Pesticides Management Pesticides Management

CODE OF CONDUCT on distribution/use of pesticides &

Harmonization of pesticides registrationFAO Pesticide Management GroupPlant Protection Service (AGPM)

International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides

New Featuresof the

Revised Version of theCode of Conduct

The Revised Version of the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and

Use of Pesticides

Code now available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French and Spanish

http://www.fao.org/agriculture/crops/core-themes/theme/pests/pm/code/

Code of Conduct

Established in 1985, amended in 1989 to include the PIC-procedure, revised at the end of 2002;

Is the globally accepted standard for pesticide management by all stakeholders, i.e. governments, industry, public interest groups and farmer organizations;

Is a comprehensive approach to improve pesticide management

Considers pesticide management a part of chemical management as well as sustainable agricultural development;

The Revised Code of Conduct

Provides the framework for a complete management infrastructure that covers pesticides throughout their life-cycle;

Addresses all areas of pesticide management, through supporting manuals and guidelines (production, product quality, distribution, sale, use and disposal);

Provides, through standard-setting, a point of reference, in particular for governments and the pesticide industry;

Applies to all public and private entities involved in pesticides matters;

The Revised Code of Conduct

Focuses on risk reduction, protection of human and environmental health;

Requests for adherence to relevant Conventions and international standards;

Strengthens the responsibilities of the major stakeholders, i.e. governments and pesticide industries;

Encourages strongly the involvement of farmers organizations, NGOs and others to look for alternative pest management solutions, in particular biological control methods, by applying IPM strategies;

Emphasizes the importance of monitoring and compliance with the provisions of the Code.

The Revised Code of Conduct

Adopted at the 123rd Session of the FAO Council, November 2002 (with the authorization of the Thirty-first Session of the FAO Conference), i.e. by all FAO member countries,

Consists of 12 articles,

Annex 1 includes the reference to international agreements and instruments,

The references provide specific guidance and guidelines,

Public interest groups have committed support,

CropLife International has made adherence to the Code a condition for its membership.

Article 1: Objectives of the Code

Expands the list of stakeholders,

Stresses the role of training on all matters related to pesticide management,

Incorporates the life-cycle-concept,

Promotes Integrated Pest and Vector Management (IPM and IVM)

Makes specific reference to the Rotterdam Convention.

Article 3 and 4: Pesticide management and Testing of

Pesticides

Stresses the importance of IPM and the need to develop less toxic alternative pesticides,

Addresses the relevance of application methods and equipment to reduce risk during application.

Calls upon governments exporting pesticides and IGOs to assist developing countries,

Highlights post-registration surveillance and monitoring studies under field conditions.

Article 5: Reducing health and environmental risks

Specifies surveillance and monitoring activities

Minimization of exposure and collection of empty containers,

Proposes to industries to halt sale or recall products when handling or use pose an unacceptable risk,

Takes up proposals for protective measures for pesticide plants.

Article 6: Regulatory and technical requirements

Reflects today’s procedures for registering pesticides,

Makes reference to FAO/WHO pesticide specifications and the determination of equivalence,

Requests for extensive data collection on export, import, production, etc

Article 7: Availability and use

Stresses that restrictions to the availability of pesticides are an important factor to reduce risk,

Points out the joint responsibility of governments and industry regarding packaging and labelling of pesticides,

Suggests the prohibition of import, sale and purchase of pesticide products falling into WHO classes Ia and Ib.

Article 8: Distribution and trade

Stresses the need for licensing schemes for distribution and trade,

Points out to the reduction of potential for accumulation of excessive pesticide stocks through market-driven supply and reduced subsidies or donations,

Proposes improved purchasing procedures.

Article 9: Information exchange

(has undergone a total revision)

Clarifies the need for information exchange and the role of national authorities,

Encourages more transparency for regulatory processes and the participation of the public.

Article 10 and 11: Labelling, packaging, storage and disposal and

Article 11: Advertising

Gives emphasis to the importance of labelling,

Addresses the shared responsibility for obsolete pesticides and,

Multilateral cooperation to solve the problem of obsolete pesticides,

Provides precise guidance (wording) for advertisement for pesticides.

Article 12: Monitoring and observance of the Code

Strengthens the role of monitoring observance to support implementation,

Invites NGO’s, pesticide industry and other interested parties to monitor activities related to the implementation of the Code,

Reflects the shared responsibility and cooperative spirit of key stakeholders and the Code as a dynamic instrument.

In addition to the Code of Conduct, Rotterdam Convention, IPPC and to Codex Alimentarius:

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in force since 1989;

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal since 1992;

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, since 2004 into force.

Other International Undertakings Other International Undertakings with Direct Implications for with Direct Implications for Pesticides, Pesticides, annex 1annex 1

CURRENT STATUS and FUTURE ACTIVITIES

Promotion and distribution of the Revised Code (seeking cooperation e.g. with new stakeholders),

Review of existing and development of new guidelines in support of the new provisions,

CropLife International and Pesticide Action Network have made full commitments in support of the Code,

Associations of generic manufacturers, e.g. ALINA and ECCA have committed their support for the Code.

New Website structure

New Information under the Code

New guidelines on the web: Guidelines on monitoring and observance of

the revised version of the Code of Conduct (New guideline)

Guidelines on efficacy evaluation for the registration of plant protection products (revised guideline)

Guidelines on compliance and enforcement of a pesticide regulatory programme (New guideline)

Outcome of the 131st Session of FAO Council, November 2006

Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) was endorsed;

The Code of Conduct an important element of the SAICM process;

The need for the agricultural sector to be fully involved in the SAICM process;

Outcome of the 131st Session of FAO Council, November 2006

FAO Council suggested that the activities of FAO could include risk reduction, including:

Promoting good agricultural practices, Ensuring environmentally-sound disposal of

stockpiles of obsolete pesticides Capacity building in establishing national and

regional laboratories

Conclusions on the Revised Code

It has a comprehensive scope and it serves as an integrative guide for all pesticide matters,

It provides a point of reference for all stakeholders involved in pesticide issues,

It supports sustainable agricultural development, it focuses on risk reduction and the protection of environmental and human health,

Pesticide management is considered a part of chemical management,

Conclusions on the Revised Code

It strengthens the establishment of partnerships between industrialized and developing countries following the principle of shared responsibility,

It supports strongly the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements related to pesticides, such as the Montreal Protocol and the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, in particular in countries with a weak infrastructure on pesticides,

It enhances strongly the application of other international instruments such as Codex in support of agricultural and economic development.

International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides

Thank you very much for your attention

Mark Davis et al.Pesticides Management Group (AGPMC)

• Plant Production and Protection Division, FAO• http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/agpp/pesticid &• http://www.fao.org/agriculture/crops/core-themes/theme/pests/en

• &

• Jan Breithaupt• Pesticides Management Group (AGPMC)

Pest- and Pesticides Risk Reduction TeamPlant Production and Protection Division, FAO

• http://www.fao.org/agriculture/crops/core-themes/theme/pests/en/