Most governments have adopted legislation to regulate the distribution of pesticides.
But even in case of a functioning legal framework coupled with stringent penalties,
non-compliance is widespread. Often shops are attended by unskilled personnel; banned or unregistered
pesticides are sold and often pesticides are repacked or decanted or stored close to food.
It is often also possible to find labelling written in the wrong language,
that fails to provide data on the active ingredient, application, date of manufacture or safe handling of the chemical.
Unregistered products continue to find their way on to markets without quality control. Concerted efforts by
regulators, retailers and the public are needed for bring about change.
Resources
To check retail distributionYou can use the ‘Guidelines for retail distribution of pesticides’ with particular reference to storage and handling at the point of supply to users in developing countries available at:
http://www.fao.org/ ag/ AGP/ AGPP/ Pesticid/ Code/ Guidelines/ Distribution.htm
How to check pesticide labels?
You can use the ‘Revised guidelines on good labelling practice for pesticides’ (1995). See: http://www.fao.org./ AG/ AGP/ AGPP/ Pesticid/
The PAN ‘List of Lists’
Many pesticides have been found to be harmful to human health or the environment. With the PAN UK briefing ‘List of Lists’ you can identify these. See:
http://www.pan-uk.org/briefing/list of lists 2005.pdf
You want to know which pesticides are banned or severely restricted in your country?
- Visit the PAN North America website at: http://www.pesticideinfo.org
- Ask your government. If you do not know which ministry is responsible for registering pesticides or implementing the FAO Code of Conduct ask at: http://www.fao.org/ ag/ AGP/ agpp/ Pesticid/ Default.htm
Suggestion for Action
The violation of standards for pesticide handling in retail outlets often happens due to lack of information and/or awareness. Sometimes it already makes a difference if you inform the staff about regulations (for support material see left).- Back to tasks of governments
- Back to tasks of food industry
Message
... from the market
"Farmers have limited information on pesticides and rely to a large extent on recommendations
from pesticide dealers. Labels of pesticides are often not specific enough for farmers to apply
the product properly and effectively. It is common practice among pesticide dealers that they repack
a large proportion of pesticides for sale without proper labelling."
Source: Pesticides Use and Policies in Ghana. Gerken A. et al., Pesticide Policy Project Hannover, May 2001, Publication Series, No. 10
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