Report on the Situation of Highly Hazardous Pesticides in Uruguay

This report presents findings of a study conducted by Red de Acción en Plaguicidas y sus Alternativas para América Latina (RAP-AL) Uruguay between December 2019 and May 2020. The study aimed to review the international context and the situation in Uruguay regarding Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) in accordance with the new criteria developed by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Health Organization, and the Pesticide Action Network International List of Highly Hazardous Pesticides.

After analyzing the international context, the report presents the general features of the national pesticide market, the business organizations it is comprised of, the authorities with the power to regulate and supervise, as well as the regulatory framework and procedure authorizing registration and marketing.

Furthermore, it includes information regarding the extensive use of these chemicals and the impact they have on human health, as a consequence of occupational exposure and accidental or deliberate intoxication.

The report concludes with recommendations for the phase out of HHPs and promotion of the use of alternative, non-chemical approaches such as agro-ecology in agricultural practices in Uruguay.

It relates to Sustainable Development Goals 2, 3, 6, 8, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

Special thanks to IPEN's Latin America & the Caribbean Regional Coordinator Fernando Bejarano and Regional Hub RAPAM for their important contributions to the development and finalization of the project.