Project Update August 2021
The project “Disposal of Obsolete Pesticides including POPs, Promotion of Alternatives and Strengthening Pesticides Management in the Caribbean” is presently being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Coordinating Group of Pesticides Control Boards of the Caribbean (CGPC) in 11 countries of the Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.
Safe disposal of POPs and other obsolete pesticides and PCBs
Technology transfer of methodologies for identification and remediation of contaminated sites
Development of systems to manage empty pesticides containers
Strengthening regulatory framework and institutional capacity for sound management of pesticides
Promotion of alternatives to chemical pesticides
PROJECT OBJECTIVES/ COMPONENTS
In our fifth edition of Caribbean Pesticide Management News, we will feature some updates and exciting news in the world of pesticides management in the region. Our aim is to keep you informed about project developments quarterly and to provide valuable “info-bits”! Here is some information about happenings from February 2021 to July 2021.
Empty Container Management
AGRIVALOR-Guadeloupe continues to work with pesticide regulatory authorities and relevant stakeholders in Barbados, Dominica and Guyana to gather information on current empty pesticide container disposal practices and in consultation with them, to develop actionable recommendations for environmentally-sound disposal or recycling. The Covid-19 pandemic has prevented travel and face-toface meetings, interviews and discussions, but it has also presented the opportunity to collaborate and execute the necessary activities, virtually.
A total of 216 male and 47 female farmers participated in the survey. The preliminary results show that approximately one third of participants have difficulty reading the labels on pesticide containers. The reuse of and triple rinsing of containers after use varies across countries with some figures as high as 12% of farmers reusing empty pesticide containers and only 15% rinsing after use. The issue of repacking of pesticides into inappropriate and unlabeled containers is a significant issue, with 33% of farmers reporting buying pesticides in their original containers. Across the countries, there are less than satisfactory for the disposal of empty pesticide containers which have not been triple rinsed and may be considered as 'hazardous waste'. Improper disposal practices could easily lead to unintentional human exposure and to environmental contamination by pesticides residues. This underscores the importance of triple rinsing. This means that all options available to farmers lead to environmental contamination and potential human exposure. DID YOU
KNOW?
The Pesticide Inspector Manual being developed under the project contains guidance on gender mainstreaming.
Alternatives to Pesticides
The survey was carried out in Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica from January – February 2021 employing a PAN UK Phone Health App which is farmers and pesticide currently under development, to capture the health operators and farmers impacts of pesticides used in pest and disease participated management during vegetable production. The survey collected information on: Types of spray equipment & PPE used during the handling of pesticides; Training received on use of PPE; Crops- pests/disease combinations that require high application of pesticides; Reports of signs and symptoms of acute pesticide poisoning; Number of work days lost due to acute health effects of pesticides and the frequency of consultations with medical professionals for treating symptoms of acute pesticide poisoning.
542
Tomato, cabbage and sweet pepper required more frequent application of pesticides Insects pests viz., whiteflies, aphids, thrips, armyworm; Diseases viz., root rot and wilt diseases and Weeds, were mentioned in the use of more quantity of pesticides
only 24%
of the pesticide operators trained in use of PPEs At the time of the survey, for the preceding 12 months, 47% of participants reported feeling unwell within 24 hours after application of pesticides
only 36%
of the pesticide operators trained in use of PPEs
28%
did not use any form of PPE when handling and applying pesticides
12%
of the farmers reported wearing chemical resistant clothing 22% of the female farmers and 15% of male farmers reported feeling ill within 24 hours after handling or applying pesticides
3% of participants reported severe symptoms and signs of pesticide poisoning and 45% experienced mild to moderate symptoms
The toxic symptoms most frequently experienced were skin irritation, dizziness, tingling, numbness of skin and headaches
The survey helped identify some pesticides with reportedly high incidences of poisoning symptoms and signs. The survey also revealed that some of these pesticides are applied at an average of 60 times per year. The findings of current survey emphasize the need to devise plan to reduce the use of high toxic pesticides and highly hazardous pesticides at regional and national level. The plans should include the training of pesticides operators on use of PPEs; development and adoption of crop and pest specific integrated pest management strategies; educating farmers on pest biology, early diagnosis and identification of pest damages to avoid overuse of pesticides. Research should be conducted on safe alternatives to help phase out and replace highly toxic and hazardous pesticides.
As part of its continued effort to assist the Caribbean to move away from the use of highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs), the FAO has been supporting efforts to identify less hazardous pest/disease management strategies that may be viable alternatives to the use of HHPs. A current effort is focused on assessing the efficacy of the “food spray” technique as a potential tool for use in the management of pests affecting vegetable crops in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. The preliminary results in Jamaica indicate there was 46 to 80% more natural enemies observed in food spray plots when compared to other plots. The natural enemies most frequently observed were Assassin Bugs, Vespids, Dragonflies and Spiders. In Trinidad and Tobago the
application of biological pesticides viz., neem and biophyt were included along with the "food spray" treatment to assess their efficacy against pest incidence in cabbage and tomato. To harbour and attract natural enemies, sunflower plants were established at the borders of each plot. "Food spray" recipe (Benin food spray) was prepared using the brewery waste from Carib Brewery and corn seeds. Preliminary results show a significant growth enhancement and pest suppression in cabbage plants that received food spray and biophyt applications. The observations on plant growth and pest incidence in both experimental trials continue to assess the efficacy of alternatives to HHPs in pest management. Field testing is expected to be completed in October 2021.
Jamaica’s Virtual Stakeholder Engagement Session on Alternatives to HHPs took place on 4 May 2021. The session was facilitated in collaboration with the University of the West Indies, Mona. The presentation reported on the findings of two surveys: Farm practices related to pesticide container management in Jamaica Health impacts associated with pesticide use in farming communities in South Manchester and St. Elizabeth, Jamaica
Click to download materials from session!
Trinidad and Tobago's stakeholder engagement webinar took place on 14 May 2021 in collaboration with FAO, the Faculty of Food and Agriculture, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine and Pesticides and Toxic chemicals, Ministry of Health, Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The webinar was attended by 80 participants representing research, training and extension divisions of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, CGPC contact points, Agricultural Society of Trinidad and Tobago, farmers and pesticide operators.
At the 16th Virtual Meeting of the CGPC held on 3rd March 2021, the Pesticides Action Network – UK (PAN-UK) presented a draft regional and national highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) risk reduction plan, which was endorsed by the CGPC. Those risk reduction plan are currently undergoing an more “in-depth” review to determine which steps can be actually implemented at the national and regional levels.
Strengthening Regulatory Framework and Institutional Capacity
The English version of the Model Pesticides Legislation was shared with project countries, the Organization for Eastern Caribbean States Commission (OECS) and the Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM) for their review and possible adoption/enactment. In the meanwhile, the model was translated into Spanish and modified to suit the legal system in the Dominican Republic, where it was recently shared with the Ministry of Agriculture via the FAO Representation in the Dominican Republic.
The CGPC and CAHFSA are considering how to continue the work of the regional pilot TWG to evaluate applications for pesticide product registration, using the FAO Pesticide Registration Toolkit. The pilot TWG operated during the period January – December 2020 and was able to review 7 pesticide product applications and conduct 3 meetings, 2 which were virtual due to the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Not all countries in the CGPC have the technical capacity to review pesticide product application dossiers. Despite most pesticide Registrar
and technicians receiving training in the use of the FAO Pesticide Registration Toolkit, it is not used by most countries in day to day activities. The Toolkit provides desktop support to pesticide Registrars and technicians in developing countries to evaluate pesticide registration application dossiers, which include highly technical information relating to chemistry, biology, ecology, toxicology and antidotes, where available. The TWG provides an initial review which can then be followed up by countries as required, also with the assistance of the TWG.
The CGPC together with FAO are exploring the possibility of conducting follow-up online refresher training on the FAO Pesticide Registration Toolkit and to include newly developed modules. This follow-up training is expected to include in-depth training on various modules which are considered to be priority in the Caribbean, such as human health, consumer risk and environmental threats. We are also exploring the possibility of a one or two day training on bio-pesticides for regulators in the region.
A consultant is currently reviewing the report and is also in the process of preparing working papers for submission to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED)- Agriculture for this to be considered in October 2021.
The 16th Virtual Meeting of the CGPC took place on 3 March 2021. During this meeting the Chair was passed from Ms Carmen van Dijk of Suriname to Ms Trecia David-Garnath of Guyana. As mentioned earlier in the newsletter, a presentation on the draft Regional Risk Reduction Plan was made by PANUK and endorsed by the CGPC. A presentation on "Addressing Pesticide Self-Poisoning in CGPC member Countries" was made by Mr. Mark Davis of the Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention and an update on the FAO Regional Pesticide Project was given by Mr. Guy Mathurin.
The 6th Project Steering Committee Meeting took place on 15 June 2021. Mr. Mathurin presented on the status of project implementation. Due to the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the delays in implementation, a proposed work plan for the period July 2021 to January 2022 was prepared along with a request for a project extension to complete outstanding activities. Project countries endorsed the workplan and indicated their support for the project extension.
As I address the CGPC for the last time as chair, it is my hope that we keep the organisation alive and continue the great work started under the FAO Caribbean Pesticide Management Project. Let us remain unified in support of the new chair as we move forward. -Carmen van Dijk, former chairperson of the CGPC
319 tonnes of obsolete pesticides stocks from 11 project countries and 54 tonnes of PCBs contaminated oil and equipment from 4 project countries safeguarded and exported for environmentally friendly disposal 69 persons from 17 Caribbean territories trained on assessment and management of contaminated sites Soil Technician Manual in final stages Data collected on Empty Container Management and disposal practices 101 Pesticides Inspectors from 11 countries trained using Draft Regional Pesticides Inspectors Manual Model legislation developed
The 17th Virtual Meeting of the CGPC took place on 14 April 2021. Countries briefly shared their 2021 work-plans and initiatives for sound chemicals management. Countries were reminded of the ongoing project terminal evaluation and were encouraged to provide information as requested. Participants considered possible plans for Pesticide Awareness Week 2021.
The terminal evaluation for the project has been taking place over the past few months. During that time, project partners and stakeholders have been participating in virtual interviews with the evaluation team. Information required by the team has been summitted as requested.
The 18th Virtual Meeting of the CGPC took place virtually on 21 July, 2021. The meeting commenced with a presentation by Dr. Therese Yarde on an FAO project entitled "Programme for Capacity Building related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements in ACP Countries- Phase 3". This was followed by a presentation of a Concept Note for a proposed project between the CGPC and Centre for Suicide Prevention (CPSP), University of Edinburgh on preventing suicide through the use of pesticides. A few themes for upcoming Pesticide Awareness Week 2021 were put forward for consideration. Finally, the Chair provided an update on regional representation at the Conferences of the Parties for the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions.
Visibility Several themes were considered during the 18th Virtual Meeting of the CGPC. Potential themes arising from these discussions were compiled and countries voted via a google poll for their preferred theme. Based on the majority vote, the theme for pesticide awareness week 2021 is: Choose! Use! Alternatives to Toxic Household, Agricultural and Public Health Pesticides for a better life and environment. Our Actions are our Future!! Ideas for leaflets, posters and info-graphics can be shared with the FAO Caribbean Pesticide Management Project via email to firhaana.bulbulia@fao.org.
Plans for a CGPC Website are underway. The website will highlight the work of the CGPC as well as be a repository of information and resources related to pesticide management,
DOWNLOAD NOW The FAO Caribbean Pesticide Management Project along with the Belize Pesticide Control Board created a Pesticide Formulation Poster. For a print version of this poster or for translation to other languages, please contact firhaana.bulbulia@fao.org
DOWNLOAD NOW To mark the end of the project and share the work accomplished over the past 4 years, The FAO Caribbean Pesticide Management Project has published a 2021-2022 calendar capturing activities over the duration of the project. Copies have been posted to all project countries. For print versions, please contact firhaana.bulbulia@fao.org
Women Leaders in Pesticide Management in the Caribbean The Caribbean boasts several women leaders in Pesticide Life-Cycle Management, with 9 countries of the CGPC having women who head Pesticide Regulatory Authorities. In a field often dominated by males, the perspectives and unique experiences of women are important to adopting a gender perspective in pesticide management. The FAO Caribbean Pesticide Management Project caught up with two of these leaders in pesticide management to better understand their roles in safeguarding human and environmental health. The full feature will be published during the upcoming Regional Pesticide Awareness Week. Please find two snippets below to peak your interest!
Suriname
“The most difficult challenge is to change the way of thinking. We often hear persons say that their ancestors used pesticides for many years without using protective equipment and lived for many years, so why should we spend money on protective equipment or not mix pesticides?”
“For years we were thinking about how to get rid of these obsolete pesticide stores, the hurricane destroyed our storage units, and this became a renewed priority for importers and farmers who wanted to build back better in terms of the proper storage of pesticides.”
Dominica
CONTACT US: Caribbean Pesticide Management Project FAO Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean 2nd Floor, United Nations House Hastings Christ Church Barbados 1(246) 426-7110 fao-slc@fao.org firhaana.bulbulia@fao.org