April 2017 – A field survey of interviews with hundreds of rural families across Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe indicates that although the use of organic alternatives to hazardous pesticides is gaining pace, the threats posed by the misuse of toxic chemicals persist.

The findings were presented at a subregional consultation meeting held by the Rotterdam Convention (RC) and FAO in Cabo Verde’s capital, Praia this March. Representatives from Angola, Burkina Faso, Brazil, Guinea-Bissau, Italy, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe joined participants from the islands off the west coast of Africa to discuss further measures to reduce risks, improve the enforcement of existing legislation and continue with the implementation of the RC.

Since July 2016, RC technical experts have stepped up their work in these countries. The target of their programme is to increase social protection and limit environmental damage by extending the available information on alternatives to conventional pesticides. The preservation of natural resources stands at the very helm of FAO’s undertaking to support nations through policy advice, analysis and the provision of technical assistance.

“We know that the global population is growing rapidly, and with it the demands placed on agriculture. This is why the sustainable intensification of agriculture is so important. Working towards safer alternatives to hazardous pesticides is part and parcel of achieving this,” said FAO Programme Officer for the RC, Elisabetta Tagliati.

Building safer rural communities

In Cabo Verde, interviews with the heads of 100 rural families found that less than 30 percent of those consulted used protective clothing while coming into contact with pesticides. Moreover, islanders were not legally bound to possess licenses to handle pesticides and 96 percent of respondents said they had never been asked to show a license to buy the chemicals.

“The first line of defence is a healthy agro-ecosystem. Pesticides and chemicals should not threaten the welfare, health or lives of farmers and their families,” said FAO’s Country Representative in Cabo Verde, Rémi Nono Womdim.

Cabo Verde is widely seen as a success story among island nations for its adoption of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methodology as fostered by FAO’s Farmer Field Schools (FFS). The schools involve a group-based learning process that has been utilised by a number of governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international agencies to promote IPM since it was developed some 30 years ago.

A high use of pesticides was also noted in Guinea-Bissau where over 80 percent of the 200 rural families surveyed said they did not use protective equipment while handling pesticides. Moreover, nearly 90 percent had no knowledge of the available alternatives.

Again, on the island of São Tomé, of the one hundred rural families approached as part of the study, almost 70 percent said they did not wear protective clothing while applying pesticides. Furthermore, some agricultural workers described feeling ill following exposure – a factor deemed especially concerning given the lack of adequate access to healthcare dedicated to intoxications and poisoning incidents.

Farmers on São Tomé however, said that they were using alternatives to pesticides in large part thanks to the island’s rich biodiversity. Manipueira – which is a liquid extract from cassava roots – was cited as being more efficient than chemical farming methods for its possible multi-purpose use as an herbicide, fungicide, insecticide as well as a bio-fertiliser.

“Manipueira has many functions. It helps soils preserve their natural nutrient content, and, it can also be used as a fertiliser, an insecticide as well as helping to combat pests,” said one farmer.

Partnerships for progress

FAO is calling for urgent action to be taken to secure the future and food security of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) against the disproportionate effects of climate change. The Organization warns that those heavily dependent on climate-sensitive sectors such as fisheries, tourism, and agriculture bear the brunt of climate change and rising sea levels although they contribute the least to it.

Those Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) that are also classed as SIDS, face a series of shared problematics spanning from increasing productivity in a sustainable way while diversifying agricultural production to enhance resilience in food and nutrition. Boosting communities’ capacities to use pesticides safely while encouraging the use of alternatives is key to protecting their livelihoods.

The evidence collected by the RC and its partners will be used to boost collaboration between Portuguese-speaking African countries to establish political and diplomatic consultations and ultimately to contribute towards strengthening Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs)

A drastic reduction in pesticide-use is essential as it generates social, environmental and economic benefits, while contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In May, governments and stakeholders from all over the world will meet at the Conference of the Parties (COPs) in Geneva, Switzerland, to take decisions on chemicals and waste. Adapting farming methods to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals is a global challenge and will be top of the agenda.

May 2017 – China has stepped up its efforts to protect human health and environment from certain hazardous pesticides and chemicals both globally and nationally over recent years.

China was one of the first parties to submit import responses for all of the chemicals listed under Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention (RC). In 2015, in a further show of progress to notify other countries over potential dangers, it submitted five notifications for Final Regulatory Actions (FRAs) for industrial chemicals that were banned or severely restricted by the government due to their potentially harmful effects. So far this year, it has made seven notifications for pesticides and one for an industrial chemical, with subsequent submissions anticipated. 

“The importance of China’s proven commitment to prevent the unwanted trade and exchange of information over hazardous chemicals cannot be underestimated. By submitting import responses and notifications, it plays an active part in promoting shared responsibility among nations. China has demonstrated its’ willingness to be a responsible trade partner,” said FAO Agricultural Officer for the Convention, Yun Zhou.  

The RC was initially inspired by a North-South dilemma in which wealthier countries with bans on certain life threatening chemicals continued to sell them abroad. The Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure gives parties the power to take informed decision as to whether they wish to import certain hazardous chemicals and exporting parties are legally obliged not to trade those chemicals contrary to the importing countries’ decisions. Sharing information through the Convention is widely viewed as key to letting other parties know which chemicals are regulated and why. It also allows less advantaged importing countries to learn by example on how to manage toxic chemicals throughout their life cycle.

Advancing environmentally friendly practices

China remains a major producer, user and exporter of pesticides and chemicals, and the government has continually pledged to invest resources and infrastructure to reduce their risks to humans and the environment. This engagement comes despite the challenges of juggling the need to maintain rapid economic development in a sustainable manner.

In November 2016, China’s Environmental Protection Ministry hosted a series of national training workshops, with the aim of strengthening science-based decision-making, in particular in relation to risk assessment capacities. The Ministry of Agriculture, the Rotterdam Convention Secretariat and the European Commission (EC) have each pledged to maintain the momentum of the positive collaboration already initiated.

“We are in the process of formulating national chemical legislation which is fundamental for the reinforcement of the sound management of chemicals. At this very moment we are looking forward to receiving continued technical assistance from the RC Secretariat and to regular exchanges of policy and practices with developed countries,” said China’s newly appointed Designated National Authority (DNA) for the RC, Chief Engineer, Ding Qiong.

As the world’s most populous nation, with a strong economic growth over recent decades, China’s active participation in the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions (BRS) significantly contributes towards a detoxified world, the theme of this year’s Conference of the Parties (COPS 2017).

Earlier this month, FAO Director-General, José Graziano da Silva, took part in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, a meeting focused on the initiative called, "One Belt, One Road", which sets out to expand development and trade links between Asia, Africa, Europe and South America.

FAO believes that agriculture is not only important for generating sustainable livelihoods, but also essential for ensuring food and nutrition security, preserving natural resources and biodiversity, and for promoting rural development.

China supports FAO’s South-South Cooperation programme, which has benefitted over 30 countries and produced strong impacts in developing countries.

Establishing the necessary infrastructure and capacities to manage chemicals soundly is indispensable to ensuring similar successful partnerships are upheld.