In March 2009, the repackaged stocks in Attenf and Aleppo were inspected and found to be in excellent condition and in full conformance with the requirement of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods code for shipment by sea to France. A transport plan was developed for the delivery of the drums to the port of Lattakia for Tredi to load into shipping containers.
The international movement of hazardous waste is controlled by the Basel Convention to which Syria is a party. The Competent Authority for the Basel Convention in Syria has submitted a notification for the authorization of the movement and disposal of the in France. The first shipment of the obsolete pesticides are expected to take place early in the new year with all stocks eliminated by December 2010.
The activities to strengthen of sustainable pest and pesticide management will also initiate early in 2010. The main activities are:
- the development an IPM approach to the control of sunna pest in wheat which will reduce Syria’s reliance on synthetic chemical pesticides;
- training for customs officials to assist them in controlling imports of pesticides;
- training of trainers for medical practitioners in the diagnosis and treatment of pesticide poisoning;
- introduction of FAO’s Pesticide Stock Management System to allow Syria to better control its imports, distribution and use of pesticides;
- Strengthening the capacity of the staff at the pesticide quality control laboratory
- Reviewing and updating the pesticide legislation
- Training Ministry of Health staff who are responsible for applying public health pesticides
- Recommending a national strategy for the management of hazardous chemical wastes
- and reviewing the regulation for the chemical manufacturing industry of Syria.
The project will continue until September 2011.
