Conclusions

   Delegates² who attended the consultation meeting held in Rome from 12 to 14 December 1994 organized under the auspices of FAO, unanimously adopted the following points:

• stocks of obsolete and unwanted pesticides are a serious environmental problem with international dimensions;
• a large share of these pesticides are leftovers from pesticide donations provided under aid programmes;
• all major donors and aid agencies in one way or another have been involved;
• the problem of obsolete and unwanted pesticide stocks is an international issue which recipient countries, aid agencies, donor countries and the pesticide industry have a joint responsibility to address;
• reduction and prevention of the generation of hazardous waste as called for in UNCED Agenda 21 must be a priority.

   Recipient countries, donor governments, aid agencies and the pesticide industry were called upon to:

• prevent the accumulation of obsolete and unwanted pesticides by implementing the recommendations of the provisional FAO Guidelines on Prevention of Accumulation of Obsolete Pesticide Stocks;
• support project activities to dispose of existing stockpiles of obsolete pesticides in developing countries and countries in transition in a safe and environmentally sound manner;
• strengthen capacities and capabilities in recipient countries as a primary measure to prevent accumulation of obsolete and unwanted pesticide stocks and in support of the further implementation of the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides.

   Requests were made to FAO to encourage and enhance cooperation and coordination among parties involved in, or interested in, addressing the problem of obsolete and unwanted pesticide stocks. This would include:

• facilitation of disposal operations for obsolete stocks;
• facilitation of the development and implementation of strategies for prevention of accumulation of obsolete and unwanted pesticide stocks;
• provision of services as a reference centre for information on pesticide disposal matters;
• organization of meetings as necessary for parties involved in, or interested in, pesticide disposal activities;
• identification of obsolete stocks that require urgent action on the basis of human health and environmental concerns, and initiation of disposal operations and strategies for prevention of accumulation of obsolete and unwanted pesticide stocks by bringing together government authorities, aid agencies and other interested parties.

   Requests were also made to strengthen capacities and capabilities of developing countries and countries in transition to prevent accumulation of obsolete pesticide stocks.