Who we are?

International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides

• FAO Pesticide Management Guidelines

Pesticide Residues in Food and the Environment

• Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR)
  (Maximum Pesticide Residue Levels (MRLs) in Food and the Environment)
• Codex Alimentarius: Database on Maximum Limits for Pesticide Residue in Foods

Pesticide Specifications and Quality Control Standards

Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Specification (JMPS)

Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent (PIC) - Information on Certain Hazardous Pesticides and Industrial Chemicals in International Trade

Prevention and Disposal of Obsolete Pesticides

Management of Pesticides

---

FAOs activities regarding Pesticide Management aim at managing the risks associated with the use of pesticides. These risks are multifaceted and there is no single effective approach to their resolution. To find effective solutions, it is important that activities be considered in the context of an overall programme of crop protection and government policy with respect to pesticide use. The International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides addresses these issues. The analysis of the implementation of the Code of Conduct allows conclusions to be drawn on the present global situation on the management of pesticides.

The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure provides for an exchange of information concerning chemicals which are banned or severely restricted.

FAO proposes jointly with WHO maximum residue levels for individual pesticide in different foods and feed items, and provides advice on the acceptable levels of pesticide residues in food moving in international trade.

FAO establishes pesticide specifications as product quality criteria for all pesticides.  Joint FAO/WHO pesticide specifications are developed for pesticides used for agricultural purposes and for public health.

FAO is actively involved in helping countries establish and strengthen their plant protection capabilities, advising on organisation and management, providing operational guidelines and training scientific and technical personnel. This also includes strengthening food control through laboratory assessment, training in laboratory management and residue analysis, and publication of specifications for pesticides and manuals for pesticide analysis and quality assurance in food control chemical laboratories.

These activities include training in the safe, efficient and environmentally sound management of pesticides, establishing laboratory infrastructures for quality control of pesticides and residues, as well as the prevention and disposal of obsolete and unwanted pesticides.