Abbreviations
In most developing countries, large stocks of
obsolete pesticides have accumulated over the years as a result of
prolonged storage or because they have been banned from use. Obsolete
pesticides are hazardous waste. Owing to the absence of
environmentally sound disposal facilities in developing countries,
the quantity of obsolete pesticide stocks is constantly on the
increase. Storage conditions rarely meet internationally accepted
standards and drums are often stored in the open exposed to harsh
weather conditions which accelerate the wear and tear of containers.
Many containers deteriorate and leak their liquid contents into the
soil, eventually severely contaminating groundwater and the
environment while the powder contents of worn or torn bags and
cardboard boxes are often dispersed into the environment by wind or
rain. Most stores are in the centres of populated urban areas or
close to public dwellings or bodies of water. The total quantity of
obsolete pesticide stocks in non-Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries is estimated to be well
in excess of 100 000 tonnes of which 20 000 to 30 000 tonnes are in
Africa. A significant share of these stocks are leftovers of
pesticides supplied under various aid arrangements. The problem is
colossal and a concerted global effort is required to minimize the
damage.
In 1993, with financial assistance from the
Government of the Netherlands, FAO started a project to develop
strategies for addressing the problem of obsolete pesticide stocks.
As part of this project, and as a result of its findings, a donor
consultation was convened from 12 to 14 December 1994 to solicit
cooperation from the international community.
The three-day meeting was attended by
representatives of donor countries, aid agencies and international
organizations. Representatives of regional organizations in Africa
provided an overview of the magnitude of the problem and FAO
presented the first results of an inventory of obsolete stocks in
Africa and the Near East. Disposal methods and strategies for the
prevent of further accumulation were discussed, as were mechanisms
for cooperation and coordination and the role of FAO as a clearing
house. The attending agencies welcomed proposals for cooperation,
coordination and a regular exchange of information. In a resolution
the meeting called on governments and aid agencies to help prevent a
further accumulation of stocks of obsolete pesticides and to assist
countries to dispose of their present stocks .
In the second half of 1995, FAO published
guidelines on prevention of accumulation of obsolete pesticide
stocks. Guidelines on the safe and environmentally sound disposal of
obsolete pesticides, a collaborative effort of FAO, WHO and UNEP, are
expected to follow soon.
2 - The
situation with regard to obsolete pesticides in Africa and the Near
East
Presentations by representatives of regional organizations in Africa and the Near East
Results of inventory of obsolete pesticides in Africa and the Near East
3 -
Presentations by agency representatives on pesticide disposal
activities
4 -
Evaluation of recommended disposal methods
5 -
Activities of international organizations relevant to pesticide
disposal
6 - Donor
policies on pesticide donations: pest and pesticide management
7 - Draft
guidelines on prevention of accumulation of obsolete pesticide
stocks
8 - The role
of fao in mechanisms for international cooperation
Global view of the pesticide situation
Scope for cooperation and coordination
1 Countries involved
2 Overview of disposal operations undertaken
3 FAO specifications for plant protection products
4 Guidelines developed in support of the FAO Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticide
5 Solutions to the pesticide treadmill that affects developing countries
6 List of participants at the consultation meeting
|
DANIDA |
Danish International Development Agency |
|
DGIS |
Directorate General International Cooperation |
|
DLCO-EA |
Desert Locust Control Organization for Eastern Africa |
|
EU |
European Union |
|
GIFAP |
International Group of National Associations of Agrochemical Manufacturers |
|
GTZ |
German Agency for Technical Cooperation |
|
IATA |
International Air Transport Association |
|
ICAO |
International Civil Aviation Organization |
|
IMO |
International Maritime Organization |
|
IPM |
Integrated Pest Management |
|
IRLCO-CSA |
International Red Locust Control Organization for Central and Southern Africa |
|
IRPTC |
International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals |
|
NGO |
Non-governmental organization |
|
OECD |
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development |
|
PPD |
Plant Protection Directorate |
|
ULV |
Ultra low volume |
|
UNCED |
United Nations Conference On Environment and Development |
|
UNEP |
United Nations Environment Programme |
|
USAID |
United States Agency for International Development |
|
USEPA |
United States Environmental Protection Agency |
|
WHO |
World Health Organization |
Most developing countries are facing problems with obsolete stocks of pesticides that are regarded as a severe threat to the environment and public health. Safe and environmentally sound disposal facilities are rarely available in developing countries. Governments wishing to address this problem often lack standards and directions and, over recent years, FAO has been requested repeatedly by its Member States for advice. As a result of these requests a project, GCP/INT/572/NET, on "Prevention and disposal of obsolete and unwanted pesticide stocks in Africa and the Near East: Phase 1"was established with funding from the Government of the Netherlands. The aim of this two-year project is to lay a foundation for more comprehensive multilateral efforts. Project activities planned include:
Factors contributing to the accumulation of obsolete pesticides include:
The problem of obsolete pesticide stocks is
far-reaching, global and urgent. Long-term effects may have
widespread implications and incalculable adverse effects on human
health and the environment. It is therefore necessary that this
important issue be addressed without delay.
It was against such a background that a
consultation meeting was convened for donor agencies, relevant UN
agencies and other international organizations.
The objectives of the consultation were to provide a forum for exchange of information and discussion and to enhance cooperation and coordination among agencies involved in pesticide disposal. In more detail the objectives were to:
It is envisaged that a second consultative meeting will be held in early 1996.
The Director-General of FAO invited relevant aid
agencies and public international organizations. About 15
organizations attended the meeting and several others expressed
interest but were unable to attend because of other obligations. A
list of participants is presented in Annex 6.
With the exception of three participants from
Africa and the Near East, all participating organizations covered
their own costs for attending the meeting.
The meeting was formally opened by Mr. Sombroek, Director Land and Water Development Division (AGL), who, on behalf of the Director-General of FAO, welcomed the participants and thanked the Government of the Netherlands for funding the meeting.
"On behalf of the Director-General of FAO, Mr.
Jacques Diouf, I wish to welcome you to the first FAO meeting on
Prevention and Disposal of Obsolete and Unwanted Pesticide Stocks in
Africa and the Near East.
There may be well over 100 000 tonnes of obsolete pesticides in
non-OECD countries. These are no less than chemical time bombs.
Leakage, seepage and various accidents related to pesticides are
quite common and widespread. The implication to human health and the
environment is potentially grave.
In Africa alone, up to 20 000-30 000 tonnes of obsolete pesticides
are estimated to exist, excluding contaminated soil, materials and
containers. This situation is both very grave and urgent. A concerted
international effort is the only remedy both to clean up this
situation and to avoid further accumulation of pesticides.
A large proportion of accumulated obsolete
pesticides in Africa are part of a series of consignments or
donations that have become leftovers. Most of them could not be used
because they were not needed at the time of import, their shelf-life
had expired while awaiting pest outbreaks and so forth. Some are part
of emergency assistance or are a component of aid arrangements not
requested by the recipients. There is a whole range of collective
responsibilities: the recipient governments, donor countries, aid
agencies and agrochemical companies have all contributed in some
ways. To alleviate this situation, a massive global mobilization of
resources is needed. A consensus also needs to be developed on
suitable, environmentally acceptable disposal strategies. At this
stage, much interest, hope and commitment have been expressed in
support of a global effort but only a few have taken initiatives for
action on prevention and disposal.
At this juncture, I wish to take the opportunity to say that FAO
would like to express its deep appreciation to the Government of the
Netherlands for its financial support and for having made possible,
through FAO, the beginning of international cooperation in the
development of strategies for the removal of obsolete pesticides.
This first meeting is the result of that support.
I also wish to mention with appreciation the
efforts made to date to remove obsolete wastes. These include the
removal and safe disposal by GTZ/USAID and Shell Company of 56 000 l
of Dieldrin from the Niger in 1991, the removal by FAO of 50 000 l
from Uganda in 1993 and the removal and disposal of obsolete
pesticides by GTZ from at least two countries in Africa.
Obsolete pesticides are drawbacks to the
development effort of many developing countries mainly because of
lack of both resources and expertise. The removal of waste pesticides
and their disposal in an environmentally safe manner may not be
considered development-oriented. On the other hand, if people engaged
in agriculture are affected, if the environment becomes hazardous and
uninhabitable, if human life and animals are at risk, if water and
soil are contaminated, development schemes are also bound to
fail.
Therefore, in view of the urgency, the global
importance and the magnitude of the problem, FAO has convened this
meeting to provide a forum for discussions and understanding, for the
exchange of information and experiences and for the discussion of
strategies for cooperation and coordination of activities, with the
objective of saving resources and avoiding duplication of
efforts.
Once again, on behalf on FAO and the
Director-General, I wish to express my thanks and appreciation for
your patience, for the effort you have made to attend this meeting,
for being ready to listen, to understand and to share the collective
responsibilities, for being eager to realize the common problem which
is important and for which we need common effort and commitment.
Without these qualities, it will be difficult to make advances in
solving the huge problem of obsolete pesticides.
The information you may be exchanging with each
other and the motivation and drive you may be experiencing during
this meeting can be the foundation for the development of the global
effort required to clean up pesticide wastes caused by human
beings.
I wish you a very successful meeting and a very
enjoyable stay in Rome."