5. Pesticides

Guidelines for Country Report:

5.1 List of Regulations and Legislation

Observations (from 21 country reports)

• Almost all countries have legislation regulating the use of pesticides
• More than half the countries provided the list of legislation
• The number of registered pesticides ranges from 100 to almost 2 500
• At least 5 countries are pesticide exporters; most countries may have formulation plants.

Notes

• It is assumed that legislation regulates pesticide registration and aims to restrict the use of hazardous chemicals
• Different legislation regulates production, import, sale and use of pesticides
• Existence of legislation is not an indication of enforcement and safety
• Legislation should be proportional to the pesticide risks and usage

To Be Considered

• Periodically update the list of legislation
• Categorize legislation into sub-components, e.g. registration, import permits, licensing, etc.

5.2 Status of Ratification and Implementation of Rotterdam Convention, Challenges and Opportunities

Observations (from 21 country reports)

• Even though 10 countries had ratified the convention, only 4 country reports acknowledged this
• More than half the countries did not respond, possibly uninformed about the status
• Manufacturing/exporting countries have ratified the convention
• Since PIC was already included in the Code of Conduct in 1989, most countries claim to implement the convention even without having ratified it
• Most importing countries have banned/restricted PIC chemicals
• While most countries did not report any difficulties, China cited lack of personnel for enforcement of illegal action, Malaysia lacks risk assessment expertise and finds it difficult to convene all stakeholders to decide about future status, particularly without sufficient data; Nepal excluded methyl-parathion and monocrotophos from the PIC procedure because of lack of alternatives.

Notes

• Not all reporting institutions appear fully aware of the status of the convention
• Implementation both on legal and voluntary basis
• Some countries may not fully implement the convention since they are not challenged by its requirements

To Be Considered

• More details about level of implementation

5.3 Implementation of International Code of Conduct

Observations (from 21 country reports)

• Nine countries affirmed their commitment to the Code of Conduct, but only few provided details
• Implementation is often reflected in existence of legislation, registration and licensing
• Code is linked with GAP, safe use training, product stewardship

Notes

• Not enough information to assess the status of Code implementation
• Implementation may vary greatly between countries

To Be Considered

• More specific questions about Code implementation

5.4 Monitoring and Management of Pesticide Residues

Observations (from 21 country reports)

• Most countries have pesticide residue laboratories; the annual number of analyses ranges from 0 to over 23 000; only two countries reported details on samples exceeding MRL
• Only two countries reported a linkage to enforcement authorities
• Some residue monitoring is on imported and exported products
• Pesticide residues are monitored for registration and post-registration purposes
• Human and environmental monitoring was only reported once each
• China also monitors the insect resistance to pesticide residues

Notes

• Many reporting institutions seemed uninformed about residue monitoring, possibly because many food monitoring programmes are the responsibility or health authorities
• Only few post-registration (environmental and health) monitoring programmes

To Be Considered

• Distinguish between pesticide residue monitoring for export, import, or local food and the environment
• Use number of analyses as indicator of size of monitoring programmes

5.5 Development and Application Status of Biopesticides Including Botanical Pesticides

Observations (from 21 country reports)

• Biopesticides are used in most countries
• Registration procedures exist in many countries; number of registered products ranges from a few to about 100
• No information on the amount of products used in relation to pesticides

Notes

• The use of biopesticides is being encouraged and increasing
• Market share of biopesticides unknown

To Be Considered

• Key indicators:
  – % biopesticides of total registrations
  – Sales statistics

5.6 List of Banned/Prohibited Pesticides (Year, Insecticide, Fungicide, Herbicide)

Observations (from 21 country reports)

• All responding countries had banned or restricted pesticides; or had cancelled registrations
• The number of banned pesticides ranged from 12 to 96; 9 countries provided lists, 4 only numbers
• Nine countries had restricted the use of certain pesticide formulations; the number of products ranged from 4 to 31

Notes

• Most banned/restricted pesticides may be PIC or POP chemicals
• Many hazardous chemicals may be still widely used

To Be Considered

• Update lists of banned products to show changes over time

5.7 Name and Address of National Authority for Pesticide Registration

Observations (from 21 country reports)

• 12 countries provided the address of the pesticide registration authority
• In three cases was the address the same as for the NPQO/NPPO

Notes

• Pesticide management is either a separate branch of plant protection or a separate authority

To Be Considered

• Update address on country fact sheet