Food Safety, health and environmental monitoring
Guidance on use of pesticide regulation to prevent suicide [2023]
The document provides guidance, particularly for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), in cooperating with relevant stakeholders on best practices in using regulation to prevent suicides with agricultural pesticides.
Submission and evaluation of pesticide residues data for the estimation of maximum residue levels in food and feed by the FAO Panel of Experts of the JMPR [2016] (also available in French, Spanish and Chinese)
This Manual includes information on the procedures involved in the selection of compounds, the data requirements for estimating maximum residue levels, and the principles followed in the evaluation of experimental results and information provided. The assessments carried out by the JMPR is comprised of three main categories:
- review of new compounds (compounds evaluated by the JMPR for the first time)
- review of compounds under the periodic review programme
- evaluation of new information relating to compounds other than new or periodic review chemicals
- Guidelines on Prevention and Management of Pesticide Resistance [2012] (also available in French, Spanish and Arabic): These guidelines address the problem of pesticide resistance in agriculture and how to limit its development while continuing to protect crops from pests. The guidelines are intended for scientific, technical, and policy experts who prepare or evaluate pesticide resistance management plans, and for pesticide regulators who assess the risk of resistance development during registration of new pesticides or renewal of already approved products.
- Guidelines on developing a reporting system for health and environmental incidents resulting from exposure to pesticides [2009] (also available in French, Spanish and Arabic): The purpose of these guidelines is to assist governments in taking the first step in the development and establishment of a basic reporting program for pesticide incidents, which have been defined as situations where pesticide exposure has resulted in a health or environmental problem. The guidelines provide direction on how to collect information about pesticide incidents, the type of information that should be collected, and how to analyze the data in order to determine if the use of a pesticide requires further risk mitigation actions or further in-depth monitoring.
- Guidelines on monitoring and observance of the Code of Conduct [2006] (also available in French and Spanish): These guidelines are designed to provide a user-friendly approach for governments and other stakeholders, including NGOs, the pesticide industry, and other industries, to participate effectively in monitoring observance under the revised Code of Conduct. The Guidelines identify information to be gathered and ways to ensure that it will be accessible and used effectively to support further implementation of the Code of Conduct.
- Guidelines on post-registration surveillance and other activities in the field of pesticides [1988]: These guidelines have been developed to address this need and ensure that the registration objectives are adequately met. The guidelines evolve from common post-registration practices in many countries, especially the following:
- Various monitoring activities
- Training programmes on safe use of pesticides
- Licensing schemes for pesticide handlers and companies
- Enforcement of regulations and suitable control measures
- Information exchange