future disposal policies.
Pesticide clean-ups could cost US$500 million
