FAO's work in Mozambique has led to the development of a Highly Hazardous Pesticides guide

08 May, Geneva- Supported the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Mozambique has taken "important regulatory measures" to protect its population and environment by cancelling the registration of 79 "highly dangerous" pesticides (30 active substances).

The National Coordinator of the Highly Hazardous Pesticide and Obsolete Pesticide Hazard Reduction Programme, Khalid Cassam, attended on 3 May this year in a event at the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam, Stockholm and Basel Conventions held in Geneva , where he shared with more than 60 participants from different countries and international organizations, his experiences on banning Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) in the country, demonstrating Mozambique's compliance with Article 2 and Article 5 of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent on the import of pesticides.
FAO's work in Mozambique has led to the development of a Highly Hazardous Pesticides guide (http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5566e.pdf) to help countries, especially the least developed countries to Identify HHPs, their assessment and mitigation, as well as to highlight the importance of legislation on pesticides, risk assessment and the need to registry the pesticides.

We spoke with the national coordinator of the FAO Obsolete Pesticide Removal Project, who told us about this experience.

-After the action taken to ban the highly dangerous pesticides, what is the country stage now?
The situation tends to improve for the reason that since banning these pesticides risks to the user's health, third parties, consumers of agricultural products and the environment is reduced because less harmful pesticides are now being used. However, because similar measures have not yet been taken by neighbouring countries, there have been illegal imports of these products, as banning has made these products that are pleasant to farmers become a business opportunity for informal vendors. Thus, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MASA) now has a major challenge in jointly with the Tax Authority (customs) to prevent the entry of these products with severe punitive actions. On the other hand, it is essential that through the South African Pesticide Registration Forum (SAFREF), the SADC Pesticide Registration Forum take steps to implement regional measures in this direction. It is important to mention that the subject is already under discussion in the region.

-What was the Mozambique contribution in the elaboration of this guide produced by FAO?
Mozambique was used as a pilot phase. Indeed, after Mozambique started with the Highly Hazardous Pesticide Hazard Reduction project carried out by FAO in partnership with MASA, FAO at headquarters level found that similar work had never been done in the world, so Mozambique was the pioneer in this approach. Thus, the idea arose, based on the experience of Mozambique, to develop the script to help other countries follow suit. There are currently some countries in the region doing similar studies such as Botswana and Malawi.

- Why can the case of Mozambique be used by other countries as a model?
Because pesticides are toxic and those that are highly dangerous pose an increased risk that has caused numerous health and environmental problems. Developing countries authorize the registration of certain pesticides due to lack of conditions to make a good assessment at the time of registration, which then, due to lack of or inexperience of the farmers, are used indiscriminately and without due protection, risking not only the health of the applicators, but also of the people who are close to the sprayed fields, as well as the consumers of agricultural products, through waste. Their use also results in a risk to the environment as they can damage the ecosystem, contaminate rivers, lakes or even natural reserves, and eliminate natural enemies of pests and organisms useful for agriculture.

- What is the link / relation of this measure taken by Mozambique with the international conventions leading pesticides?
Mozambique is a signatory of International Conventions leading pesticides such as the Rotterdam Conventions on Prior Informed Consent Information on Pesticides Imports, the Stockholm on Persistent Organic Pollutants and the Basel Convention on the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste, as well as the Protocol Of Monte Real on substances that damage the ozone layer, and as such has obligations to fulfil.

In this regard, and in order to comply with Article 2 of the Rotterdam Convention, Mozambique had to examine this issue of highly dangerous pesticides and ban them. In this way, it also complies with the one emanated by the Stockholm Convention. Because of this compliance, Mozambique has received applauses from many countries as it becomes one of the few if not the only one in Africa or in the World (especially in developing countries) to take a decision to ban this type of products.

- Can you refer to the benefits to the country, farmers and general public of the work that was done by FAO to ban HHPs pesticides?
As I said earlier, the immediate impact is to switch to less toxic or less hazardous pesticides and hence the advantages can be deduced, as people are less exposed to high risks. The environment is more protected, which will allow future generations to enjoy good agricultural fields, a healthier and safer way contributing to a better standard of living. The country will surely save on health care resources in recovering patients contaminated with pesticides. The eradication of HHP pesticides also contributes to better position the country in trade in agricultural products by increasing its market opportunity.

-What must be done from now on?
Now we must work on monitoring and evaluating the impact of the measure taken to see if it is having the desired effect or whether farmers are experiencing difficulties in pest control. Less toxic and dangerous alternatives should be promoted for farmers to switch to using these products. Ideally, more integrated pest management programmes and awareness campaigns should be implemented for farmers on pesticide precautions.