Spacer

 

Google Translate

IPEN

A Toxics-Free Future

Donate

Donate

Highly Hazardous Pesticides

National Public Awareness Activities in Kazakhstan

“Greenwomen” Analytical Environmental Agency conducted a comprehensive awareness raising project on mercury pollution in Kazakhstan. Certain areas of Kazakhstan, such as the River Nura, the city of Temirtau and the Pavlodar chemical complex are heavily impacted by mercury contamination. As part of this activity numerous methods were employed to spread the message about mercury pollution among stakeholders including the public, NGOs, media and government.

Awareness raising in schools on SAICM and chemicals

The NGO Association du Reseau Mediterraneen Pour le Developpement Durable (AREMEDD) organized a series of SAICM-related awareness generating activities throughout Tunisia from February to October 2010. These activities, which included the active participation of local NGOs, involved educating students about the dangers of lead in paint and mercury in used batteries, farmers about the adapting alternatives to pesticides, and representatives from the iron and steel industries about the impact of heavy metals on biodiversity.

The future of IPM in Croatia

Institut za ruralni razvoj i ekologiju (IRRE) held a public seminar and produced an 8-page booklet to help Croatia’s agricultural stakeholders move towards complying with a recent national law mandating the practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Through this seminar and accompanying booklet, farmers and other relevant stakeholders were educated about the tenets of IPM including fertilization and plant stress, crop rotation, soil health, and pesticide waste management.

Monitoring on Advertisements and Distribution of Restricted Pesticide in Indonesia

Continuing their research on highly toxic pesticide use in North Sumatra and Central Java, Gita Pertiwi conducted an overall assessment of the current pesticide situation. This assessment used survey, interview, and observation methods to document the types of pesticides currently in use, how they are used, and the health effects on those using them. In addition, Gita Pertiwi also conducted market research exploring the advertising and selling practices of distributors and local vendors of pesticides.

Organizing the Multi-Stakeholder National Workshop on Use of Chemical Pesticides in Agriculture: Reality and Way Forward towards Phasing-out Hazardous Pesticides from Bangladesh

A workshop was conducted by OSHE to assess the current uses, hazards, policies, and regulatory frameworks regarding the use of pesticides within the Bangladeshi agricultural community. Workshop participants were given information about alternatives to pesticide use, including the implementation of IPM practices. The meeting activities resulted in formal recommendations about how targeted stakeholders could minimize or phase-out the use of hazardous pesticides.

Understanding & Phasing out of Pesticides in Small Scale Farming in South Africa

In 2010, the NGO groundWork (Friends of the Earth South Africa) convened over 65 farmers from around the country who expressed a desire to educate themselves about the safe handling and proper use of pesticides. Over the course of two days, participants took part in educational sessions that included guided tours of farms practicing permaculture and organic practices. Other interactive discussion sessions featured conversations about basic workplace safety.

Contributing to training in IPM and safe occupational practices in support of improved implementation of the Code

A 3-day workshop was organized by Cameroon Pesticide Action Network to raise awareness about the FAO Code of conduct on the production, distribution and use of pesticides. Topics included a general background on pesticides, dangers of pesticide use on humans and the environment, pesticides registration in Cameroon, alternatives, the IPM concept and its implementation in Cameroon, etc. Civil society, Farmers' Associations, pesticides importers and distributors and government representatives attended.

Situational Analysis of Morogoro Hotspot Area in Tanzania for Persistent Organic Pollutants

A situational analysis of POPs in the Morogoro Hotspot Area was conducted by Tanzania Association of Public Occupational and Environmental Health Experts (TAPOHE) in 2011. Participatory survey methods including desk review, in-depth interviews with key informants, focused group discussions and participants’ observations were used to collect data. Additionally, soil and biota samples (plants) were collected for pesticide chemical analysis. Findings from the situational analysis confirmed that Morogoro is one of the most DDT (and other obsolete pesticides)- contaminated sites in the country.

Introducing Code of Conduct In Order To Reduce The Environmental and Health Risks From Pesticides

In order to promote the FAO Code of Conduct and elimination of hazardous pesticide use in favor of more sustainable agricultural practices, AWHHE surveyed farmers and citizens in 4 villages to determine their awareness levels about and use of pesticides. Thereafter they organized a series of discussion groups with residents, farmers, youth groups, and local government officials to discuss the results, as well as distribute Armenian-language educational materials they hd drafted.

Civil Society Participation in CONASQ – National Commission on Chemical Safety

In an effort to improve participation and collaboration among organizations and individuals concerning the SAICM Global Plan of Action, Associação de Proteção ao Meio Ambiente de Cianorte (APROMAC) pushed an explicit chemical implementation agenda at three consecutive meetings of Brazil's National Committee on Chemical Safety (CONSAQ). Additionally, they created a special webpage on their website focused solely on SAICM, which also provides monthly bulletins on SAICM issues.