The year 2005 coincides with the 20th anniversary of the existence of the Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides, which was adopted in November 1985 at the 23rd Session of the FAO Conference. The Code is comprehensive; it addresses the full life-cycle of a pesticide, from production to use - and if necessary to disposal and/or protection - at every step of the way.
The Code was revised in 2002 and the changes were adopted by all FAO member countries as well as some non-governmental organizations and pesticide industry associations. The present revised version of the Code is not only an up-to-date standard for pesticide management, it is also a dynamic instrument.
The Regional Workshop on the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides: Implementation, Monitoring and Observance was organized by the FAO Regional Office for Asia and Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand of this year to strengthen both monitoring and observance of the revised Code of Conduct and the application of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies in the region.
The results showed that all Asian countries attending the workshop are genuinely committed to implementing the Code and have made significant progress in promoting the judicious and responsible use of pesticides in support of sustainable agricultural development and improved public health. It was noted that all participating countries have passed national legislation to regulate the use of pesticides and have established institutions to register the products used in their respective countries. Products that are highly hazardous to the user, consumer or the environment have been banned or severely restricted and support has been given to the IPM approach as a means to promote less hazardous and more environmentally friendly alternatives.
However, important national information gaps were noted which limit the ability of the governments to assess the effectiveness of their policies and to propose improvements. For such policies to benefit country development, a broader-based implementation of pest and pesticide management is needed, particularly efforts to educate the public, especially farmers. The Workshop made several suggestions to further improve the monitoring questionnaire and its understanding, and adopted several findings to strengthen the implementation of the Code of Conduct.
It should be stressed that the Code is an accepted tool - which should be applied nationally, regionally and internationally - and implementation of its provisions is the key which will lead to the protection of human and environmental health, to sustainable agricultural development and to better economic, social and environmental conditions.
He
Changchui
Assistant Director-General and
FAO Regional Representative for
Asia and the Pacific
