Article 8. Distribution and trade

• 8.1 Governments should:
  • 8.1.1 develop regulations and implement licensing procedures relating to the sale of pesticides, so as to ensure that those involved are capable of providing buyers with sound advice on risk reduction and efficient use (26);
  • 8.1.2 take the necessary regulatory measures to prohibit the repackaging or decanting of any pesticide into food or beverage containers and rigidly enforce punitive measures that effectively deter such practices;
  • 8.1.3 encourage, to the extent possible, a market-driven supply process, as opposed to centralized purchasing, to reduce the potential for accumulation of excessive stocks. However, when governments or other agencies purchase pesticides, the procurement should be based on established FAO tender procedures for pesticides (4);
  • 8.1.4 ensure that any pesticide subsidies or donations do not lead to excessive or unjustified use which may divert interest from more sustainable alternative measures.
• 8.2 Pesticide industry should:
  • 8.2.1 take all necessary steps to ensure that pesticides entering international trade conform at least to:
    • 8.2.1.1 relevant FAO (22), WHO (23) or equivalent specifications (where such specifications have been developed);
    • 8.2.1.2 principles embodied in relevant FAO guidelines on classification, packaging, marketing, labelling, procurement and documentation (3, 4, 26);
    • 8.2.1.3 rules and regulations laid down by the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (35), and by international organizations concerned with specific modes of transport (e.g. ICAO4, IMO5, RID6, ADR7 and IATA8).
  • 8.2.2 endeavour to ensure that pesticides manufactured for export are subject to the same quality requirements and standards as those applied to comparable domestic products;
  • 8.2.3 ensure that pesticides manufactured or formulated by a subsidiary company meet appropriate quality requirements and standards. These should be consistent with the requirements of the host country and of the parent company;
  • 8.2.4 encourage importing agencies, national or regional formulators and their respective trade organizations to cooperate in order to achieve fair practices as well as marketing and distribution practices that reduce the risks posed by pesticides, and to collaborate with authorities in stamping out any malpractice within the industry;
  • 8.2.5 recognize that a pesticide may need to be recalled by a manufacturer and distributor when its use, as recommended, represents an unacceptable risk to human and animal health or the environment, and act accordingly;
  • 8.2.6 endeavour to ensure that pesticides are traded by and purchased from reputable traders, who should preferably be members of a recognized trade organization;
  • 8.2.7 ensure that persons involved in the sale of pesticides are trained adequately, hold appropriate government licences (where such licences exist) and have access to sufficient information, such as material safety data sheets, so that they are capable of providing buyers with advice on risk reduction and efficient use;
  • 8.2.8 provide, consistent with national requirements, a range of pack sizes and types that are appropriate for the needs of small-scale farmers and other local users, in order to reduce risks and to discourage sellers from repackaging products in unlabelled or inappropriate containers.
• 8.3 The procurer (government authority, growers' association, or individual farmer) should establish purchasing procedures to prevent the oversupply of pesticides and consider including requirements relating to extended pesticide storage, distribution and disposal services in a purchasing contract (4, 36).

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