ENVIRONMENT > MOLDOVA
Pesticides, a dangerous heritage After the fall of the Soviet Union, many of the successor www.enpi-info.eu states discovered a dangerous heritage on their territories: warehouses storing (mostly) unusable pesticides and chemical fertilizers. According to estimates by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the reserves of outdated weather-resistant chemical pollutants in the region amount to 200,000 metric tons. Today, an EU funded project implemented by the FAO is investing €7 million to help these countries eliminate the hazards connected with outdated pesticides. An EU Neighbourhood Info Centre journalist visited one of these storehouses, and sends us this report. Text by Dmitri Kalak Pictures by AFP © EU/Neighbourhood INFO CENTRE
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Moldova is an agrarian country. During Soviet times, thousands of tons of chemicals N Drums of pesticides in a warehouse. were used annually for pest control. In those days, chemicals were distributed centrally and were cheap. Every kolkhoz had its storehouses for pesticides and fertilizers, which were often used unreasonably, according to the principle of “the more, the better”. Valentin Pleshka, an Environment Ministry office manager for control over resistant organic pollutants, says: “The problem of pesticide use began to be taken seriously in Moldova only 15 years ago. We carried out a preliminary store inventory, determining the scale and the cost of the works. The situation was terrible. In the small territory of the Republic we discovered 350 storehouses. Of these, many were ownerless, partly crumbled down, with nobody guarding them. The wind and rain brought about contamination of soil, water and air.” EU Neighbourhood Info Centre Feature no. 138
Storehouses on fire
One such storehouse is in the territory of the Pashkan settlement, Kriulyan region. Ion Savchuk, a representative of the state security system, is reluctant to open the doors of the old building: there is a sharp, acrid smell coming from inside, which in a couple of minutes makes your eyes water and your head ache.
This is a series of features on projects funded by the EU Regional Programme, prepared by journalists and photographers on the ground or the EU Neighbourhood Info Centre. © 2014 EU Neighbourhood Info Centre
EU Neighbourhood Info Centre – Feature no. 138
N Rodika Iordanov - national coordinator in Moldova.
“By the end of 2008, all of the 3,350 tons of pesticides in Moldova were accumulated in 37 storehouses. Now there are 1,280 tons left, accumulated in 15 storehouses”.
Pesticides, a dangerous heritage
Dionis Urytu, the vice-chairman of the region, takes us away from the entrance. “There are over 250 tons of pesticides stored here. This is a priority problem for the region, which must be solved as soon as possible. In 2009 and 2012 self-ignition of pesticides occurred here. At that time, many people suffered from the pungent smoke. They tried to block the national motorway demanding urgent measures for the disposal of the storehouse contents. This is a real headache for us, both in the concrete and metaphorical sense of the word.” The actions taken under the EU/FAO project in Moldova include pesticide re-packaging and transportation from the storehouse, with further utilization. According to Rodika Iordanov - national coordinator in Moldova - international tenders are currently being invited to select a company that will carry out the works in Pashkan, as well as in two other countries. Coordinated efforts by the countries of the region are helping to accelerate the works, save resources and exchange valuable experiences. This, among other things, is what the project is aimed at. In March 2014, a regional workshop was organized in Chisinau attended by representatives from the countries involved in the EU/FAO project. Over three days, the participants discussed the situation in different countries, exchanged their experiences and analyzed the actions undertaken, and got useful information on the effect that pesticides may have on disadvantaged population groups. One of the discussions was concerned with the need to develop legal measures for pesticide control and dangerous waste utilization. The venue was chosen on purpose. Moldova is close to eliminating all chemical pollutants from its territory. This country was one of the first to realize the scale of ecological hazard that comes from old pesticide stores. In 2002, a roadmap was developed to provide for chemical pollutant control and their elimination. Among others, it involved appealing to foreign partners for support, including not just funding, but also consulting, organizational and technical services.
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“The problem of pesticide use began to be taken seriously in Moldova only 15 years ago. The situation was terrible”
No more pollutants by 2015 There are several projects for pesticide utilization currently running in Moldova. Many of them are in some way using support from the European Union institutions or Member States, but also from international organisations like the World Bank, NATO, and the OSCE. Some other funds have been assigned from the state budget and the National Ecological Foundation. Valentin Pleshka says: “By the end of 2008, all of the 3,350 tons of pesticides in Moldova were accumulated in 37 storehouses. Now there are 1,280 tons left, accumulated in 15 storehouses. We hope that by 2015 Moldova will be completely cleared of dangerous pollutants.” The implementation of the EU/ FAO project in Moldova is being planned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Vice Minister Serdgiu Getsiu stresses the significance of European support in solving the problems of chemical waste utilization in general. “Without the help of our colleagues from the EC and FAO, as well as other partner countries, we would not be able to cope.
N Ion Savchuc, pesticides warehouse guard.
EU Neighbourhood Info Centre – Feature no. 138
“You can use pesticides correctly, but if you do not know what to do with the empty packaging, you can get into trouble”
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Pesticides, a dangerous heritage
Pesticide utilization is an expensive treat. Besides, in Moldova there are no specialized companies and conditions for liquidation of chemicals on site. We have to remove them, and this would be difficult without the good will of our neighbours from the European Union. Everybody understands the significance of this problem both for us and for the region on the whole.”
What to do with empty packages? Besides the utilization of outdated pesticides, the project aims at raising awareness within national bodies about modern methods of chemical management in agriculture, with the aim of minimizing the risks for farmers and consumers. “You can use pesticides correctly, but if you do not know what to do with the empty packaging, you can get into trouble,” says Rodika Iordanov. “Because of the lack of knowledge or the need to economize, people will use this packaging for keeping food products, or re-use it for fake chemical production. The project is aimed at eliminating hazards for all population groups, especially the disadvantaged ones.” The work is bearing fruit. According to the information confirmed by Serdgiu Getsiu, in the past Moldova used around 40,000 tons of pesticides per year. Now, the amount is limited to 4-5,000 tons – ten times less. The reason is not only the advent of a market economy and higher prices: the population is becoming better informed, and the administration more intolerant to environmental pollution.
N Outside view of a pesticides warehouse.
Clima East Project: Sustainable Management of Pastures in Georgia www.fao.org/agriculture/crops/news-events-bulletins/detail/en/item/215431/icode/?no_cache=1
It is estimated that over 200,000 metric tonnes of obsolete pesticides are stored in the region and large amounts of pesticide continue to be used in food production. This regional programme aims to act as a catalyst for the improved management of obsolete pesticide and hazardous waste. The EU has allocated €6 million in support of this initiative. The project is implemented by FAO in partnership with national and international NGOs. FAO is also providing a contribution of €1.1 million in support of the project. The project is currently operational in Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova and Ukraine. To find out more EU Neighbourhood Info Centre project fiche: www.enpi-info.eu/maineast.php?id=36653&id_type=1&lang_id=450 FAP press release: Making communities aware of risks from pesticides www.fao.org/agriculture/crops/news-events-bulletins/detail/en/item/218461/icode/?no_cache=1 EU Neighbourhood Info Centre Thematic portal : ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE www.enpi-info.eu/themeeast.php?subject=6
EU Neighbourhood Info Centre An ENPI project The EU Neighbourhood Info Centre is an EU-funded Regional Communication project highlighting the partnership between the EU and Neighbouring countries. The project is implemented by Action Global Communications.
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