The 23rd Joint Meeting of Pesticide Specifications (JMPS) Meeting took place from 11 to 15 June, 2024 in Wageningen, Netherland. The meeting brought together experts from FAO and WHO to work in global pesticides standars. Mr. Guibiao Ye, FAO JMPS Secretariat and Mr. Schuler Dominic, WHO JMPS Secretariat co-chaired and open the meeting.

Mr. Ye appreciated the great efforts and achievements of the experts involved in the discussions: “JMPS plays an important role in mitigating pesticide risks, promoting sound lifecycle management, and contributing to FAO’s strategic framework of better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and better lives—leaving no one behind.”

During the five-day meeting, participants evaluated 12 FAO specifications, 20 WHO specifications and 6 FAO/WHO specifications.  They reached consensus and discussed guidance documents and technical issues such as revision of operational manual on specification for chemical pesticide. They also drafted a new operational manual on specifications for microbial pesticides, reviewed data requirements to support specifications for formulations (reference specifications / equivalences, classical formulations / complex formulations). At the end, the workplan of JMPS for the next 3 years was finalized, laying the groundwork for future advancements.

Following the JMPS meeting, the 19th Joint CIPAC/FAO/WHO Open Meeting and 68th Technical Meeting, were organized on 17-20 June in Wageningen. These sessions focused on discussing analytic methods for pesticide specifications. Experts evaluated 15 analytical methods for 17 pesticides and impurities, discussed updates to CIPAC guidelines and addressed the replacement of obsolete methods.

One of the key highlights of the events was the newly published "Manual on Development and Use of FAO and WHO Specifications for Microbial Pesticides." Experts and stakeholders widely welcomed the manual, which offers practical guidance on setting microbial pesticide specifications and ensuring the quality control of biopesticides. The publication is expected to play a big role in minimizing pesticide risks to human health and the environment while supporting global food security efforts.

The round of sessions and events concluded with a renewed commitment to improving pesticide standards and safeguarding both human health and the environment.